





-> 



-- <- .- -y <- 






























>y 



























^5- 












< 



■2*, 



V 



^ 















































































































































1* « $ 









\* 









">v 










































-<# 



^ 






' 

































^ 


























































































































































cm^rV0~~H/i-\^ 




HISTORY 



OF 



GIBSON COUNTY 



INDIANA 



HER PEOPLE. INDUSTRIES AND INSTITUTIONS 

BY 
GIL R. STORMONT 



With' Biographical Sketches of Representative Citizens and Genealogical 
Records of Many of the Old Families 



ILLUSTRATED 



1914 

B. F. BOWEN & CO , Inc. 
Indianapolis. Indiana 









DEDICATION 
This work is respectfully dedicated to 

THE PIONEERS, 

long since departed. May the memor} of those who laid down their burdens 
by the wayside ever be fragrant as the breath of summer 
flowers, for their toils and sacrifices have made 
Gibson County a garden of sun- 
shine and delights. 

/ ¥ / if 

3o t> y* 



,/ 



PREFACE 



All life and achievement is lorn comes from past 

and present commercial prosperity onh from past exer- 

tion and suffering. The deeds and motives of the men that have 
have been instrumental in shaping the destinies of later communities and 
states. The development of a new country was at once a task and a privi- 
quired great courage, sacrifice and privation. Compare the pres- 
>n- of the people oi County, Indiana, with what they 

wen- one hundred ;. I rom a trackless wilderness and virgin land, 

it has come to be a center of prosperity aiKl civilization, with mill 

ems i if rail rial instil ndid indus- 

tries and immei cultural and mineral production any think- 

person be insensible to the fascination of the study which d 

and efforts of thi laid the founda- 

upon which has 1 een reared the i 
per; pie and to trace and >lit- 

and industrial pi unit)' fn mi 

i of the local historian. re purpi - 

irs that i. and which uni 

the motive for the I he hist< >rical 

ind under the personal 
aluable collection and will pr 
t'p die present generation, bul timable worth to future historian 

the result of patient t"il an 

red to make thi 
th him, the publishers di 
their ei. illy valuable and info departmenl 

I heir worth, ell 
ment. The publishi their thank- to the gentlemen who 

thfully labored t" thi- end. Th; 

■r the uniform kindness with which they ha 



PREFACE. 

[his undertaking and for their many services rendered in the gaining of 
necessary infi irmation. 

In placing the "History of Gibson County, Indiana," before the citizen-, 
the publishers can conscientiously claim that they have carried out the plan 
as outlined in the prospectus. Every biographical sketch in the work has 
been submitted to the party interested, for correction, and therefore any error 
of fact, if there be any, is solely due to the person for whom the sketch was 
prepared. Confident that our effort to please will fully meet the approbation 
of the public, we are, 

Respectfully, 

THE PUBLISHERS. 



CONTENTS 



CHAPTER l GEOL< iGY \\n I i >1 RAPHY 25 

Stal —Surface of the County — Timber— Soil — Min- 

erals — Agricultural Possibilities — Bituminous Coal — Natural G ' 
tr< ileum — Altitude. 

CHAPTER [I— INDIAN OCCUPANCY 32 

Indians in G mnty — Indian Titli ! ed— Burnin an Vil- 

apt Jacob Warrick — Appearance of White Men. 

.PTER III— EARLY SETTLEMENT OF GIBSO \TY 37 

hi County's First Settler — Other Pioneers — David 
ib — Hargrove, Milburn, Mel cry Families — The Woi 

Family anil Others Prominent in tlie Early Life of the Community — P 
neei s — Early Cabin F and Recreations. 

VPTFR IV— ORGANIZATION OF GIBSON COUNTY 64 

The Bi rnment— County Organized in 1813 — i 

gai ti into Townships — Locating the County Seat — Naming 

["own its -Early Newspaper Notice. 

M'TKR V— COUNTY GOVERNMENT 71 

Various Forms of Local Government — Pro. of Early Courts and 

Provisions for Roads — Constables — Ferry Licenses — 
1813 — Firs) Board of County Commissioners— Jus the 

ce — Whipping Post — Various Proceedings of the Commiss 
nty Board of Fustices, Fol by the Commissio 

ol thi Pal if Union Township — Court Houses— Jail 

the I ' I '.i\ ibles < "ountj '- 

■ 

I II \i' 

irders — 
nty Treasurers — County Auditors — Sheriffs — County 
Sin ■ aisers I 

dent of Schools. 

VII- R VILR( I VDS WD TRA 93 

W Embarrassed in 

Work— i i mpletion of the I anal lit and P 

The Know-nothin 
Irish and \i : McTurl 

— Thi Southern Raid Terre Haute Railroad — Evansville 

ton Trac- 
tion 1 • lern Raili 



CI INTENTS 

PTKU VIII— AGRICULTURE IN GIBSON COUNTY 110 

Importance of Agriculture— Quality of Soil and Adaptability of Land — Farm 
Statistics— Agriculture Thirty Years Ago— Gibson County Agricultural and 
Horticultural Society — Fairs — Gibson County Fair Association — Boys' Corn 
Show — Prize Winners. 

CHAPTER IX— GIBSON COUNTY NEWSPAPERS 120 

The First Journalistic Venture, the Princeton Chronicle — Democratic 
Clarion— Early Advertisements and Newspaper Notices — Gibson County 
Leader and the Clarion-Leader — Princeton Courier — Other Newspapers of 
Bygone Days — Owensville Star — Baptist Messenger — Oakland City Journal 
— Fort Branch Papers — Other Ventures. 

CHAPTER X— EDUCATIONAL INTERESTS 132 

Firsl I onstitutional Provisio Gibson County Scl ' ne Hundred 

-Old-time Schoolmaster and His School — Early Courses of 
Study — Newer Methods and Betl r Text-hooks — County Seminaries Em 
lished by Legislature — Vote on Free School Question — School Laws — Semi- 
naries Abolished — Description of Early Schools — School Statistics for 1884 
and 1913 — School Examiners, Commissioners and Superintendents — Oakland 
City College — Schools of Princeton — The Seminary Period — Princeton 
Academy — Private Schools and Academies — Princeton Female High School 
— Graded School Period — Present Educational Conditions — High School 
Enrollment. 

CHURCHES OF GIBSON COUNTY 154 

i haracter of Pioneers — Methodism in Gibson County — Presby- 
terian Churches of the County — Fairview Church — Cumberland Presbyterian 
Churches — United Presbyterians — Reformed Presbyterians — A Proud War 
Record — Baptist Churches — General Baptists of Pioneer Days — Christian 
Churches — Catholic Churches — The Evangelical Church — Colored Churches 
-Other Religious Societies. 

CHAPTER X! I— MEDICAL MEN OF THE COUNTY 176 

:ences by Dr. W. W. Rlair — Early Doctors — Other Physicians — 
Physicians at Owensville — Medical Societies — List of Physicians X 
ticing in the County. 

I EIAPTER XIII— THE BENCH AND BAR ' 182 

h Standard of Indiana's Judiciary — Circuit Judges — Gibson County 
irts — How a Juror Outwitted a Bailiff — Personal Mention of Our Judg 
— Circuit-Riding Attorneys — Interesting Sessions of the Court — List of 
Lawyers — Vincennes University Litigation — Attorneys at the Gibson Coun- 
ty Bar in 1914. 

CHAPTER XIV— SECRET SOCIETIES OF THE COUNTY 198 

Free and Accepted Masons — Princeton Masonic Temple — Royal Arch 
Masons — Knights Templar — Independent Order of Odd Fellows — Knights 
Pythias. 

I ER XV— MILITARY HISTORY OF GfBSON COUNTY 204 

The Spirit of the Early Settlers in Gibson- County — Indian War of 1811— 
Batl [Tippecanoe— Death of Capt. Jacob Warrick— Roster of Gibson 



I s. 

can War — Black Hawk War — Ri 

lutionary War — The Civil Wa Various 

in Which Gi lint} Men Enlisted — The 

litribution the Wai 

11 War. 

\1> RAILRO \D IX Gl 
An Interesting Topic in Marly History of the County — I 

ncklin's Miss Ending — Slave Hunters — An 

A". irk — How Reubi (1 — 

Montgomery to the Ri - 

CHAPTER XVII— PATRIOTIC OR ', 245 

rmy of the Repul in and Growth — Decoratioi 

(Hits' <ira\. Its Past Commani partment 

fifth Anniversary— Other P 

rails. 

mu- 

nt — An I 

— How a V. il 

m a Hill 

in 

- 

In- 



CONTENTS. 

dustries of Princeton — Great Fire of 1893 — Municipal History of the City — 
Banking in Princeton. 

CHAPTER XXIII— PATOKA TOWNSHIP 339 

Organization — Boundaries — -Bald Hill — Early Settlements — Tecumseh's Con- 
spiracy — First Schools. . 

CHAPTER XXIV— MONTGOMERY TOWNSHIP 342 

How Named — Location — Early Settlement — Pioneer Experiences — Owens- 
ville — Origin. Platting and Incorporation — Early Merchants — Business In- 
terests — Banks. 

CHAPTER XXV— JOHNSON TOWNSHIP 347 

Original Extent — Present Area — Natural Features — Early Settlement — 
Indian Scare — First Schools — Haubstadt — Municipal History — Business In- 
terests — Bank. 

CHAPTER XXVI— UNION TOWNSHIP 353 

Youngest Township in the County — Surface — Soil — Fort Branch — Business 
Directory — Public Utilities — Banking Interests. 

CHAPTER XXVII— BARTON TOWNSHIP 356 

Location — Organization — Early Settlement — First Events — An Early Un- 
punished Crime — Somerville. 

CHAPTER XXVIII— COLUMBIA TOWNSHIP 359 

Boundaries — Earliest Settlers — Oakland City — First Events — In 1913 — Town 
Officers — Business Interests — Banks. 

f'ii \PTER XXIX— CENTER TOWNSHIP 362 

Location — First Settlers — Francisco — Incorporation — Present Officers — 
Reminiscences of Early Days — Killing of Worrell — Militant Women Dur- 
ing War Days — Getting the Daily News. 

CHAPTER XXX— WHITE RIVER TOWNSHIP 371 

Boundaries — Early Mills — Drainage — First Settlers — Patoka — Smithville. a 
Remarkable Town — Present Patoka — Business Interests — Defunct Village 
of Port Gibson — Hazelton — Commercial History. 

CHAPTER XXXI— WASHINGTON TOWNSHIP 379 

Natural Features — Boundaries — Pioneers — First Events — An Amusing Inci- 
dent — Buena Vista. 

CHAPTER XXXIT— WABASH TOWNSHIP 382 

Early Description — Organization — First Events — Early Settlement — Soil. 



HISTORICAL INDEX 



A 

\ Bluff Thai Failed to Work. 239 

Act < Organizing County - - 65 

Agricultural Society - _ 11-' 

Agriculture — 110 

i rulture in the Eighties 111 

Altitude 31 

Appi 91 

Archer Family 52 

Archer Post No. 28, G. A. R. 

Assessors - 91 

Aud mnty 90 

B 

Banking in Princeton .. 337 

itisl i huri hes I'** 

l'.art. 'ii Township 356 

Bee Hunting - !lKI 

Buckskin 313 

ch and Bar - 182 

>ur Railroad - 

Well at Somerville 311 

Black Hawk War. . 208 

371 

Blair, Dr VV. W., Reminisi 176 

I I amily ''1 

Boys' ' "rn Show 11" 

Braselton Family 

Bridge Tolls 

Buckskin, Beginnii 313 

Buena \ ista 381 

Burning of Indian Village 33 

62 

! 

ilic < Ihurchi - 171 

1 ownship 362 



in Count) Government 78 

i Sketches - — 284 

, II 32 

I holera Epidemics 271 

C hristian Churches 170 

Church History 154 

City of Princeton 321 

Civil War 209 

i lay Deposits 

90 

26,28 

: rum Post No. 520, G. V R. 255 

Colli ■ iunty 89 

ir< d ( Ihurches - - - 174 

i Township 359 

9,91 

rs, First Count) 75 
Company I". ! ond Indiana. 

Monument 268 

Constables, First 73 
Constitutional Convention Dele- 

- - 74. SO 

n Show, Bo) -' 117 

' K) 

nty Clerk- 90 

S9 

s, 1 itst 75 
■ ty 1 >i\ id. d into Townships 

County Fairs 113 
nty Finances 

rnnient 71 

i mil, nt i i 78 
| i 

rders Oil 

ntj s ' at I 

intj S< minaries 137 

i lounty Supcrinten 
nt) Sun eyors 
■ ■ 
nty Valuatii in 

188 



HISTORIC \L INDEX. 



Court, Fir^t Term of 66 

rt Houses 81 

Covenanters, Religious Habits of 291 

I rops 111 

Cumberland Presbyterian Churches 158 

Cyclones 305 

D 

Daughter;- of American Revolution— 258 
Delegates to Constitutional Conven- 
tion - ^ 74. 89 

Doctors at Owensville 179 

Doctors. Early 177 

Doctors in 1884 178 

Doctors in 1914 181 

Duncan Family 350 

E 

Early Court Customs 188 

Early Doctors 177 

Early Hospitality 61 

Early Industries. Princeton 332 

Early Lawyers 189 

Early Market Prices 302 

Early Marriages _„ 301 

Early Newspaper Notices 123 

Early School Text-books 136 

Early Schools 133,140.292 

Early Settlement 37 

Early-time Wedding Ceremonies 281 

Early Tax Items 75 

Educational Interests 132 

Eightieth Indiana Regiment 218 

Election Results 87 

Elevations 31 

Embree Family 59 

Escapade of Boys 285 

Evangelical Church 173 

Evans Family 49 

Evansville & Princeton R. R 105 

Evansville & Terre Haute R. R 103 

Exciting Slave Hunt 233 

F 

Fairs 113 

Fairview Church 157 

Farm Statistics 110 

Ferry Licenses 7i 



Fifty-eighth Indiana Regiment 214 

Fifty-eighth Regiment Monument-, 265 

Finances of County 86 

Fire of 1S93, Princeton 335 

First Constables 73 

First County Commissioners 75 

First Court House 82 

First Events in Princeton 323 

First Jail ' 83 

First Justices of the Peace 75 

First Laid-out Road 72 

First Legal Hanging 306 

First Newspaper 120 

First Settler 37 

First Term of Court 66 

Flat Boating 306 

Flood Figures 319 

Flood Waters 317 

Fort Branch 353 

Fort Branch Banks 355 

Fort Branch Newspapers 131 

K"rty-second Indiana Regiment 212 

Francisco 363 

Francisco Baptist Church 165 

Free and Accepted Masons 198 

Free Schools 139 

G 

Gas. Natural 29 

General Baptists. Early 167 

Geology 25 

Getting War New- 369 

Gibson County Companies in Civil 
War 215 

Gibson County Fair Association 115 

Gibson County Medical Society 180 

Gibson County Newspapers 120 

Gibson County Organized 64 

Gibson County Soldiers 221 

Gibson County Soldiers' Monument 263 

Gibson. Gen. John 64 

Graff, Dr. George B 112 

Grand Army of the Republic 245 

Grist Mills, Early 315,371 

Gt'dgel Family 60 

H 

Hanging, First Legal 306 

Hargrove Family 44 



\l. INDEX. 



Harrington Familj 52 

Han' 351 

elton 377 

Hazelton Railroad Wreck 



Historical [tems 

■ ii.ility of Pioneers 61 

Hundred Years of Scho ry~ 132 

I 

Independent I 201 

Indian Occupancy 32 

Indian Relics 33 

Indian Scare +> 

Indian Village Burned ... _. 33 

Indian War of 1811 
Fndianapolis & Evansville l\ R. 

Irish-American Combat — — - 97 

J 

Jail 83 

• -mi Family - - 43 

["ownship - 347 

fudici v; 182 

Juror Outwits Bailiff - 184 

J pi!. ty -. - 182 

Justices of the Peace, First 75 

K 

Kidnappit 236 

Killing of Worrell ... 

Knights of Pj thi: - 203 

Knights Templar 199 

Know-nothings 97 

L 

Lawyers, Early 189 

Lawyers in 1014 ._. 

Liberating Negro Slaves 297 

Library, Princeton 

71 

County Seal 67 

M 

Mi I 'lure Family ... 46 

Mi M isti r's Praj i rs, Faith in 312 
McTurbon, I 



M 

on Home 

31 12 
Mai i rlj 301 

r 

- 
Medical Histoo 
Med 

■■rial Daj 

Memi irii - i if a 

Methodist Epi 154 

Mexican War 

Miami Indians 32 

Milburn -15 

Military 204 

Mills, Caleb 

. 315,371 
Misi 

Miscellaneous Items 296 

Montgomery Family 47 

Mon Tow nship 342 

Mounts Familj 54 

Municipal Hi 336 

N 

Xai mty 

Naming of Princeti i <s,}22 

Natural Gas 

Navigation of Patoka — 79 

Neighborhood Retrospi I 

Newspaper History . 120 

Notable Military Record -"'4 

,n<l City 
Oakland City Banks 
Oakland i - 144 

Oakland City Newspapers 130 

Fellows 201 



Kirk's Mill 
■ >|.l Grisl Mills 315,371 

13 < 
Hundred Forty-third Indiana 

i ■ i 220 

Hundred Thirty-sixth Indiana 
Regiment 



HISTORICAL INDEX. 



One Hundred Twentieth Indiana 

Regiment 219 

Organization of Gibson County 64 

Organization of Wabash Township 382 

Owensville 343 

Owensville Banks 345 

< Iwensville Newspapers 130 

< Iwensville Physicians 179 

P 

Panther Disturbs School 316 

Passing of Old Survey Marks 308 

Patoka 372 

Patoka, Navigation of 79 

Patoka Township 339 

Patriotic Orders 245 

Petroleum Oil Fields 29 

Physicians, Early 177 

Pioneer Cabin 62 

Pioneer Customs 61 

Pioneer Industries 313 

Pioneer Mills 300 

Pioneer Schools 133, 140,292 

Plats, Village 303 

Political History 87 

Poor Farm 85 

Population Statistics 296 

Port Gibson 376 

Pottawatomie Indians 32 

Presbyterian Churches 156 

Present Court House 83 

Present Jail 84 

Present Lawyers 196 

Presidential Election Results 87 

Press, The 120 

Princeton 321 

Princeton Academy 146 

Princeton Banks 337 

Princeton Chapter. D. A. R 258 

Princeton Early Industries 332 

Princeton Early Merchants 325 

Princeton Female High School 149 

Princeton, Fire of 1893 335 

Princeton, First Events 323 

Princeton High School 152 

Princeton, How Named 68 

Princeton Laid Out 68 

Princeton. Municipal History 336 

Princeton Named 322 

Princeton Newspapers 1 120 



Princeton Postoffice 327 

Princeton Public Library 328 

Princeton Sanitarium 327 

Princeton Schools 145 

Proud War Record 161 

Public Library, Princeton 328 

Public Square 84 

R 

Railroads 93 

Recorders 90 

Reformed Presbyterian Churches 159 

Religious Habits of Covenanters 291 

Reminiscences of Mrs. Ralston 50 

Representatives 89 

Revolutionary War Soldiers 208 

Road, the First Laid-out 72 

Robb Family 40 

Roster of Militia, 1811 205 

Royal and Select Masters 200 

Royal Arch Masons 199 

S 

Sale of a Negro Girl 296 

School Commissioners 143 

School Development 137, 141 

School Disturbed by Panther 316 

School Examiners 143 

School Statistics. 1884 141 

School Statistics, 1914 142 

Schools 132 

Schools. Free 139 

Second Court House 82 

Second Jail 84 

Secret Societies 198 

Seminaries, County 137 

Seminary Period 146 

Senators. State 88 

Seth Concklin 224 

Settlement, Early 37 

Settlement of Barton Township 356 

Settlement of Center Township 362 

Settlement of Columbia Township — 359 
Settlement of Johnson Township__ 347 
Settlement of Montgomery Town- 
ship 342 

Settlement of Patoka Township 340 

Settlement of Wabash Township 3X2 

Settlement of Washington Township 379 



HISTORICAL INDEX. 



the Firs! . 37 

nth Indiana Regiment 210 

37 

Shawnee Indians 32 

90 

th Indiana Regiment 217 

J.'J 

Slai I'rick 



25 

Monumi nts 



311 

_'i 1 1 
ilroad - mi 

105 

American 

22S, 231 
14-4 

S i i r \ ounty 



" ' 1 "' 


nrly 

Thii 

_'l 1 

aphy 

Tow 



Trackwell. Chief 32 

Transportation 

icherously Kidnappi 240 

Treasurers, -Count} 
Twenty-fourth Indiana -Ml 

U 

Underground Railroad 224 

L'nion Township 353 

L'nion Township, 

Unit . . 159 

Unpunished Crime 

V 

110 

Vill 303 

193 

Visii 

nty in 1856 

W 

Wai 

Wat 

Whit .171 

Will 
Win 

51 



BIOGRAPHICAL INDEX 



A 
Adams, James W . l" ;i1 

■ i 

t A. ... .. 

Anderson, Philip M. 470 

And M. D. "-'4 

uthnot, John 941 

Archer, David 

Archer, Samuel II. 

Arn i 

Armstrong, Pinkney S. - 828 

A-.li in K 51S 

B 

636 

Hal! 

Barnett, W. A 1042 

5 , Herschel 1... M. I). 

Beloat, James I 

Bennett, [saac K. .. 788 

Benjamin F. .. .. 798 

I'., nson, Luthei 513 

fohn II. 

rohn - .. 1036 

1 . 45S 

Bingham, G. B 
Bingham, William B. 740 

Binhack, 543 

Bin! 

Black. Jam.- \. 

Blair, William W . M. D. 404 

Boren, Thomas J 

} rr. Henry J. . 

Bras tnuel F. 

Broadwell, Henry 
■ .mi. Arthur F. 
.mi. John I.. 
Brownli 
Bruner, fames \Y. 



Bucklin, M 

Hurt, .n. A. R., M. D. . . 

Bui ■ 419 

Mull. 

Butler, John I 

I 

Carithers - 436 



ter, Virgil R., M. D 683 

y, W illiam P .. 743 

rum. James 1 [. 

■A - 
krum, William M. 

i 'i. I, •mail. Mars eld M 
W 

Co* P 

ne, Thomas 
.. ford, Theodore W 
swell, W. I 427 

Vnderson I . 446 

.• ( . Mr-. Martha V 
ningham, Joseph W 
ningham, James W . 

man. Milton 

D 

I lank-. Josi I'll ' 

Da> 

William P. 
Depi 

DePrii st, William II. II. 
Deul 

I 



BIOGRAPHICAL INDEX. 



E 

Eisler, Michael 

Embree, Elisha 183, 472 

Embree, Lucius C. 4/2 

Emerson, Charles X. 561 

Emerson, Columbus 578 

Emerson, James V. 561 

Emmerson. Lemuel 667 

Emmerson, Lemuel O. 768 

Emmerson, Vivian H. 822 

Ennes, William 1017 

Ervin, John R. 508 

Eskew, Cyrus N. 728 

Ewing, Fred R. 536 

Ewing, John W. 536 

I- 

Finch, J. W. 991 

Fisher, Wilbur F. 410 

Forbes, George 529 

Ford, Alfred S. 424 

Fowler, Ephraim M. 698 

French, Simon 569 

French, Thomas H. 988 

G 

Galligan, Walter T. — 934 

Gamble, James B. 568 

Genung, Homer T. 868 

Genung, William R.. M. D. 

Goodman, John Q. A. 560 

Gorman, John C. 856 

dray, James 1052 

Greek Family 1027 

Green, Alexander D. 869 

Grigsby, Francis M. 541 

Gudgel, Harry B., M, D. 965 

II 

Hallock, Richard B. 501 

II anna, Hugh, Sr. 640 

Harmon. Harvey 423 

Harmon, John W. 693 

Martin. Joseph C. 651 

Heldt, Humphrey C. 880 

Heston, Samuel T. 922 

Hillman, James W. 1065 



Hitch, Xathaniel 510 

Holcomb. Albert G. 832 

Hollis, Bartlett B. 760 

Hollis. John J. 496 

Hopkins, Ezekiel T. 547 

Hopkins. W. G., M. D. 596 

Howe, Calvin R. 619 

Hudelson, John F. 448 

Hudelson, William C. 1030 

Hulfish, Ewin D. "— 855 

Hull, David W. I 

Hussey, Joseph D. 795 

Hussey, R. L. 1038 

Hyneman, William 1011 

I 

Ingle, David. Sr. 416 

Irwin. Elizabeth 720 

Irwin, Isabella 720 

J 

Jenkins, Robert A. 702 

Johnson, Benjamin F. 779 

Johnson, George W. 834 

Johnson, Warrick D. 749 

Jones, Franklin 7/4 

Jones, John W. 1061 

K 

Kell, Landon 441 

Keneipp, George T. 709 

Kendle, Joseph R. 949 

Kendle, William D. "IS 

Kennedy, Michael M. 

Kern, Lycurgus L. 

Key, James W. 912 

Rightly, Charles 772 

Rightly, Francis J. 907 

Rightly, Josiah 907, 1019 

Kilmartin. James 770 

Kimball, J. C. 608 

King. John K. 527 

Knowles, Mrs. Mary Ann 1025 

Knowles. Nathan B. 645 

Knowles, Samuel X. 1074 

Kuester, Fred C. 930 

Kurtz. J. W. 600 






I, Willian M 412 

imuel II. 

~ I - 

I .cm is W. 

Lincoln, Elijah L. . 

:: 
William .1. 

Luhring, 

Mil liar M. 

745 
Mel lure, William M. 
M. I 1,1, rr>. \\ illiam I 

I 

Ml :» 

McGowan, .1. \\ '.. M. D 

n, Michael 537 

Mi i,i. gor, Andrew 444 

ir, John K. 
Mi K n V 

William I. 

M 
Mahan, John 454 

r. Paul "4.' 

Mai ■ nderson < i 

Mai. .in. Hugh 1033 

.■rum. John 

Mangrui V 

Mat I l I 

Ma M D 

Mauck, \li>. i 

960 

W. -- 574 

Maxam, Franklin II.. M. I > 
Maxam. Rollin .. 
Maxam. Thomas M, 



I 
Milburn, II. A. 

Mill. urn. I larv I j 

Milli J 47? 

Milkr. Charles A., M. D 
Mill.r, J, .lin H. 
Mill- 

Mill, Familj 
Monl 

Moi James R„ M. 1' 

Monl Martin A.. M I > 

,i' .1 
William 
Moore, \l.ram T, 
Morris, John I... M. 1' 
Morris, W. : 
Morrow, Jam 

1 
fsaac 1.. . 716 

M,. 

Mowry, J 851 

Mui M 

Ml.: 



X 









1!. 

I' 

I 'aimer. M 
Pari 

I 'arret t. Richard M 723 

M. H 

John K. 

Phillips, Henry I' 

Phillips, 
Pritchett, Vlfi 

William II. 590 

Pro\ idi • 

R 

■ 



BIOGRAPHICAL INDEX. 



Reinhart, Philip J. 1059 

Rembe, Henry 982 

Rickard, Edward 894 

Ritchie, John W. 660 

Ritterskamp, W. J. 611 

Robb, Eli J. 763 

Robbins, W. L. 838 

Robinson, Sylvester B. 1015 

Roby. James P. 641 

Rutter, George A. 646 

S 

Sasse, Theodore 661 

Scantlin, James M. 625 

Schafer, George 993 

Schumacher, Albert 812 

Scull, Charles S. 425 

Sebastian, Joseph 952 

Seitz, George D, 601 

Shipp, John H. 994 

Shubart, C. A. 943 

Shull, George W. 672 

Siegert, Herman 637 

Sisson, Joshua S. 428 

Sloan, John 704 

Smith. Claude A. 837 

Smith, George W. 816 

Smith, James A. 805 

Smith, John D. 840 

Smith. John W. 862 

Smith, Leander 876 

Smith. W. H., M. D. 735 

Spain. Byron S. 1047 

Spence, John A. 721 

Sprowl. James A. 408 

Stewart, James L. / 14 

Stewart. Samuel A. 544 

Stormont, David 675 

Stormont, David Riley 480 

Stormont Family 882 

Stormont, Gilbert R. 394 

Strain. George 791 

Suhling, Henry 1044 

Sumners. Richey _ 55/ 

Swan. D. H.. M. D. 989 

Swinney, Charles B. 495 

T 

Thomas. Theodore F. 842 

Thompson. Francis M. 477 



Thompson, Samuel B. 827 

Thorne, William H. 848 

Thurston. William 529 

Tichenor, Daniel N. 533 

Tichenor, Henry 535 

Tichenor, James A. 493 

Tichenor, William N. 656 

Tichenor, Willis H. 571 

Trippet, Aaron 973 

Trippet, Sanford 627 

Trippett, V. W. S. 440 

Turnage, John W. 809 

Turpin. Franklin 530 

Twineham, Arthur P. 584 

V 

Yandeveer, Simon L. 402 

Vickers, Henry C. 707 

W 

Walters. Thomas A. 824 

Wark, Thomas 720 

Waters, William A. 747 

Watson, Rev. Morris 487 

Watson, William T. 878 

Watt. George M. 756 

Weber, George 951 

Weisgerber, Edward 887 

Welborn, Francis M. 681 

Welborn, George R. 663 

Welborn, Oscar M. 385 

Welborn. William P. 899 

West, Samuel Hamilton 603 

West, William L. 397 

Westfall, Felix N. 937 

Westfall, James A. 971 

Westfall. Lowell R. 980 

Wheeler. William A. 999 

White. Harrison 654 

White, Henry 576 

White, John 904 

Whitsitt, William A. 726 

Wildeman. Charles 1064 

Wildeman. Henry 946 

Wildemann, Andrew J. 956 

Wilder, Benjamin O. 874 

Williams, John M. 914 

Willis, Cleve E. 690 

Wilm, Matthew 587 



BIOGR \l'll [< AI. I N 



Wilson, Alvin 

Wirth, I.. .nis ... 524 

Withersp 

Witherspoon, Stanford 

Witherspoon, William I'. 891 

\\ Iburn, Samuel 485 

\\ Is, Arthur B. ... . .... 814 

Woods, Samuel Hamilton 432 

Woods, William 1.. ..._ 819 



ger, Absalom - - - 733 

hum, Joseph I' -, 406 

Youngman, Jar.'. I 529 

Voungman, M rs. Sarah V. 528 

Z 
Zwissler, John A. 1013 



HISTORICAL 



CHAPTER I. 



I'llV. 



Professors Cox and Collett made state geological reports which, in 
substance, contain the following fact 

"The surface of Gibson county, in the western part, is level or mildly 

undulating. Nearly half is the bottom land and a small portion of barrens. 

i from the center and along the eastern and northeastern boundary are 

to be seen elevated plateaus, pierced by deep valleys, and covered with 

llcnt timber, as late as the nineties. The soil is generally an alluvial 
loam ai rywhere very fertile, the alluvial bottoms along the streams, 

ginating from the ordinary floods, are made up of sands and clays spread 
out by overflow, and re?t upon or against the sides of the gravel terra 
The terraces an uently next in age and rest upon or against the - 

of mere ancient alluvium < >r sand hills, which, in turn, are more recent than 
the loess clays, which superimpose the true bouli il drift. From 

the terminus of the conglomerate spur winch pierces the county like a promon- 
tory from the east, a ridge of yellow loam sets in and continues westward, 
forming the present, as it probabh I the ancient, hue <>t' demarkation 

between the waters of the Patoka and White rivers, ["his ridge was clothed 
with a magnificent growth of oak, poplar and ether valuable timber and. 
from the quality of the -ml. was formed at a time when the headwater 
the river- were rapidly cutting their channels in the sub-carboni f erous lime- 
stones i" the east, constituting a rich loam. This ridge, with like character- 
istics a- [<• -Mil and timber, i- continued from northeast t" southwest aci 
the county, constituting a broad belt of agricultural country about Prince- 
ton and Owensville. < hither- of tin- poplar -"il are -ecu even west of the 
Wabash, at and southwest of Mt. Carmel, which indicate the wayward 
course "t' the river currents then flowing through a broad, lake-like sheet 
of water at an elevation from one hundred and twenty to one hundred and 



26 GIBSON COUNTY, INDIANA. 

fifty feet above their present channels. At Buena Vista, on White river, 
extensive mi >unds surround the village. Outcrops of the rash coals were 
observed in the vicinity, and the companion limestones develop a thickness 
oi from two to rive feet. The high ridge and tableland south of town has a 
rocky skeleton, covered with lacustral loams. But above and against the 
bluffs of loess are extensive bars of beds of fluvatile sand, some of which 
obtain in different localities at an elevation of two hundred and thirty-five 
feet above the present bed of White river. These indicate the high water 
level of the ancient river. On the sides of the bluffs are occasionally found 
small beds of gravel containing a few specimens of the harder stone sorted 
from the glacial drift, surviving on account of the obduracy of material, but 
notably containing geodes and cherts from the mountain limestone at the 
headwaters of the river. The last mentioned mark the bars of low water 
line and plainly indicate the former presence of the river at these points. 
South of the Patoka powerful erosive forces have swept across the eastern 
part of the county, leaving isolated mounds, knobs and hills, monumental 
tokens of the ancient surface; but, generally, excavating the rocks to the 
depth of from fifty to one hundred and sixty feet and creating broad valleys 
or vallev plains now waterless or used by insignificant brooks. This epoch 
is dated back to the time of the glacial river and the soil to the lacustral, for 
we find that on the hillsides an ash gray soil prevails, very sensitive to 
draught or moisture, the modified or washed residual sands of the latter 
epoch." 

"It was written of this county thirty years and more ago that, owing to 
the peculiar formations, the surface deposits endow the county with a variety 
of fertile soils and insure a variety of pursuits so necessary for the social 
and pecuniarv development of the community. Stone suitable for building 
purposes is not very common. The 'Merom rock' is usually friable, and 
will soon distintegrate on exposure. Fair quarry stone is found at a point 
east of Hazelton. at Severns' Bridge, on Patoka. and near the county line. 
Stone of a much superior grade is found in the vicinity of Oakland." 

Coal of an excellent quality in abundance sufficient to supply any pos- 
sible demand occurs along the line which separates Gibson from Pike county. 

Clav, bricks and tile of a good quality can be made from material found 
in almost all parts of Gibson county. All the coals are underlaid and the 
places of the barren seams occupied by lire clays, which in the future will 
equal the coals in value. These clays are suitable for the manufacture of 
tiles, terra-cotta and potter's ware, fire-brick, etc. 



GIBSl IN C01 \ I v. [NDIANA. JJ 

A recent soil survey of this county state- that the count) has a large 
variet) of soil types, with a wide range of adaptability. All the ordinary 
crops are grown, many special crops, truck farming and fruit growing, and 
ch finds a soil especialh suited to its needs, corn along the streams and 
nvcr flats, the uplands for wheat, the sand hills for melons, etc. These soils 
all have a good degree of fertility and fertilizers arc little needed, save wh 
si ime special en >p is raised. 

The following table will show the area of the various types of -"il : 

Common loess (loam) 302 square miles 

Marl loess 10 square miles 

Lake plain >~ square miles 

Sand (lime- and ridges 30 square mile- 

Alluvial— —Upper flood plains -^ square miles 

Lower flood plains 42 square miles 

Swamp deposits ^ square miles 

SI MMAKV. 

Under the above caption, the state geologist's report on soil survey in 
Gibson county in 1909, has the following: 

"Gibson count) is in a prosperous condition agriculturally. The count) 
1- large, has great wealth, and the farming population t~<>r the m<>st part are 
a progressive people, as is evinced by the appearance oi the homes, farms 
and general conditions throughout the county. All crops are grown suc- 
cessfully. The melon industry, however, has made the county famous. A 
superior quality of melons are grown on the soils and they find a ready 
■Market in St. Louis, Louisville, Indianapolis, Chicago, Pittsburgh and other 
large markets. The sand areas were formerly considered "i' little value, but 
it the present time little can be bought at less than a hundred dollars an acre, 
and there is little desire (■> sell at any price. Three varieties "i cantaloupes 
are L:r<>un. chiefly nutmegs, netted Rockyfords and large netted. There is a 
For all these varieties. 'They .are marketed in baskets which hold 
on the average about eighteen melons and the yield is from two t" four 
hundreds baskets per acre. The cantaloupe st-as, ,n begins about July 15th 
and they bring about fifty cents per basket to the grower; later in the season 
the price drops to from twenty tii twenty-five cents per haslet. The baskets 
cost the growers about four or five cents each. Some shipments are made 
;e in the car. also hauled loose in wagons to surrounding markets, but the 



2S GIBSON COUNTY, INDIANA. 

price obtained is usually lower. In drawing to the cars the growers take 
from eighty-five to one hundred and fifty baskets at a load. Cantaloupes 
average about sixty dollars per acre to the grower. 

"Watermelons begin about August 1st. They are hauled in wagons to 
the market and about one hundred and twenty-live is a usual load. The first 
cars shipped bring the grower about twenty-two cents each. Watermelons 
average about two to three hundred melons per acre, but many fields run as 
high as seven hundred to one thousand to the acre. The principal fertilizer 
used is well rotted stable manure. The melon crop is generally plowed four 
times in cultivation and additional care is used to keep all grass out." 

"The county was formerly covered with a heavy forest growth. Some 

m1 timber yet remains and considerable tracts of small -timber are found in 

parts of the county. Practically all of the trees of this section are of value 
and those which usually indicate a good quality of soil. Fifty or more 
species may be found in any wooded tract and in some parts one class of 
trees will predominate and in other locations different species will take the 
lead. 

"The soil condition in this county should be carefully studied and a 
series of investigations made as to their needs. The soil is naturally pro- 
ductive, tint by the continual cropping the soil is depleted unless proper 
attention is given to the rotation of crops and the methods of cultivation." 

THE BITUMINOUS COAL OF GIBSON COUNTY. 

Of the thirteen coal-producing counties in this state, Gibson is within 
two of the bottom of the list, Daviess and Perry counties only producing less 
tons than Gibson, while the greatest coal-producing county in Indiana is 
A r igo, which produced in 1908, 3.490,349 tons. The same year the output 
in Gibson was only 208,654 tons. 

The 1909 state reports show that Gibson county mines employed \~i 
miners, at an average wage of $769 per year. The Oswald mines employed 
137 men inside and twelve men outside; Fort Branch mines worked twenty- 
seven men inside and a total of forty-three ; Francisco mine employed a total 
of thirteen men. 

The output of coal in the county during the last named year was : From 
the Oswald mine (now the Princeton Coal Company), 176,403 tons; from the 
Fort Branch mine, 28,926 tons; from the Francisco mine, 3,325 tons, making 
a grand total of 208,654 tons. 



til B \'TY. I X I ) I WA. 

NATURAL G \S. 

At one time the natural gas industry was one . iderable imp 

anc< bson county, but with the passing years the supply here, as well 

in most Indiana point-, has greatly diminished. In and mar Oakland City, 
in 1909, a number of wells were sunk for gas. There are numerous 

wells in the northern half of the county, hut none of -real force, hence il 
no longer spoken of a- among the notable industries in the county. 

rii 

The -tale geological report- for hid- contain much concerning the 

-on county oil field-, a portion of which the writer draws from in 
writing tin- chapter. The lirst discovery of nil in this county was in 1903, 
at lea-t that was the lir-t of any commercial value. It was -truck in a sand- 
stone varying from eight hundred and twenty to nine hundred and twenty 
feet below the surface. The history of this industry, howevi 

.1. when a subsidy wa- voted by Patoka town-hip to the Southern Railway 
Company, inducing that compam to locate their central -hop- at Princeton. 
A little before that timi William R. Wright, of Princeton, while in -card 
coal and gas, had completed a well known a- "Evans' Well." on the eastern 
the city. A considerable pressure of gas was found, which induced 
him to pipe it to tin- court house yard and hum il. so attracting public interest 
to hi- well. This event, along with the voting of the subsidy, en >me 

ind in a short lime afterward four well- were completed. Th 
however, were unsuccessful in producing am quanl Ithough the 

presence of heavy strata of coal and shale was shown. 'Three of ti 
well- were near the Evans well and one located in th of the Southern 

.\a\ -hop-. Then another well wa- located on the J. B. Hall tract on the 
we-terr I Princeton, directly south of the I vansville & Terre Haute 

railroad depot. It wa- carried down to a depth of 1,274 feet, and at 
feet a vein of coal strata measuring -i\ feet in thickm passed through; 

at 470 feet another vein wa- found and her at the depth 

o^n feet. The largest vein wa- struck at 730 feet, b 
ne--. and finally, at the depth of 1 
showing five strata 1 ne location. But a -mall amount of . 

r emitted from this well. In fact none of 1! iro- 



30 GIBSON COUNTY, INDIANA. 

duced a commercial natural gas. Ten years rolled by and nothing of import- 
ance was done in the way of sinking more wells. But in January, 1902, a 
company composed of business men in Princeton was organized and incor- 
porated as The Inter-State Oil and Gas Company. These men were the 
pioneers in the Princeton oil field and were as follows: Seth Ward, Sr., 
S. T. Heston, Eugene Criswell. G. E. Bryant, Harry Kurtz and J. VV. 
\rcher. The capital stock was $500,000, in one dollar shares. They leased 
three thousand acres of land in the vicinity of Princeton, and early in the 
spring of 1902 let a contract to drill two thousand feet, with the understand- 
ing that Trenton rock was to he reached. A bore was put down on the 
Charles Brownlee farm, south half of the southwest quarter of section 6. 
township _', range 11 west, a hall mile north of the limits of the city. Indi- 
cations of oil appeared at the depth of 869 feet, but on the workmen went 
until 1 ,020 feet was reached, when another showing of oil was discovered, 
lint this, too, was not a paying oil find and so more work was done, and on a 
day in February, 1903, after expending $5,000. the discouraged operators 
abandoned the enterprise and some time elapsed before another entry was 
made in the field. But capital and enterprise kept steadily pressing forward, 
and by the close of 1906 there were one hundred and twenty-two gas-pro- 
ducing wells, forty-four dry holes, eleven abandoned pay wells and one well 
drilling, making a total of one hundred and seventy-six wells, eighty-two of 
which yielded gas. None of these wells are large producers, hut they have 
been the source of much wealth in the county in the few years they have 
been in operation. In 1904 there were shipped from Gibson county 32,000 
barrels of oil; in 1905 there were 65,000 barrels shipped and in 1906 there 
were 103,843 barrels shipped. These wells are largely to the north and west 
of Princeton scattered over quite a territory. 

The output of the wells are largely under the control. of the Standard 
Oil Company, known here as the Indiana Pipe Line Company, who change 
the prices here in harmony with the oil markets everywhere in the country, 
hence some months the wells are more profitable than in others of the same 
year. 

This oil field extends over an area of about twelve square miles and 
lies in section 35, township 1, range 11 west, and in sections 2, 3, 10 and 11, 
in township 2. range 11 west. They are mostly all in Patoka civil township. 
The eastern limit of the field is about one and a half miles from the north- 
west corner of the corporate limits of the city of Princeton. 



GIBSON CO! N'TY, IN'IH \ V \. 



l-.l.l \ \l IONS \l'.'i\ I- SE \ I 



The following are the elevations at various points within Gibson county: 
Hill, 642 feci: Bald Ihll. 634 feet; Francisco, (.30 fi 
Branch, 440 feet; Gordon Hills, 500 feet; Haub&tadt, 473 feet; Hazelton, 
422 feet; King's Station, 463 feet; [.vies, 400 feet; Owensville, 507 feet; 
Patoka, 4-''» feet; Princeton, at the Evansville & Terre Name railroad sta- 
tion, 478 feel : Southern station in Princeton, 429 feel ; courl house, 501 feet. 



CHAPTER II. 

INDIAN OCCUPANCY OTHER RACES. 

Before the pioneer white settlers invaded the green glad solitude of 
what is now known as Gibson county, the red man inhabited this territory. 
The Indians who roamed at will over the hills and valleys of this region 
were made up from remnants of several tribes, including the Shawnee, Sacs, 
Fox, Kickapoo, .Miami and Pottawatomies. Of the Shawnee, old "Track- 
well" was a noted chief. He had a village of several wigwams located on 
Indian creek, about two miles northeast of where Princeton is located. 
The Miamis had a fort on the Patoka river and claimed ownership to a por- 
tion of the territory. As civilization approached from the south and east, 
the Indians gradually disappeared, moving westward. The forest wilds 
yielded to the axe of the sturdy pioneer and were transformed into fields of 
waving grain and corn. Long decades since the foundations of industry 
were established on the ruins of the Indian wigwam and the noise and din 
of the trades of civilized artisans have been heard where once the stillness 
of the dark, dense forests was unbroken, save by the whoop of the savage 
Indian tribes, warring one with the other. 

The Indiana Legislature requested the Congress of the United States in 
the early thirties to quiet all the Indian titles in this state. This request was 
granted and by treaty the Pottawatomies ceded to the government of the 
United States six million acres of land, all they possessed. A little later the 
Miamis, through the labors of Col. A. C. Pepper, Indian agent, sold a con- 
siderable portion of their most desirable reserves to the United States. 

In 1838 Colonel Pepper and General Tipton, with an escort of United 
States soldiers, conducted about one thousand Pottawatomies to the west of 
the Mississippi river, western Iowa getting many of the tribe, and later 
these were induced to move on to the southwestern territories. A few, how- 
ever, of both tribes lingered around their old haunts and hunting grounds, 
refusing to be consoled at their loss. But after white men commenced gath- 
ering in thicker settlements, they, too, sought the sinking sun and joined 
their brethren in the western country above named. 

While we cannot stop here to discuss a question of ethics, we may 



GIBSON COUNTY, INDIANA. 33 

sympathize with the Indian in what he has suffered at the hand of the white 
man; yet we may recollect that he, too, was a despoiler. A civilization oi 
no small pretension ited his advent, or at least his savage condition. 

Whether this civilization was thai of a distinct race, or something which 
the Indians had lost, cannot be certainly told. Certain it is, however, that what 
is now Gibson county was inhabited by a pre-historic race. Evidences of its 
existence and civilization are numerous. Specimens oi pottery, oi fair 
workmanship and artistic adornments, arc found in the mounds -which these 
ancient people, for reasons best known to themselves, threw up In some 
parts of the Mate various implements of copper have been found, the work 

these aborigines. Copper blades have been d I, tempered 

highlj as to def) the efforts of modern art. ["he Indians tied and 

Iuni- r the wooded hills and vales of G ly rem- 

nants of the Kickapoos, SI Foxes, Pottawatomies and the 

nils. I'hev were generalh friendly, seldom committing any depredations 
beyond tally stealing poultry, hogs and sheep. ' 

chief of the Shawnei veral wigwams. The town was 

here when the first settlers came in and was located on Indian creek, two 
miles northeast of P n 4, township 2, range 10. The old 

chief and his tribe were very friendly with the whites. The Miamis claimed 
ownership to a part of this locality. They had a fort on the south side of the 
a shorl distance from the pi te of the Patoka brid 

tNING OB AN INIH \N \ II I 

ckrum's Pioneer History of Indiana says oi this event: 
"The last village inhabited by the Indians in the southwestern part of 
county was located in the north* <>. township 3, 

range 12, ai tion 4, township 3, range u. two miles west of ' >wi 

ville. It was a straggling village, extending westward from the north 
corner of section 9, i^v about a mile, compos ams and built al 

the springs coming out of th< : "1 hills. 

"The Indians were driven away late in the summer or early in the fall 
of 1807, and the wigwams burned all except a few which were still there in 
1809. The village was destroyed by Capt. Jacob Warrick and others. If 
there was any fighting done -r Indians killed it was never known except by 

those engaged in it. There were verj ^ 1 reasons for their sili the 

ernmenl did not allow such acts when at ith the fndiai 

(3) 



34 GIBSON COUNTY, INDIANA. 

"Captain Warrick settled on the northwest quarter of section II, east 
of the village. Purty Old Tom Montgomery, Captain Warrick's father-in- 
law, settled nil the southwest quarter of section 12, Robert Anderson and 
M>iis settled northeast of Owensville and others were living in the vicinity 
of ( 'wensvilk ten years before the town was laid out. The men who assisted 
1 aptain Warrick in driving the Indians away and destroying their town 
were men who had settled west and southwesl of Anderson's creek, now 
Marsh creek, in the neighborhood of Owensville and probably others from 

the neighborh 1 of Princeton, seven years before Princeton was laid out. 

["he village belonged to the Piankeshaws, and the Indians who got awaj 
crossed the Wabash river into southern Illinois, which was then Indiana Ter- 
ritory. 

■'The destruction oi the village made the Indians hostile and it came 
near bringing on war. and no doubt would, had. it not been for the second 
raid across the Wabash river. 

"After the destruction of the village, the settlers found the Indians were 
coming back and prowling around in the neighborhood of nights. They also 
found that the) were going back along the old Indian trace from the bluff 
to the island, their crossing. 

"The settlers, becoming very uneasy for fear they would be attacked 
and massacred, hastily organized a company about the first of October, 
[807, all well mounted and armed. They took the old Indian trace early 
one morning for Coffee Island ford on the Wabash river. They rode across 
the ford to the west bank of the river and there held a council and laid plans 
for advancing, (aptain Warrick was to follow the Indian trace and the 
others to deploy on each side of him within hearing distance. The old Indian 
lighters were placed on the extreme right and left flanks. Robert Anderson 
and his son, Watt, were on the right and Purty ('Id Tom Montgomery was 
on the left of the line and the younger men were between Montgomery and 
Warrick and Anderson and Warrick. The orders were for Warrick to 
ride down the trace slowly and cautiously. Young Sam Anderson, with 
Warrick, was carrying a large cow's horn instead of a bugle. The signal to 
retreat, if too many Indians were found, was to be two long blast- on the 
horn and a shot from a rifle. The objective point was the 1'iankeshaw In- 
dian village located on a small stream running in a westerly direction into 
Bumpas. 

"They followed the trace to the east end of a small prairie. Captain 
Warrick and others rode into the edge oi the prairie and discovered fifty or 



GIBSON COUN rY, INDIANA. 35 

-i\t\ Indian warriors advancing easl to meet them, but out of reach of t luir 

ide back into the timber. Captain Warrick ordered An. In 
to give the retreat signal on the horn, and they retreated to the ford as 
rapidh as possible, all reaching there about the same tim il Purty Old 

m Montgomery. Captain Warrick ordered them to cross tin- ford in 
haste, but four Id Indian fighters Old Bob Anderson, hi- son Watt 

ami a few others stayed with Warrick to wait for Montgomery. Tl 
waited a- long a- the\ dared, and then crossed the river i" tin- rest of the corn- 
pan}-. They hadn't been across long when twenty-five or thirty Indian- 
came up hi the other side of the river. Then Bob \nderson -aid t.» Captain 
Wai ne tin- time.' but he was wrong; a man who had fought 

Indian- over halt' of "Id Virginia, all of Kentucky and southern Indiana 
could n iptured b? Piankeshaw Indian-. In advancing, Montgomery 

hail got too tar t" the left and awa\ in advance >>!' the line. When he In. 
the signal t" retreat he turned his horse and rode ml" the south edge of the 
prairie. When he saw that the Indians were going into the forest from the 

■ end of 'he prairie and that he was cut off from the others, he rode 
hack into the timber and rode for the river a- fast a- hi- horse would earn 
him. When he reached the river he -want hi- horse t" the Indiana side and 
rude up on the hank where he could irush at the point where 

he crossed the river, kn Indian- would come "ii the trad oi hi: 

h<>r-r 

;i or ten Indian- had followed him to ti if the water, and 

hot at them act'"-- the river. When the company at the island heard the 
shot, "Id Robert Vnderson said, 'Boys, that'- Tom's gun,' and they answered 
him. They did ti"t have t" wait long until Purt_\ < >ld Tom came riding up 
to the company as unconcernedly as if he had been "ii a deer hunt. 

"The little cru-k that the Piankeshaw villa on drained a low, wet 

irie, that since that time was named Village creek, and the prairie named 
t 'ompton prairie. 

"The Montgomery referred to in this story was the first "f the family 
t" locate in southwestern Indiana. Prom him ha- 1 the large in- 

fluential family "t Montgomerys and their descendants in southwestern In- 
diana and lllini ii 



36 GIBSON COUNTY, INDIANA. 

THE APPEARANCE OF WHITE MEN. 

Four hundred years ago this vast region known as the "Territory of 
the United State- Northwest of the Ohio River," washed by more than three 
and miles of navigable waters, was unknown to the white race. This 
region contained an area of almost two hundred and sixty-seven thousand 
square miles and had within its boundaries what are now known as the 
of Ohio. Indiana. Illinois, Michigan, Wisconsin and that portion of 
Minnesota east of the Mississippi river. It was thinly settled by numerous 
tribes of Indians who had for unknown centuries roamed at will over its 
beautiful prairies ami rich valleys, with forests and glens as charming hunt- 

'. -hin- grounds, where all was as the hand of the Creator had fash- 
ioned it. The fertile soil found in this great domain furnished these tribes 
with corn ami tobacco. The buffalo, bear, the nimble-footed deer and elk 
provided them with ample supply of meat ami clothing. The lakes and 
swift-running' streams all abounded in many fine fishes. 

Nearly a hundred and fifty years had passed after the discovery of 
America before any part of the region just named had been visited by Euro- 
peans, and then only by some few daring explorers and adventurers. 

In 1607 the English effected a settlement at Jamestown. Virginia, ami a 
year later French adventurers ' founded the city of Quebec, and from that 
dati on. for a century and a half, France and Great Britain were animated 
rivals to secure the trade and commerce of North America. The French 
settlers were nearly all adventurers, traders and religious teachers of the 
Roman Catholic faith. The English people were of the home-seeking class, 
with a goodly number of adventurers and traders. During this period the 
chief characters known now in history were the French adventurers. Joliette, 
Marquette. LaSalle and their associates. 



I II V.PTER III. 

EARLY SI I I I GIBSON C01 NTY. 

■ the present inhabitants, whose ancestoi pioneer 

county, this chapter will be of unt uterest. The mere mention of names 

and families will bring to mind some si > by father, mother 

or grandparents com the hardships endured by pioneers. Yet not all 

was hard work and trials, for the pioneer had a cheerful hearl family 

around him looked into the future with a hope that made life 

ill living even day. The simple life, simple diet and th< ling 

of our forefathers made health and haracter as well. 

GIBS 

•in the pen of J. R. Strickland, in th nial number oi the 

Princeton Clarion-Xews, March, 1913, appeared the following graphic ac- 

irst actual settler, John Severns, and. with the per- 
mission of the publishers, we here quote the same: 

The wholesouled honesty and manly honor of John Severns are Hu- 
tu •> principal things that enabled him to lay ■ the proud distinction of 

tier i" tread the soil now com] county. 

rhese two char demanded of him by the Indians and John 

ual to tir 'ii. It was a test thai taxed th r of 

human endurance. I low ever, in tin in versus White 

Man this fellow Severns was rival to the great William Penn. 

The coming of the first white settle > preceded b\ 

a thrilling and tragic incident, the scene of which ted in Virginia. 

A natives of W came with his parent- to America several yi 

fore the Revolutionary war. When the war for independence was declared. 
John S tin trumpet's call for volunteers On the occasion 

of the lir-t \i-it home with his e months later, a hand of bloi 

thirsty Indian- ! down on the family one evening and took them 

prisoners The father, mother, sister and younger brother were killed, while 
John and an elder brother were I 



38 GIBSON COUNTY, INDIANA. 

John Severns remained a prisoner seven long years. At divers times 
he sought in escape, but his captors were too cunning for him, and under 
threats of death Severns was compelled to adjust himself to the new life and 
its environments. In adopting the garb and manners of the Indians. John 
Severns undoubtedly presented an amusing spectacle. He was a short, 
heavy-set man. of powerful build, and the feathers and paint furnished him 
by the Indians did not help his appearance as a red man! 

The years rolled on, hut Severns was none the less watchful tor the 
favorable moment of escape and one day, at the close of his seventh year in 
the captivity of the Indians, he made the use of an opportunity to break for 
liberty. It was several hours before the chief of the tribe discovered the 
absence of Severns. The old chief dispatched a number of his fleet-footed 
ors along the route supposed to have been taken by the escaped pris- 
oner. However, they failed to strike the trail. Severns knew the value of 
time. He made for the borders of civilization with all possible haste. He 
arrived in Pennsylvania some months later. His brother continued to live 
with the Indians and finally wooed and married one of the squaws and reared 
a family ol children. 

Soon alter Severns arrived in Pennsylvania he married. Prior t < > Ins 
capture by the Indians he had been carefully instructed in mathematics by 
his lather and. following his escape. Severns acquired a knowledge of sur- 
veying and assisted the government surveyors in Maryland and Kentucky. 
in 17X0 he penetrated the wilderness of the Northwest territory with his 
family and settled on the south bank of the Patoka river, at a. place now 
known as Severns Bridge. The family resorted to the caverns 0/ the rocks 
for protection against inclement weather and bands of savage Indians. The 
family lived as cave dwellers for several months, before the Indians per- 
mitted Severns to construct a rude hut of boughs, skins and other materials. 

Bv his knowledge of dialects and their customs and habits. Severns was 
enabled to make friends of the Indians inhabiting that region. On the op- 
posite bank of the Patoka river was an Indian village, the remnants of a 
Shawnee tribe. Old Trackwell, duel of this tribe, was morose, cruel and 
vindictive in nature. His imperial residence consisted of a number of wig- 
wams, lie studiously avoided the formality ol an introduction to Severns 
and had not the first white settler possessed a ereat address and an honor- 
able bearing, as well as a commendable degree of the spirit of forgiveness, 
old Trackwell would have succeeded in routing Severns .and his family. 
But the first white settler was a post-graduate in the confidence-winning 



GIBSON COUNTY, INDIANA. 39 

me and so successful was he in applying the arts of peace and harmon) 
that old I rackwell descended from his high perch and sought an understand- 
ing with his pale-faced stranger. 

Severns was allowed i" continue his residence in thai region and t" 
establish a ferry upon the conditions that he keep "fire water" for the Indians 
and allow them the free use of his ferry. Severns readily and willing!) 
agreed to the conditions imposed upon him by the Indians. He had no desire 
to violate the obligation with his neighbor. It was his nature to be upright 
and honorable in all his ith his fellow men. The whole-souled 

•honesty and manl) hoi [ohn Severn the Indians 

upon more than one occasion. He smoked a council pipe with them fre- 
cpiently and his influence with the different tribes was largely instrumental 
m preservinj after the arrival of other white settlers. 

i.-rn- was often calli ict a- interpreter for the tribe and 

Indian agent. In due time he became an indispens 
quantity with all the tribes that roamed and. hunt the val< >-"ii 

county. He rarely refused an opportunity to join the different chiefs and 
their warriors on fishing :\\\<\ hunting expedition 

part in Indian sports and. according t" traditions, he and old Track well 
.1 friendly sprinl ty and when Severn declared the 

winner c ind danced about eral 

terrifying war whoops. Another race wa- run and .>ld T rackwell, through 
the kindi rns, won easily. Thi I chief * 

The Miami's claimed ownership land in the community 

where the first white settler established his hom< fort "ii the 

south side "i the river, a sh nee from th toka 

lirid 1 Sleep, the grand sachem of the Miami-, allowed the 

coming of the while man to disturb him but little and wink' he was friendly 
t" Severns. the • >1< 1 chief did not go out of In- wa\ !■• increase In- acmiaint- 
\ i;h the settlers. 

When Severns came i" Gibson count) Ik- brought ap 
in. m Kentucky and cultivated a fe\ ind prior to 1802 he had apple 

and pcarh trees in 1" 

erns was made a Mason in Williamsburgh, Virginia, 111 177'' ' ' 
of h ndants has a 

that lodge, June 20, 177''. and it 1- signed b\ William Waddell. worshipful 
master; I < >lin Rowsa irden; John Dixon, junior warden Severns 



40 l CBSON COUNTY, INDIANA. 

died about the year 1829 and, in compliance with his request, was buried near 
where he settled. 

V son of Severns acquired a knowledge of the Indian tongue and acted 
as one of the interpreters lor General Harrison during the Indian troubles 
and at the battle of Tippecanoe. For this service a small tract of land was 
afterward awarded his children by the general government. 

hollowing John Severns, the next settlers in Gibson county were Gervas 
and Daniel Hazelton and their families. Gervas Hazelton kept a ferry on 
White river and was a well known pioneer. The town of Hazelton is named 
in his honor. 

Before going into details regarding the various pioneer families, it 
will be best to state that in 1802 John Johnson and family moved to Gibson 
count}- from Kentucky on pack-horses and settled a mile west of the present 
city of Princeton. In 1803 William Hargrove and family came from Kentucky 
on pack-mules and took up a tract of land to the north of Princeton. In the 
same year Joseph Milburn, of Kentucky, settled in the northern portion of 
the count)", between Patoka and White rivers. In 1805 came James Ale-' 
Clure, with his mother and family: also the following year with their 
families: Thomas Montgomery, Judge Isaac Montgomery, Gen. Robert M. 
Evans, Joseph Neely, Jesse Kimball, James Wheeler, and possibly a few more. 
Among those who located near Princeton in [807 were William Harrington, 
John Woods, Thomas and William Archer, John Benson, Jesse and Asa 
Music, Mathias and Smith Mounts. Capt. Jacob Warrick settled near 
Owensville in the same year. In 1808 came in Rev. Stephen Strickland. 
\\ illiam Clark, Rev. Alexander Devin, Cary and William Wilkinson, Major 
James Smith. John Braselton and others. Robert McGary and John Arm- 
strong came to the county in 1809. About this date settlers began to come 
in more rapidly. Some of those whose descendants are best known in 
Princeton at this time were Eli Strain, who settled in Gibson county in 1810, 
and Jesse Emerson, James Knowles, Elisha Embree and Andrew Gudgel, 
[811. Alter this time the country was settled so rapidly it is hard to men- 
tion all of those who here sought a home. 

In the summer of 1810 the people became alarmed on account of the 
conspiracy of old Tecumseh, the famous Indian chieftain who lived in the 
north part of the state. The Indians said the white people were taking all 
the land away from them and were trying to drive them out of the state 
and everyone was afraid the Indians would make a raid on the towns and 
settlements all over the state. In order to protect themselves, the people 



\ l V. I NDtA N \- ( I 

built forts or stockades, where the) could all gel together and defend them- 
selves against the savages, ["hree forts were built in Patoka township at 
that time, Fort Branch, Fort Hopkins, near the old Archer cemetery, north- 
west of the city of Princeton, and the stockade at William Harrington's, on 
the McCurdy place, a mile and a half west of Princeton. Although no fight- 
ace with the India mthern Indiana at that time, yet the fear 
"i being killed by an Indian kept man) people from settling here during 
and [8l I. 

Now, to give more in detail the circumstances under which the settle- 
ment was made in this county, it may be stated that David Robb was the p 
neer of the Robb family in Gibson county. In the year 1800 he settled with 
his family on a ti land a half mile 1 the present 1 Hazel- 

ton. He began housekeeping in a camp; subsequently cleared a small p 
of land, erected a log cabin and made a farm. He ative of Ireland. 

Ili- father. James, and mother, Margaret Robb 1 nee Barr), with their two 
small children, Thomas and James, took passage in a sailing il a port 

in I America in the year 177,;. and landed in Philadelphia. It 

was then- intention I young David, then two year with them, 

lmt hi- grandfather Barr, in-t at the moment ink* was 

he:; ivetl and the ading her canvas t" sail, picked n|> hi- 

little gr irried him ashore. Hi kept inn at the old hoi 

until th 1, when, accompai his nurse, he sent him over t" 

hi- parents, who were then living in Philadelphia. During the Revolu- 
tionary struggle tin 1 different place 1 until the year 
[786 when the) removed to Kentucky. The) settled about ten miles from 
the 1 the Ohio, now the site of I 011 at a place not far from 
Ma Mere David was employed a I rs assisting i" make salt, 
his father e in [81 » 1 he folli I" Indiana 
Territory and settled near Severns" bridge, then The tract 
m|' land on which he settled was afterward known as Vellov spring, and it 
there that tlte wife •■!" J. 1 mother of David Robb died in the 
7. lie lived there a nutnher of years, then movi nty, and 
finally returned to Jefferson county, Kenl lure he died, in the yeai 
about [825, at the r< of his son, Henry Robb. James Robb and wife 
were person ducation and refinen* ' -'• was born in Ire- 
land. Jul) i-. 1771 : his early education was mostl) attended t" b) his par- 
ent- fter coming here he formed the acquaintance "i General Harrison, 
the, ernor of the territory, whose residence was at Vincennes. I he 



42 GIBSON COUNTY. INDIANA. 

General frequently loaned him books from his library, and by this means 
he was able to improve his education. In later years he became on quite 
intimate terms with Harrison, who would occasionally call and spend a night 
at his residence, lie was married March 20, 1800, in Jefferson county, Ken- 
tucky, tn Nancy Eckley, the daughter of Joseph and Susan 1 Rickerts) Eck- 
ley. The original home of the Eckleys was in Maryland in what is now the 
District of Columbia. Mr. Eckley was killed in a battle with the Indians 
prior to the Revolutionary war. His widow and family subsequently moved 
to Kentucky. David Robb and wife, soon after marriage, started on horse- 
back for the then wilds of Indiana: they were accompanied by Samuel Means 
and wife, who settled north of Vincennes. They drove with them a few 
head of stock and, of course, camped out of nights. \fter arriving at their 
destination, they lived for the first two months in a camp which was con- 
structed by felling a large walnut tree, that served for the hack of the camp. 
and by mean- of poles and hark they constructed a rude hut. It furnished 
-heller for them from the heat of the sun and the rain. The front was open 
and there the tires were made which served to cook their frugal meals and 
as warmth during the chill}' nights in their humble home. Thus was the 
habitation of the hardy pioneer and his youthful and happy bride. 

During the summer and before the winter set in. Mr. Robb succeeded in 
constructing a fairly comfortable small log house, in which they spent the 
winter. When he and his wife came here in 1800 they found John Severn 
and Daniel Hazelton and their families. Mr. Robb and his wife had born 
to them a family of ten children, ami as the children were born pioneer- of 
the county we give their name- 111 order of birth as follows: 

Achilles, born August 13. 1801. The second child was Eleanor, born 
December 21, [803, married Elisha Embree, and lived in Princeton. Jam< 
born May 1. [806, died at the age of twenty j two. Susan R., born May (8, 
[808, married Rev. Hiram A. Hunter. Nancy, born June 8. 1810, married 
Joseph Devin. Elizabeth E., born September 12. 1812, married William 
McClure. Sally Ann, born November 22, 1814. died October 1. [835. 
Franklin, born February 15. 1S1 7. lived at Robinson, Illinois. Charity, born 
\pnl 30, [819, first wife of Dr. V. 1'. West, died August 31, 1 84 1 . Cordelia, 
born Ma) 8, 1821, second wife of Dr. V. P. West. 

David Robb was a brave and gallant soldier during the early Indian 
troubles. He was captain of a company at the battle oi Tippecanoe, after- 
ward became a major of militia, lie and bis neighbors constructed a block 
bouse at his residence prior to the Indian war, to which the families of the 



OUNTY. INDIANA 43 

settlers of the neighborh I could resort in the - an attack from the 

savages, which attack was, however, fortunately nol mane Mr. Robb wa 
man nt considerable enterprise. In 1814 he established a saw am mill 

on Robb's creek, propelled by water power. He also ■ on a blacksmith 

and carpenter shop, and a small distillery. The three last business enter- 
prises were begun about nine or ten years alter the building of the mill. In 
1810. In- !)tiilt a brick residence, which was the second brick house built in 
thai part of the county, lie was also a surveyoi and farmer, one <>t the 
jusl peace, when the county formed pari of Kn<>\ county, ami 

alter tin- organization of < i 1 1 >^< .11 county he held at intervals offices for 
erai lie wa- also a member of the Territorial Legislature, and of 

first Constitutional 1 nently a member of the State 

Legislature. L T nder the administration of Andrew Jackson he was registrar 
of the land .it'ti district, with headquarters at Laporte. lie 

"lie time a slaveholder, lie died \pril 15. 1*4}. Hi- v him 

until Ju 855. tCumerous ant- of the Robb family -till reside 

in tlie county, 

In die fall nt' [802 members of the Johnson family became residents 
tin- county. llii' tarn- nt nine persons: John and hi- wife. 

Sarah, and their -even children, Rebecca, Betsey, Mary, Hannah, Jacob, 
David and John. The paret ral nt" the elder children ves 

nt' Virginia. In 17ns the) removed i" Kentucky, and four year- later cros 
the Ohio at McG 1 ibin, now the site "i Lvansville, and made their way 

north mi pack horses to the tract of land since known a- McCurdy's tar-' 
mile we-t i.f Princeton. Here they built a shanty and wintered. During the 
rney the horses got away and started for their old home in Kentucky. 

..I the started in pursuit, bareheaded, through tin 

keeping their trail and caught them near where they crossed the Ohio river 
The boy encountered no habitation nor person ami. fearless ami 
alone, pursued hi- way ami accomplished hi- purpose. When spring opened 

luult a n mi the old place where their grandson, David, resided, a 

few miles northeasl "i Princeton. The male members of the family \ 
quite celebrated as hunter- and travelers Jacob enlisted in 1813 in liar 
grove's company of rangers. He also in the survey of seminary 

land- as cai ■ He first married a Stev upon her death a 

Skelton, a daughter of John Skelton I If the tir-t union there were two chil- 
dren, lame- Johnson, of Mt ' armel, and Mrs VIcFetridge. By the second 
wife there were six children, John, Jackson, Mr- Fairfield. Mrs Met reary. 
Lvdia ami I )avid. 



44 GIBSON COUNTY, INDIANA. 

< hie oi the most distinguished of the early families of Gibson county 
were the Hargroves. William Hargrove, the pioneer, was a South Caro- 
linian by birth, born in the year 1775, and while still a lad moved with his 
parent- to Pulaski county. Kentucky, where he grew to manhood and mar- 
ried Sarah Jaspar. A few years later, concluding to change his location, he 
set out with his wife and three children for the West, with the few worldly 
ids he possessed loaded on pack mules, on which his wife and children 
also rode. Their destination was Missouri, but after arriving in the vicinity 
of the present site of Princeton, and admiring the beautiful country here, 
they concluded to go no farther, and in the early part of November, 1803, 
settled nil section 30, township 1 south, range 11. Here he erected a small 
cabin and lived for a lime and then settled on a tract of land, afterwards 
known as the Isaac Woods farm, north of Princeton, in township 2 south, 
range 10. William Hargrove was a noted Indian hunter of Kentucky and also 
here, lie was a brave and plucky man. The following incident will illus- 
trate the heroic quality of the pioneer. One time when the neighbors were 
congregated at a log rolling an Indian came along and a little dispute aro 
and Hargrove told the Indian he lied. This exasperated the latter and he 
raided his tomahawk to attack him. but one of the bystanders knocked him 
\n. The Indian, though keenly feeling the insult, arose and left, and the 
next day, bent on mi-chief, he returned t<> the settlement, and at one of the 
cabins, finding the men folks absent, he led his horse within the cabin and., 
besides insulting the wife of the settler, he broke up what little furniture 
there was. and. turned things topsy-turvy. The lady found means of escape 
anl ran over and informed \'r. Hargrove, who, with rifle in hand, imme- 
diately started after the redskin. Arriving at the cabin, the Indian was not 
there, but he saw him at a spring a short distance away. He at once cut a 
iarge hickory whip and noiselessly slipped up on the savage, seized him. and 
gave him a severe whipping, then knocked him into the creek, pointed his 

at him. and told him to begone. The Indian needed no second invita- 
tion, being glad to get off with his life. Hargrove kept the horse until after 
the Indian had made reparation for the broken furniture in pelts. Then the 
horse was returned to him. when he mounted and rode off. and never after- 
ward returned to the settlement. 

Hargrove vih at two different times in the ranging service, and de- 
serves much credit for his woodcraft and bravery in assisting to repel the 
earlv Indian attacks, and in his share in driving the Indians from the borders 
of Indiana territory, thereby making it safe for the habitation of white 



GIF- NTY, INDIANA. 45 

settlers He raised a company of rangers and was made their captain and 
with them fought bravely in the battle of rippecanoe. He had a famirj 
fourteen children, seven sons and seven daughters. ' )ne thing rather peculiar 
in regard to hi< children, and of which the old pioneer was very proud, was 
that there were seven red headed and seven bla led, all of whom grew b i 

manhood and womanh 1. In the year [836 Mr. Hargrove settled in the nei 

borhood of < )akland City, where he was a resident until his death, about 1846 
or 1847. Ili- wife died about th< me. The most prominent of the sons 

•of Mr. Hargrove and wife was John Hargrove, born in Pulaski county, 
Kentucky, November 29, [793 He came to Indiana with hi- parents in 
Novemb }. He married fsiphina Latham, daughter of William 

Latham. The marriage took place Dec ;i, [818. She was born in 

Vin t798. She removed with her parent- to Kentucky in ame 

hen 7, and died March 14. 1877. Her husband died in October, [874. 

They had born to them five sons and seven daughters. John Hargn 
for main- years a prominent and influential citizen of the county. He filled 
many official positions of ho I trust, and in early days was an ardent 

Democrat, and was the ted leader of the party in this county. In 

[825 he wa ; justice of the peace and served five -.ear-, and at that 

time was member of the county board of justices. In 1829 he was 
of the county, in [831 he was elected as a represenl 

subsequently represented the district in thi te. He held other 

tions which are shown in the roster of the count) 1 fficials. 
The Milburns became residents of the county in 1803. The) wi 
merly of Virginia, though they lived a short time in Kentucky. Joseph Mil- 
burn and wife brought with them the following children: Robert, John. 
David, Sally, Jonathan, William, with hi n law, Roberl They 

tied in the northern part of the county between Patoka and White rivi 
The elder Milburn died in [815, at th widow in [845, 

f ninety year-. < >ne of his hn, was captain of a ran 

ipany under the territorial administration of General Harrison, and in 
[812 was stationed at Fort Lanotte, on the Wabash river. For tin- 
he was made a pensioner. Ill- d urred at the age of seventy-six. He 
left five children. Felix, Irene. Rose, Sarah (Arbuthnot) and Carrie Mil- 
burn. David Milburn died in 1861, ag nty-two, also lea eral 
children. Another son, Robert, was born in the Old Dominion, and came 
to this county with the balance of the family In iSu he married N T ai 
\rcher. lie carried "ii the trade of hatter for years, afterward becoming 



46 - [BSON COUNTY, INDIANA. 

interested in the old steam mill company. He died in 1847, a g e <i sixty two, 
leaving several children. 

John Hinemann and family settled in the northern part of the county 
in 1803. Lie was a native of Pennsylvania, born in 1778. lie subsequently 

moved with his parents t< > Kentucky and thence here. I lis death took place 
111 [863, at the age of eighty-five years. His widow afterward died at 
abi 'lit the same age. 

Another pioneer name here was that of the McClure family. James Mc- 
1 lure was born < >ctober <>. 1785. in Maryland, and at the age of twelve years 
he removed with his mother and the balance of the family to Kentucky. His 
father was a soldier in the Revolutionary war and was killed in one of tl e 
last battles of that eventful struggle. In the fall of 1805 Mr-. McClure re- 
moved with her family to Indiana territory, and settled on section [3, town- 
ship 26 south, range 1 1 west. Her son James had the year previous, in 1804. 
made a trip to spy out land and he selected the above place as being suitable 
to making a settlement. Here he made improvements and went back to Ken- 
tucky and brought his mother ami the balance of the family; besides his 
mother was his sister Martha. She was the wife of Isaac Montgomery, who 
afterward became prominent as a citizen of the county. When James Mc- 
Clure came here in 1804 the country was only sparsely settled in the locality 
bordering on Patoka and White river. James McClure married Martha Ann 
Warrick. She was horn May 24. 1788: her father died in Kentucky and 
her mother, Mrs. Ellen Warrick, removed with her family to this locality in 
the year [806. James McClure and wife had horn to them eleven children, 
ten sons and one daughter: Albert P.. March 29, i8o<j; Edwin, April 7. 
1811; James 1'... November 14, 1812; Ellen J.. June 6, 1814; Joseph P., 
October '1. 1815; William M., February 7. 1810; Henry, May 1;. 1820: 
David II.. May 8, 1822: Robert, March 16, 1825; George W.. February 22. 
1827; John W.. December 28, 1830. All of the sons grew to manhood. The 
hrst tanyard established in the county was by James McClure. in 1806. He 
was an active, energetic man, and as an early settler did much to promote the 
growth and development of the county, lie and his wife lived to a good old 
age. Joseph P. McClure was married February 13. 1834. to Catherine 
Devin, the daughter of Rev. Alexander Devin. 

\nother old settler was James Wheeler, who also had a large family, a 
wife, five sons and. four daughters. He was a peculiar sort of a man, fond 
ol fun. and occasionally enjoyed taking part in a hand-to-hand fight, and at 
gatherings, such as log rollings or muster days, \\ 'heeler was sure to imbibe 



GIBSI IN COUNTY, IND1 WW. 47 

quite freely, and then gel into a misunderstanding vith some one, whicli 
won rail) result in a fisl fight. \\ heeler, though a man of small stature, 

was very spry and active, and mostly came oul victorious He settled in the 
timber east about five miles from Princeton in the summer (if 1805, where 
he red a small trad of land, bul his subsistence for him- 

self and famil) for the first year v tetl principally by hunting, a- he 

arrived too late in the summer to make a crop He become quite a noted 
hunter, and proved himself to be quite a valuable acquisition to the settle- 
ment. He was forei repelling any Indian entlj 
boasted that he was not afraid of the redskins, and he proved it, bei 
the breaking an troubles he promptly enlisted, as did three of his 
nd participated in the battle of Tippei I lie war over and peace 
declared, he returned to his country home, where he lived the quiet life o 
farmer for a number of years, and he and his wife dud after filling in use 
fulness their allotted time. They left numerous descendants who still reside 
in the county. 

The Montgomerys arc among the families whose settlement and histoi 
back several years prior to the organization of the county. The) were 
prominent here for years in political and official 1 1 In- pioneer of this 

family in this county was Thomas Montgomery. He was one of ten children 
and the youngest "I seven sons born to Hugh Montgomery and wife. Hugh 
Montgomerj was an frishman by birth, who emigrated to Virginia many 
years before the Revolutionary war. The seven sons, Thomas among the 
number, served in the- Revolutionary war. In \j'>^ rhomas Montgomery 
emigrated t" Kentucky and settled in a little town called Mi. Sterling, in 
Montgomery county, which county, however, was not named until .after he 
tied there, and was so called in honor ol his name. Having met with 

irses in Kentucky, by not having a g 1 title to his land, he removed to 

Indiana, in 1805, and settled "ii section 13, township ,}. range u. <>n the - 
hank of Black river, in what is now known as Montgomery township. He 
married, while yet a resident of \ irginia, Martha Crockett. She was a sister 
■ •I. Joseph Crockett, who served under Washington in the Revolutionary 
war. She was also a firsl cousin of the famous Dav\ Crockett, of Tennes- 

and who so gallantly gave up his life at the Alamo, bravely fighting for 
Texas independence Thomas and Martha Montgomery had born t" them 
three daughters and five sons Their sons were Hugh, Joseph, Thomas, Isaac, 
Walter: the daughters were Polly, Jennie. Patsey Joseph married Nancy 
l>a\ ; - in Kentucky, and cm. ith his father. ;h did all the other chil- 



48 GIBSON COUNTY, INDIANA. 

dren, to Indiana. Joseph settled on what was known as the Major Smith 
farm. His children were Isaac. William ( who served in the Legislature two 
years), Patsey, Jefferson, Polly, Betsey and Nancy. Thomas Montgomery, 
Jr., married Betsey Warrick in Kentucky, and they came and settled on what 
is known as the old James Stewart farm. His children were: Polly, wife 
of James Skelton; Nelly, wife of Joseph Roberts; Moses; Nancy, wife of 
Joseph Skelton; Jacob and Thomas. His wife died, and then he married 
Katie Teel, and by her he had. the following children : Julia, who married 
Thomas Summers; Lucy, who married a Mr. Mounts; Isaac; Henry; Min- 
erva, who married Joseph Summers, and Katherine. 

Judge Isaac Montgomery married, in Kentucky. Martha McClure, the 
daughter of James McClure. They came in 1805 and settled on what was 
known as the James Finney farm near Princeton. It is said that he built at 
that date the first horse grist-mill of the county. He was very prominent 
here in the early days, was one of the county commissioners, and also \yas a 
representative in the state Legislature for twelve years. His children were: 
Jane, who married John I. Neely, who for many years was a count}' official; 
John R., also a well known citizen, county clerk for eight years; Joseph; 
Archilaus; Thomas; Eliza, who married a Mr. Johnson; Maria, who mar- 
ried a Mr. McGrady. Judge Isaac Montgomery probably attained the most 
prominence in the count}' of any of the family. I Fe was a large, athletic 
man, and in physical appearance was one of the best looking men in tin 
county. He was fond of hunting and was regarded. as the best shot in the 
county. lie had a large gun made in Princeton on purpose to kill hears with. 
In 1852 Mr. Montgomery and wife and eldest son removed to Texas, where 
he died a few years later. Walter Montgomery married Nancy Roberts in 
Indiana, and remained on the old farm settled by his father. Their children 
were: Margaret; Thomas; Warrick, who served two years in the Legisla- 
ture; Joseph: Isaac; John R. ; Martha, wife of Louis Barr : Nellie, wife of 
Joseph Knowles; Walter; Robert; William; Andrew J.; Polly, who married 
Smith Mounts. Her children were: Smith; Thomas; Steven; Hugh; 
Joseph; Nancy, who married A. Emerson; Betsey, who married Henry 
Ayres; Celia, who married a Mr. Hunt; Jane, who married Capt. Jacob 
Warrick. Her second husband was Dr. Maddox, of Kentucky, and they had 
three children. Some years after old Thomas Montgomery emigrated to 
Indiana, his brother Samuel came and settled on the east side of Black river. 
He married Polly McFarland of Kentucky, and their children were Polly, 
Tames, Robert, Benjamin, John. Samuel. Rachael, Dorcas and Katie. 



GIBSON COUNTY, I NDIAN i |o 

Gen. Robert M. Evans was one of the most conspicuous men in the early 
history <>i Gibson county, being clerk and agent, and, in fact, managing all 
of the affairs of the count) for several years He was born in Frederick 

uiy. Virginia, in [783 When a small boy, bis parents removed to K< 
tucky, and in 171/0 !•■ Tennessee, where, at tin- age "i" seventeen, he acted as 
deput) county clerk in the county in which he was reared, lie was married 
in Kentucky in [803, to Jane Trimble, sister to Judge Robert Trimble, ol 
the United States supreme court- In [805 his family removed to Indiana 
territory, settling two miles north of where Princeton now stands. At the 
first sale oi iment land in [807, he purchased the tract upon which 

he had settled, and continued to reside there until [809, when he moved to 
Vincennes and kept a hotel on Market street. This was the favorite stop- 
ping place for all of the old pioneers of Indiana. \fter two years he re- 
turned to the old settlement. At the breaking out ol the Indian war in 1N1 1 
he joined General Harrison's army, and participated in the battles of Tippe 
canoe, Thames ami other less important engagements, and acquired the repu- 
tation of a brave ami sagacious commander, lie was commissioned bri 
dier-general and commanded a large body of militia. I lis brother, William, 
was killed by the Indians at the battle of Tippecanoe. \fter the war he re- 
turned to his .ild improvements and it was ven soon after that Gibson county 
was organized. The value of one with his experience and education was 
soon realized in the manipulation of affairs of government, and he was 
elected county clerk, and appointed agent for the transaction of the county's 
business. He continued to hold these positions for several years with satis 
faction to the people and honor to himself. He was one of the original pi 
prietors of Evansville and did much toward the early building up and pr 

of the place. In i s _' i he lei'i Princeton and made his home in Evans- 
ville. lie was. however, a resident of Xew Harmony for a short tune. He 
returned to Evansville and was a resident I hen- until his death in 1N44. I I is 
wife passed from this earth in [840 

In [810 James, Alexander Lile and Thomas Jefferson Evans, brothers 
m| Gen Robert M.. became residents of the county ami afterward of Prii 
ton, where thej in business. Thomas J. moved to Iowa in 1840 and 

was appointed to a judgeship, lie died there in the same year. Alexander 
I. was engaged in the cooper Ihmih'" in Princeton until 1836 when h< 
moved to Evansville. He died there in 1844. Herman S. a printer in 
Illinois, is another son. lanu-s Evans built and operated a wood carding 



50 GIESON COUNTY, INDIANA. 

mill mi Main street in 1818, and which business he continued until his death 
in 1832. He was also largely engaged in farming, and owned the land upon 
which the southwestern portion of Princeton now stands. He was for many 
years justice of the peace. Eliza A. married Dr. Andrew Lewis. She died 
m 1878. W. L. Evans was a merchant in Princeton from 1853 to 1S73. 
and afterward president of the Princeton National Bank, which position he 
held until his death, which occurred in 1899. 

We append the following as a recollection of the venerable Patsey 
Ralston (nee Xeely 1, widow of Andrew D. Ralston. In regard to the early 
events she seemed to possess a remarkable memory. She is fifth of a family 
of nine children born to Joseph and .Martha Xeely. Her parents came to 
this county in March, 1805. They made a short stop with John Latham's 
father, who was then living where Princeton now stands. Subsequently 
they moved to a farm about three miles from where David Robb and family 
were living south of White river. Joseph Neely and wife were natives of 
Pennsylvania. In 1790 Mr. Neely and family moved to Kentucky "and lived 
about two years near Lexington, in that state. They moved to Mercer 
county, Kentucky, where Mrs. Ralston was born October 17. 1792. The 
Neely family are of Irish origin. The grandparents of Mrs. Ralston on both 
her father's and mother'- side were born in Ireland. Her father, Joseph Xeely. 
died in 1806 and her mother 111 1811. After the death of her parents Mrs. 
Ralston returned to Kentucky and lived with her sister in Bath county. 
Here she became acquainted with and married Andrew D. Ralston, November 
18, [817, remaining in that vicinity until May I, 1818, when she returned to 
this county with her husband and settled in Princeton. He was a blacksmith 
. ii.l worked at his trade about eight years. In 1826 they moved on a farm one 
mile southeast of Fort Branch. There Mr. Ralston died January 4, 1829. 
At that time their family comprised live children: Dr. W. G., Evansvill 
physician; Martha J. Hopkins, Nancy Holcomb, Elizabeth Hemmenway. 
Third child was accidentally killed on the farm, and the fifth lived in Boon- 
ville. Indiana. Mrs. Ralston's two brothers. Gen. John I. and Thomas Xeely, 
were both in the war of 1812. John served as aide-de-camp, and he remained 
until the close of the war. At the battle of Tippecanoe bis horse was sh.it 
from under him, and his spur shot from his boot. On his return home at 
the close of the war he was made a general of the state militia. He was for 
nianv years one of the most noted men of the county. He was a son-in-law 
of Judge Laac Montgomery. His death occurred about the close of the 
Civil war. Both of the brothers, when young, assisted in surveying lands 




X 



Z 
2 



GIBSON COUNTY, INDIANA. 5 I 

in this pan of tin- state. The) were lads of sixteen or seventeen years 
John I. was county clerk for a period of about fifteen years Joseph, an- 
other brother, was sheriff of the count) one term. When Mrs. Ralston first 
settled in Gibson county the people wenl to Kalis mill, located on a stream 
called river DuShee, to get their grisl d. This mill was about eighteen 

miles from where they lived. The mill ground corn only. Wagons were not 
much in iw. and people carried their corn on horseback or on a home-made 
sled. The first preacher .Mrs. Ralston heard was Mr. Nixon. When her 
parents left Pittsburgh they embarked on a large flat boat, which was located 
with flour and horses for a New Orlean ["hey came on down the 

Ohio as far as Marysville, Kentucky, and thence to Evansville. 

Vbout 1804 or 1805 came Jesse Kimball, with his family, and settled 
section J4. township 3 south, range u. six miles south of Owensville. The 
place wa.s then the site "t" an Indian village. Kimball raised his humble cabin 
near a large spring. lie was a native of Connecticut, born in [760, and was 
a Revolutionary soldier. About 1795 he emigrated p> Red Hanks, now 
I lenders, ,n. Kentucky, and a few years later came h neigh- 

bor was six miles away. About 1810 he built a water mill on Black river, a 
distance of two hundred yards from his cabin. lie afterwards built a horse 
mill, which he o] 

lisha, Man Gates, Sarah Jones. Enoch, Isaac. William I'.. and J< 
■ •us ,,f i lisha Kimball, who was born at Red Banks in 1796. I- 
had »n, William, who lived when and father settle old 

Cimball, died November [8, 1857, and on the old 

homestead, lie was very fleet and frequently had ith 

tiie Indians, and one occasion in a trial of 
wh ted the latter thai lared that he would never run again. 

The V\ mily was the largest to com< to the 1 eph 

W Is. the pioneer, was born in Ireland in 1745, and reared in \ 

where he married in 17 number of children, from 

that state 1 to Kentuck) at a ven earl) day, and ii 

the ten Indiana, his fir- in 

Knox county, where, after a resident 

■"ii, on hn, 

lames. Patrick, Isaac, \\ illian ' inel 1 1. 

lizabeth, with him. I'h 

a as on horsi lank. 

All ind daughters were either married or man they 



52 GIBSON COUNTY, INDIANA. 

came here, and settled around the old gentleman, except William P., who fol- 
lowed school teaching and died an old bachelor. The neighborhood was known 
as the Woods settlement. It is related that at the early elections the Woods and 
Montgomery families, by putting their members together, might elect any 
candidate whom they chose for office. Samuel H. and Isaac Woods were at 
Tippecanoe. Joseph L. Woods, another son of the old pioneer, came with 
his family in 1811. and settled in the southeast quarter of section 21. He 
had six sons and two daughters: Patrick, born in Tennessee in 1809, lived 
in Princeton; William L. lived on the old homestead; Mary Stone of Fort 
Branch. (For further particulars of the Woods genealogy, see the bio- 
graphical sketches of different members of the family. ) 

William Harrington was one of the first judges of the courts of Gibson 
county, and the first session of the court held in the count)' was at his house 
in May, 1813. Judge Harrington was a native of Xorth Carolina. From 
there he moved and settled near Nashville, Tennessee, residing there a short 
time, then became a resident of Kentucky, and in 1807 removed' with his 
family and settled in the vicinity of Fort Branch, Indiana, where he made a 
crop, and the next season purchased a small improvement of John Johnson a 
short distance west of Princeton William Harrington was a brave and gal- 
lant man, and participated in the battle of Tippecanoe. Of his two sons. 
James Harrington was afterward killed by the Indians in the ranging service 
at Fort Harrison, and Charles, his brother, was also wounded at the same 
place. The Indians surprised them at daylight and the young men endeavored 
to get to the fort, when the former was killed and the latter wounded. Judge 
Harrington had a large family of children, some of whom came to man- 
hood and womanh 1. among whom were James, Charles, Thomas and Will- 
iam, Elizabeth Truesdell, Sarah Casey, Jane Brownlee. Mary died young, 
Irene Jerauld, and Emily. Judge Harrington died in 1831, having been 
for many years a prominent and conspicuous figure in the early history of 
the county. 

Among the settlers the Carolinas supplied were Thomas and William 
.Archer, brothers. They were natives of Chester district, South Carolina, 
and came here in 1807. They left their native state in the fall of 1806, and 
the following spring raised a crop in Kentucky, and late in the fall made 
their way here. Their mode of conveyance hither was made by four-horse 
wagons. Thev crossed the Ohio river at Red Banks. Thomas Archer first 
located near the clearing of James Robb, north of Patoka, and entered land. 
The following year William Archer returned to South Carolina, and brought 



GIBSON < "I NTY, I NDIANA. 53 

back with him his father, Robert, and the balance of tin.- family. The old 
man had been a soldier in the Revolutionary war and was an invalid when 
he came here and died about ten years later. 1 1 i-~ home was located "ii a 
hill near the Archer cemetery, east "i" Robert Howe's place. William and 
rhomas were the only son Robert Archer who came. William was 

single when he came, but it was not long until he married Anna Peters. Her 
parent^ were among the early settlers. The) reared a family. Me was a 
tanner and resided near Patoka. Robert Archer hail six' daughters. They 
all came with their parents. 1 'hen- names were Isabella, Mary, Rosa, Cath- 
erine, Nancy, Margaretta. i hey all married in this county and. main of their 
descendants are vet living. Man i \nnt Polly, as she was familiarly calli 
lived to tin ighty-four. Thomas Archer was married, and his 

daughter, .Mary X.. was born in t8oo. His other children who came here 
with him were Robert and John. Those born after arriving were Samuel. 
Thomas, David, Sarah. William. Calvin and Beza. 

1 >n< ol the distinguished and early settlers and Indian fighters was (apt. 
'I> Warrick. He raised a company of rangers during the Indian troubles 
of 1S1 i and. at tin- request of Governor Harrison, joined the mam army at 
Vincennes and marched against the Indians, and while gallantly leading a 
charge at the battle of Tippecanoe was killed, being buried mi the field. 
General Harrison, in his official report of that battle, to -'"ii to com- 

mend in the highest terms the braver; of Captain Warrick, lie was ;i k 
tuckian by birth, and removed here with his I'amiK in [807, settling in the 
northwest quarter of section 11. township 3. range i-\ about two miles v 

nsville. For that period he was regarded as a man of considerable 
wealth, lie brought with him several slaves, and was probably the first t.. 
introduce well-bred horses in this si-ctimi of Indiana Vfter his death, his 
family continued i" reside there. < me of his sons, John in merchan- 

dising in Owensville in [835, when- he carried on an extensive busini 
ides being a large land owner, lie also did a large hiisiness in shipp 
1>v flat boats t>> New ' >rleans market, large quant orn, pork and other 

products, lie also had .1 grist null. lie was a man of i 
judgment and amassed considerable wealth, lie died in January, 1847, 
leaving n< > children. 

John Benson was born in Pennsylvania and in [788 removed i" lv 
tnckv. where he married. In 1807 he emigrated to 'he northwesl 1 "i 

'■m 35, township 2, range 1 -'. known Benson place, where 

he raised the usual hum!) dun lie v ilier in tin war ol [8 



54 GIBSON COUNTY, INDIANA. 

He took part in the battle of Tippecanoe. He lived in the county until 1820, 
when he removed to Illinois. His brother, William, was born in Kentucky, 
March 31, 1783, and came to this county in 1816, married, and subsequently 
bought his brothers place. He was a wheelwright by trade, at which he 
worked in connection with farming. His children were Martha Smith, Ellen 
Wilson. Louisa Robinson, Sarah Miller, Lemira Montgomery, and Sylvester 
Benson, who was burn in 1823 and lived on the old place. He was a promi- 
nent citizen of the county and served for some time as one of the commis- 
sioners. 

Jesse and Asa Music, brothers-in-law of John Benson, came with their 
families the same year and settled about a mile west of Benson. Jesse was 
mortally wounded in the battle of Tippecanoe, and when the army was march- 
ing back, died at Vincennes. About 1845 Asa Music removed with his 
family to Illinois. The brothers were from Kentucky. 

Elisha, William, John and Jesse Barker, brothers, and James Stewart, 
a half brother, all natives of Kentucky, moved here in 1807, and settled in 
the Montgomery neighborhood near Owensville. They all had families when 
they came but Jesse. He married Elizabeth, daughter of William Key, who 
was one of the early residents of Gibson county. Jesse settled on the south- 
west quarter of section I, township 3, range 11, a little north of Owensville, 
where he lived until his death in 1863. 

Another of the early settlers from Virginia was Thomas Waters, who. 
when a young man, went to North Carolina, where he married, then moved to 
Kentucky, where his wife died. He again married in 1807, and came with 
his family and settled on the banks of Maumee creek, in the northeast quarter 
of section 4, township 3. range 12, where he built a small log cabin and then 
proceeded to farm. He died about 1825. He had a family of six children 
on his removal hither, and their names were William W., James R, Thomas. 
Pathena, Sarah, Nancy. William W. was married and had two children on 
his arrival in this county with his father. Several were born to him after- 
wards and many of his descendants are now residents of the county. 

The Mounts family in this county are descendants of John and Provi- 
dence Mounts, natives of Switzerland. They were among the early residents 
of Philadelphia, and subsequently went to Virginia, and from there to Ken- 
tuckv, where they became noted Indian fighters. Matthias and Smith, sons 
of John, became residents of this county in 1807. Smith settled on section 
24, township 3, range 12, where he lived until his death. He, as well as his 
father, was a celebrated Indian fighter, and formed a part of General Wayne's 



GIBS'iN COl MV. l\M w v. 55 

command during the Indian war. He was fond of hunting and devoted 
much time to the pleasures of the chase. He also foughl in the battle of 
rippecanoe. He had a famil) of eleven children. Matthias VIounts entered 

a farm later known as the John Hudelson place, and lived there until his 
death. None of the descendants live in the county at present. 

\lt"Ui this tune. IiSdj, came Thomas Sharp, Luke and William Wiley, 
with their families, and settled in the timber a shorl distance south i >i < >w< 
ville. A few year> later the Wiley brothers moved to Posey county, where 
oue of them was lost in the storm and froze to death. Thomas Sharp cleared 
nil where he settled and he lived on it until his death. William Sharp 
brought his family with him and located in r8o8 in the timber southwest 
of the town of < (wensville, and the -ante year George Sharp, son of Thomas, 
with hi-- wife and children, erected a cabin two miles southwest of Owei 
ville. lie was the first clerk of the Salem Baptist church. His children 
married and settled in the neighborhood. His son, William, was captain in 
the militia, also a deacon in the church, and a man of considerable promi- 
nence in his neighborhi iod. 

Rev. Stephen Strickland, minister of the Regular Baptist church 
with hi- family five miles southeast of n in [808. He came fn 

Kentucky, raised a family ol four daughters. He was a very 

devout 1 hristian man and was one of the firsl to preach the gospel to the 
few scattering settlers then living near. Mis death occurred on Jul) [9, 
[839. Elisha Strickland came in [808, and participated in the battle oi 
rippecanoe. 

Anothe settler came in 1808, William Clark. He enlisted in the 

war of [812, and was stationed in Mabama at the tune of the battle of New 

ills 

The Skeltons were also an old pioneer family. Jacob Skelton, St., and 
his brother Robert, and /. Skelton, came and located in what is now 1 
cnntx' a few years after their father came in [810. The most prominent 
the family was Jacob, a justice of the peace many years, who settled twi 
miles southeast of Princeton. He raise,; family. 

Rev. Alexander Devin, a native of Pittsylvania county, Virginia, mar- 
ried Susan Xowlin. of the same county and married in 
r793, and moved to Kentucky in 1798, and in the spring of t8o8 cam, 
Indiana territory. The) settled on a tract of land half a mile north of 
Princeton, built a cabin and lived there until Ihcn they moved to the 
northeast quarter of sectii n 20, township _• south, rai They had thir- 



3 



6 GIBSON COUNTY, INDIANA. 



teen children, twelve of whom grew up. The children were Elizabeth, Lucy, 
James, Susan. Sarah. Alexander, Jr., Virginia, Joseph, Robert, Peyton, Now- 
lin, Alary and Catherine. Mr. Devin belonged to the Regular Baptist church, 
and was one of the first preachers of that denomination in the county. He 
was an excellent man, and he reared a useful family of children. He died 
January 3, [827, and his wife died November 8, 1840. 

The Wilkinsons were among the early settlers of the south part of the 
county. Cary Wilkinson and family came from Barren county, Kentucky, 
in the fall of r8o8 and settled southwest of Fort Branch. He married Sarah 
Mangrum, daughter of William. Sr. They had eleven children and four 
died young. Those who grew up were .Mary. Betsey, Nancy, William, Rebecca, 
Delilah, Balaam, [saiah and Martha. The trip was made from the home 
in Kentucky in an old-fashioned Conestoga wagon. 

Cary Wilkinson lived only a few years after coming here, dying in the 
fall of 1815. He was survived forty-live years by his widow. In 1808 
there were a few Indians in the county, and in the construction of the block- 
house at Fort Branch, William Wilkinson, then eleven years old, assisted in 
hauling together some of the logs of the fort. William was born December 
18, 1800, and came here with his parents. The Wilkinson family are of 
English origin and the ancestors of Cary Wilkinson settled in North Caro- 
lina prior to the Revolutionary war. It was in that state that he was born. 
subsequently moving to Kentucky, then to this territory. William Wilkinson 
and wife had eleven children. About 1830 Mr. Wilkinson became a mem- 
ber of the Christian church, and he ever afterward remained a temperate man. 

One of the early educators of Princeton was Major James Smith, a 
Virginian by birth, who removed with his father's family to Kentucky, and in 
1808 to this county. Major Smith served on General Harrison's staff in 
the battle of Tippecanoe. When Capt. Jacob Warrick was mortally wounded 
and taken off the field, Smith, at the solicitation of the company, became 
its captain. Major Smith was one of the delegates from this county to 
the constitutional convention of the state in 1816. He was appointed the 
first commissioner of the seminary school township, and acted as such for 
twenty years. He also held the office of school commissioner for many years, 
also county surveyor. He married and reared a family, and died in Novem- 
ber. 1855, at the age of eighty-two. 

Another old settler, and early justice of the peace, was John Braselton, 
a native of Georgia, who went to Pennsylvania, where he married Elizabeth 
Brown. From there they removed to Kentucky, and in 1808 came to Gib- 



GIBSON COUNTY, INDIANA. ^~ 

d lunty "ii pack horses and located in Pigei m < in i\ e settlement, four miles 
northeasl of Fort Branch. Braselton brought with him a wife and seven 
children, namely: David !'... Jacob, Jane F. Foster, William, Hannah Treble, 
John, James. In [810, when the Indians became troublesome, he removed 
his family to Fort Hopkins north of Princeton. He wenl to the war as a 
mmeber of Captain Hargrove's company. He was an early justice of the 
peace and performed mam marriage ceremonies. \ftcr the war he settled 
ii of Princel 
\bou1 [808 came Daniel Putnam and Zachariah Taylor, with their fam- 
ilies. Putnam was at one time county commissioner. Among the old and 
respected pioneer families of the county are the McGarys. Robert McGary 
emu From Kentucky with his family in [809, and settled in the timber, 

ared a small trac nmd, erected a log cabin, in section 9, township 

2, range 11. and pul out a small patch of corn. He did not raise much corn 
and had to depend that year on his hunting and bees. As the name would 
indicate, the McGarys were of Scotch-Irish ancestry. Ro 
Miss Davis. They reared a large family, among whom were Hugh, Har- 
rison I).. Daniel, William IT.. P row. The two first mentioned sons 
wen ed in the early county. Harrison D., >on of Hugh, was a 

lier in the Indian war and fought in the battle of Tippi He wa 

farmer by occupation, lie first married Hattie Gudgel, and second, Nancy 
Pritchett, daughter of John, an <>ld settler By this latter union there were 
three sons, Hugh I'.. William II. and Joseph EC. William II. was a member 

Compam A, Fifty-eighth Regiment Indiana Volunteer Infantry, and was 
killed at the hattie of Stone's River December 31, [862. Hugh D. enlisted in 

mpam I >. Sixteenth Illinois Infantry. Joseph l\. in Compam E, Forty- 

md Indiana Regiment. Harrison McG home was a half mile west 

of McGary's Station, where he died in 1847. '' cnec ' m , ^~' > - The) 

members 1 if the Methodist church. 

About the t8io there was quite an infln 

whom was John Armstrong, who was descended from Irish parents born 

in North Carolina, i I i- parent- died when he was young and at the age of 

irteen he went to sea, where he made his home until he grew i" manhood. 
During his sailor days he was shipwrecked three times. He quit sea-faring 
and married Mary Swayne. Her parent rom 

■land and settled "ii Nantucket island. \fter his marriage Mr. Arm- 
strong returned t" North Carolina, subsequent!} moved t" Kentucky and in 
I, with his family, came to Gibson 1 mi He afterward moved to the 



58 GIBSON COUNTY, INDIANA. 

north part of Vanderburg county, where he resided until his death. He had 

seven children, four sons and three daughters. One of his sons. Miles Arm- 
strong, was a noted hunted and killed a great number of deer and bears. He 
served as a private soldier at the battle of Tippecanoe and after that war he 
was made captain of militia. Elsberry, another brother, was also in the 
Tippecanoe battle. By the marriage of Nancy, the Waters and Armstrong 
families were united. Other settlers to the county about this time were 
William Forbes, Charles Cross, Fielding, Zachariah and Oliver Lucas, with 
their families. Capt. Henry Hopkins settled on the Sanford Howe place. 
William Latham was an early settler and left many descendants who are 
residents of Gibson county. Absalom Linn and family also came in 1810. 
In 1810 Morgan Leathers located with his family in the hamlet later styled 
Patoka. He had a wife and several children. He was a man of stalwart 
build and daring courage and was regarded as one of the strongest men of 
the county. Fist tights at that period were resorted to to settle most difficul- 
ties and on a warm August day, a few years after he came here, and at a 
gathering in Fatoka. he had a dispute with John Robb. A ring, as was then 
the custom, was soon formed and seconds chosen and then the fight began. 
Both were very powerful men and equally matched. They fought for a long 
time in the intense heat until both were exhausted and quit. Leathers died a 
few minutes afterwards from the effects of the severe struggle. His son, 
William Leathers, who later resided near the old Severns place, was born in 
Kentucky in 1806 and came here with his parents in 1810 and after he grew 
up he married for his first wife Mary, the daughter of the pioneer. John 
Severns. Robert Slaven, with a large family, came in 1810, and car- 
ried on the first blacksmith shop at Fatoka. His sons, John and Samuel, 
belonged to Hopkins' company and fought at Tippecanoe. Daniel McFet- 
ridge, a native of North Carolina, located in section 6. township 1, range 10, 
at an early date. He had a family of four children by his first wife and five 
by a second marriage. John O. McFetridge is a son of his and Jemina. wife 
of W. A. Spain, is a daughter of his. Col. Smith Miller came to the county 
with the McFetridges, and grew to manhood here and married Susan Robb, 
daughter of James Robb. He was in the constitutional convention of 1851 : 
was a representative in the state Legislature and in 185O was elected to Con- 
gress from this district and re-elected in 1858. He was a Democrat. He died 
about 1872. Eli Strain, who settled in the county in 1810, was a native of 
North Carolina. He located a mile and a half west of Princeton. He was 
in the ranger service ami participated in the battle of Tippecanoe. Fie had a 



GIBSON COUNTY, I NDIANA. ;c| 

family of seven children, only two of whom were living in [884. Other 
early settlers were James Steward, John Roberts and William Leach with 
their families. The < >verton and Vaughn families wen- also pioneers. < >ne 
of thi prominenl settlers of t8u was Jesse Emerson, who came from Ken- 
tucky and located about five miles southwesl ol Princeton on the north 
quarter of section 28, township 2, range 11. : [1 the usual log house 

■ ■I the day and began carving out of the wilderness a home for himself and 
family. Upon the organization of the county he was called upon to sen 
associate judge of the court and afterward held other offices and places ol 
trust, lie was quite a conspicuous man among the early settlers. He died 
abou 1837. Reuben Emerson, brother of Jesse, came to Gibson county 
in 1813 and settled in section 32, township 3, range 1 1. where he dud in 1832. 
lie reared a good sized family and left a large estate. 

Prettyman Marvel was horn in Delaware in [760, where he grew to 
manhood, married and had two children born t" him and removed to Georgia. 
From there in [807 he came to Indiana territory, settling in the forest a 
short distance south of where Princeton was later located, where he resided 
until 1S11. In that year he moved to the southern part of the count) and 
two years later went to Illinois, where, in [859, he died. His family num- 
bered nine children, one of whom was 1'atienee. who lived to the old age of 
ninety years. Elisha Marvel, a cousin of Prettyman, broughl his familj here 
in [809 and settled the Samuel Redman p nship. He had 

en children, all deceased in 1884 exo a Martin, near Ft. Branch. 

James Knowles, also from Delaware, came in 1 Llth- 

wesl quarter of section 23, township 3, range u. He had nine childn 

rr, Thomas Ucorn, the Lucases and several others settled 
in the southwestern part of this county about the date last mentioned. 

sha Embree was a native of Lincoln county, Kentucky, born in t8oi, 
and m November, 1N11. came with his parents to Indiana territory; they 
settled on a tract of land about two and one-half miles southwest of Princeton. 
Ihe name of his father was Joshua and his mother's name Elizabeth Embi 
1 nee Edmonson). Joshua was by Pirth a KenUxkian ; his wife of Virginia. 
It was a densely timbered district 111 which they settled and they erected a 
cabin and cleared a small farm lie was a member of the Baptist and his 
wife of the Christian church : he lived only two years after coming here I P- 
widow subsequently married a Mr Spencer and lived here until her death, in 
Inne. 1829, Elisha Embree received such an education as the district schools 
of that period afforded, read law with Indue Samuel Hall and began pracl 



60 GIBSON COUNTY, INDIANA. 

in Princeton in 1826. On March 15, 1827, he was married to Eleanor Robb, 
daughter of Robert and Mary Robb. Judge Embree for many years was a 
prominent man of Gibson count)-. He and his wife had born to them six 
children: Maria Louisa. James T.. Ophelia (died in infancy), Ophelia, 
Elizabeth (died in infancy), David F and Milton P. Judge Embree died in 
1863. His widow lived to a ripe old age. 

Andrew Gudgel, grandfather of the late Andrew Gudgel of Columbia 
township, was a man whose career is worth} of record in this connection. He 
was of German origin and settled in Pennsylvania. He was thrice married and 
was the father of seventeen children. The maiden name of his last wife was 
Elizabeth Kane. After the Revolutionary war had ended, he, like many of his 
da. . concluded to emigrate to the "Far West," as this section was then styled. 
So in 1785 he set out with his family for Kentucky, a region then being 
wrested from the savages by Daniel Boone and his heroic companions. 
After a tedious trip they arrived at Silver creek, a strip of country between 
the present cities of Lexington and Frankfort, where he erected a cabin and 
subsequently built a grist-mill on Silver creek, which was run by water power. 
He operated this mill many years. < (wing to a defective land title in Ken- 
tuck}- he lost a farm of six hundred acres on which this mill was located. 
He came to Indiana territory in 1811, settling in the big timber about two 
miles east of present Owensville. Here he cleared a small patch of ground, 
built a log cabin ami subsequently built a better house in which he later died. 
While in Kentucky he, through exposure, lost the use of his legs, hut, with his 
great energy, he would chop and clear up brush around his cabin for hour-, 
while sitting in a chair. The following incident shows his pluck: During 
the Indian trouble of about that time his family all went to Fort Branch for 
protection, where there was then a strong block-house erected for the settlers. 
This plucky old pioneer would not go to the fort, hut insisted on remaining 
or staying at home in his own cabin to take care of things. The Indians 
frequently came to his place and would stroll into his cabin and, while the old 
man was sitting in his chair, fearless of danger, the wild savages would 
walk around him, frequently patting him on the head and, in their rude 
fashion, complimented him on his bravery. It is one of the peculiarities of 
the Indian character to admire bravery in those whom they regard as their 
foes. His last and third wife survived him a few years By his last mar- 
riage he had three children, Nancy, who married Mr. Teel, and Hetty, who 
became the wife of Harrison McGary. Roth Teel and McGary were old and 
prominent settlers in that part of the count}- and many of their descendants 



ISON ml M V. INI. | \\ \. (,| 

live here yet, ["he onlj son b) the lasl marriage was William Gudgel, father 
el the late Andrew Gudgel of Columbia township. 

In [812 William French married Mary Breading in Fayette county, 
Pennsylvania, of which they were both residents. Immediately after their 

wedding they gathered together their worldly g Is, loaded them on a flat- 

boat, floated out of tin Monongahela into the Ohio, down to the 
Evansville, and then made an overland trip to Patoka, where they squatted on 
a igui of timber land, erected a cabin, and later built a good brick building 
They reared a familj oi four sons, several of whom resided here a few years 
ago. Peter Simpson, with a wife and seven children, moved from Kentucky 
tn this county in [812 and one oi his sons, Richard, became a well-known 
citizen. One of the early merchants "t the county was Robert Stockwell, 
who came here [815; he did a large business m Princeton for man) years. 
The Kirkman family, from \nrth Carolina, included James, who came in 
ism. to 1 hristian county, Kentucky, and in January. [813, settled in Gibson 
county, Indiana, west of Owensville, and the next year came to Princeton. 
lie had ten children, the must prominent of whom was Joseph J. Kirkman. 
lie was popular with the masses ami was mam times elected shei the 

county, lie was a crack shut, which accomplishment was then regarded very 
highly, lie was a great stnry teller, lie died March 9, [879, in his seventy- 
ninth year. 

Mrs. Nancj Stormont, wife "t David Stormont, who was born in [re- 
land, ami emigrated t" America before the Revolution, came with a family 
■ •I' eight children ami her mother. Mrs. Mary Boyd, tn In. liana, in the spring 
[81 • Mrs. Boyd was the first person buried in the \rcher cemetery. 
She settled about three miles northwest of where Princeton now stands on the 
farm where later her son David lived ami died. The names of the children 
were Martha. Mary, Robert, Esther, Samuel. Nancy, David ami John. David 
was born August 7. [802. Robert was a carpenter ami died in Princeton. 
Nancy married Joseph Martin of Princeton. 

I'll. sTMMs 

I., the present generation the customs of the old days seem doubly 
attractive, and tn these old people who are left the habits ami modes of pres- 
ent-da) life do nut hold the beauty ami fondness of the old-time manners 
I he generous spirit of hospitalit) that was inside every threshold in the days 
of our fathers is not lure now. The traveler todav, no matter how stormv 



62 GIBSON COUNTY. INDIANA. 

the night, must seek his bed the best he can; every door is not open to him 
as it once was. The neighborly hospitality has disappeared. The pre- 
dominance of wealth is a new element in American civilization, and with the 
coming of it there have flown many of the old virtues which are fostered 
only where common poverty exists. The early settlers were not poor, for 
what they had was sufficient to make their lives comfortable, without useless 
luxuries. Their food was wholesome, their clothing warm, and there was 
nothing else to be desired in the simple routine of their lives. The rifle, the 
axe. the cabin, were the sole necessities, for with these in hand the forests 
yielded plentiful game, the streams an abundance of fish, and the strong arm 
of the pioneer supplied the rest. 

The cabins were built by laying large logs down in position as bases. 
Sleepers were placed upon these, and on top of the sleepers were placed the 
rough puncheons which were to serve as floors. These were hewn by hand. 
The logs were then piled up the sides until the height for the eaves had been 
reached. Then poles were stretched across the tops, projecting about two 
feet beyond the Avail line. On the projected ends were placed the "butting 
poles," which served to give the line for the first row of clap-boards. The 
clap-boards were split from logs and laid so as to lap a third over each other. 
After this was completed, the chinks and cracks were filled with sticks and 
clay. The fireplace at one end was, of com ;e, indispensible, serving for both 
heating and cooking purposes. Skins of animals were hung on the interior of 
the cabin, and thus helped to hold the heat. The inner bark of bass wood was 
sometimes used for the same purpose. Square windows would be cut through 
the logs, and greased paper used as a covering. The furniture of the log 
house harmonized with the house itself, being made of logs, roughlv shaped 
into chairs, benches, beds and tallies. Butcher knives were often the only 
table ware, although knives and forks made of pewter were not uncommon. 
The pioneer woman would be a curiosity to the twentieth-century lady, 
with her split skirts, cosmetics and studied airs. However, she would be a 
model worthy of emulation. Simplicity was the keynote of the pioneer 
woman's life. In her habits, customs, work and pleasures, she was ac- 
customed to the very primitive, ami she desired nothing else. Little luxuries 
of dress, elegant habits ami the trifles which we have been taught to believe 
are necessary to a woman's life, were unknown to the pioneer woman. Be- 
fore the break of dawn these sturdy women were up, arranging the cabin and 
'king the food for the day. The men brought in the wild meat, and, the 
wives, daughters and sisters prepared it. Coarse bread, Johnny-cake, greens. 



GIBSON CO! NTYj (NDJ WW. 63 

mush and milk, com, pumpkins, beans, squashes, potatoes, pot-pies, honey, 

and. most important, the meat of the forest, were the staple articles of f 1. 

Maple sugar was much used. Besides the general cooking, the women 
wove all of the clothing. Linse\ woolsey was the common cloth of the 
woman. I'he chain of this cloth was of coarse cotton, and the filling of wool. 
Blue, turkey-red and copperas were the favorite colors of this rather fanta; 
cloth. The loom was a necessary article of even household's furniture. 
Jeans and linsey-woolsey shirts were made for the men. ami the women often 
gathered, ten or twelve in one home, and had as ■ Head coverings 

were made from the skins of small animals. Moccasins and heavy hide- sh( 
were worn, although the pioneers were not aversi ing barefooted. 

Quilting bees, sewing circles, corn huskings, house raisings and log rollings 
were about the only means the settler had for social gatherings. The church 
buildings were few and miles betwi regular services were held. 

!i family conducted its own religious ceremonies, generally before 1 
time. The father read the Bible and offered a brief prayer, and never did 
they partake of a meal without the blessing. Thi i is not now so com- 

tli the pioneer. 
Dancing was indulged in often, and a barrel of liquor was generally on 
hand, although it was never drunk to >rn huskings were held a( 

the corn had been gathered and, piled in a heap al the homes. All the 

young men and vomen won the rare was on. The 

young man finding a red ear among the \ 

i if kissing the prettiest h a 

. hieh la-ted until sunrise. Skill in w npment. 

foot, v lents which the 

fi ir, and intents they were ju< 

the Fights were not uncommon, Iml thi 

the rwo men with a quarrel to settle did nol think ol inything 

luu up and fought f 

the tally better friend- than ever ;tom 

poured water for the loser i" wash tl nd then 

the r formed the saim for the wini 



CHAPTER [V. 

ORGANIZATION OF GIBSON COUNTY. 

In the beginning all was a wilderness. This wilderness was situated in 
the Northwest Territory. In 1784 this part of the American republic was 
ceded to the United States by Virginia. It remained a vast empire, as it 
were, by itself. The state of Indiana was organized April 19, 1816, and the 
following June adopted its first constitution. Gen. Arthur St. Clair was first 
governor of Indiana Territory; William H. Harrison, governor from 1800 
to 1812. and Thomas Posey from 1812 to 1816. Hie first governor of the 
state of Indiana was Jonathan Jennings, serving from 1816 to 1822., 

In March, 1813, what is now Gibson county was made a separate county 
organization, it having before that been a part of Knox county. Since then 
portions of its territory have beeen taken off and assisted in making the 
counties of Posey, Vanderburg, Pike and Warrick. It derived its name from 
Gen. John Gibson, a gallant soldier of the French and Indian and Revolu- 
tionary wars. By birth he was a Pennsylvanian, born in Lancaster in May, 
1740, and was well educated. He was of Scotch-Irish ancestry. In bis 
youth he served under General Forbes, who commanded an expedition against 
Fort DuOuesne. the present site of Pittsburgh. In 1763 he was captured 
by the Indians ami was adopted by an Indian squaw whose son he had slam 
in battle. With them he had an opportunity to master several languages, as 
well as learn the customs of various Indian tribes. This made him efficient 
as a trader and government official. He was finally released and returned to 
business at Pittsburgh. It was he who later translated and put into line 
English the celebrated speech .made by Logan the Mingo chief, which every 
school boy has read and committed to memory in his school days. In 1800 
he was appointed territorial secretary of Indiana, holding that office until 
r8l6. While Ceneral Harrison was engaged in the war of 1812, Gibson 
was acting governor. In old age he was afflicted with an incurable cataract, 
and he died while residing with his son-in-law. George Wallace, at Braddock's 
Fields, near Yincennes. in May, 1822. 

Previous to the meeting of the Legislature by which Gibson county was 
organized, the people had considered favorably the formation of a new 



:.SON COIN I V, [NDIAN \. 65 

count) :m<l had appointed ;i committee to attend the Legislature for that pur- 
pose rhese things were all taking place an even hundred years ago, and, 
really, no other century in the world's history has compared in am degree 
t<> this for its achievements. Within this century — the lifetime of Gib 
count) the submarine telegraph was placed on the vast ocean's bed and 
transmit- news from continent to continent; McCormick invented the mowing 
and reaping machine, that has revolutionized agriculture the world over; 
the Atlantic and Pacific oceans havi been connected by highways of steel and 
iron; great cities have been reared "ii the wilderness plain- of the then un- 
known West. 

U ORGANIZING 

The legislative act creating Gibson county was, in the main, in the fol- 
low ing words : 

"That from ami after the passage hereof all that part of Knox county 
which is included in the following boundaries, -hall form and constitute two 
new counties, that 1- t.> say, beginning at the mouth of the Wabash, thence 
up the same, with the meander- thereof t" the mouth of White river, tin i 
up White river with the meander- thereof to the fork- .if White river, thence 
up the ea-t fork of White river t" where the lines between sections number 
11 township X". i north, of range t -t. thence with said 

line of Harrison county, thence with the line dividing the counties of H 
n and K the Ohio river, thence down the Ohio river i" place of 

"lie it further enacted that the tract of countn included within the 
aforesaid boundaries he and i- hereby divided into two separate and distinct 
counties, b) a line beginning on the Wabash river and km 
by the name of Rector's Base Line, and with said line ea-t until it inter- 
the line .if Harrison county and that from and after the 5th day of April, 
1813, the tract of country following within the, southern division thereof 
-hall he known ami designated b) the name and style of Warrick. And the 
northern division thereof -hall he known a: mated b\ the name and 

style of the count) of Gibson. That the -aid co 

all the rights, privileges ami jurisdictions which to separate of the 

territor) do or may properly appertain ami belong. Provided always that all 
-nit-, plea-, plaint-. and proe which ma) hef ;:h day 

"i May, (813, have been commenced, instituted and pending withm the 
present county of Knox, shall b< final judgment ami effect in 



66 GIBSON COUNTY, INDIANA. 

the same manner as if this act had never been passed. And provided also 
that the territorial and county levies which are now due within the said bonds 
of the said new counties shall be collected and paid in the same manner and 
by the same officers as they would have been if the creation of the said new 
counties had not taken place. 

"Lie it further enacted that so soon as the place for holding the courts 
for the said county of Gibson be established, the judges of the courts of com- 
mon pleas m said county shall within six months thereafter proceed to erect 
the necessary public buildings for the same, in such place in the same manner 
as is required by law in respect to other counties, and after the public build- 
ings are so erected, the courts of the said count)' shall adjourn to the said 
place at their next term alter the same shall have been completed, which shall 
be and the same is hereby declared to be the seat of justice of the count}' of 
Gibson. Be it further enacted that until the public buildings of the said new 
county shall be completed the court of common pleas for the count}' of Gib- 
son shall be held at the house of William Harrington, in said count}'. Pro- 
vided also that all officers, both civil and military, in the bounds of the said 
new county shall continue to exercise the functions of their respective offices 
as officers of the said new county until some other legal organization shall 
take place in same manner as if the formation of the said new county had 
not taken place. 

"James Dill, 
"Speaker of the House of Representatives. 

' 'J A M ES BeGGS, 
"President of the Legislative Council. 
"Approved March 9, 1813. 
"John Gibson, 

"Secretary of the Territory*." 

COUNTY DIVIDED INTO TOWNSHIPS. 

The first term of the court of common plea- convened at the house of 
William Harrington, Monday, Ala}- 10. 1813. This house was one mile and 
a half west of the present city of Princeton. It was a double log house. 
It was blown down in June, 1814, by a terrible hurricane. The building was 
roofed with clapboards, which were held in place by weight poles, and when 
the building fell one of Mr. Harrington's daughters was crippled. The 
house was immediately rebuilt. Those present at this term of court were 
William Harrington. Isaac Montgomery and Daniel Putnam, all judges. 



GIBSl IN COUNTY, INDIANA. 67 

The court at once proceeded to set off civil townships, in the following <>rder: 
All that portion <>t the count) east of Co n the bounds of 

Gibson county, form one township to be designated by the name of Madison 
township, and that tract >>i' country west of Madison township, and lying 
between White river and Patoka 1 spelled in the record erroneousl) "Pattoco") 
river, Pike county, form a township known as White River township, and 
the tract^of country lying between I ver and Anderson's creek, from 

the mouth thereof and up the same to where John Barber now lives, thence 
due south t" the line of Warrick county, form a township known as Patoka. 
1 Irdered that all thai tract of country lying between Anderson's creek, the 
Wabash river and Black river, up t<> the plantat fames Mutes, thence 

due south to the line of Warrick county, form Montgomery township; that 
tion of country south and west of Black river, and in the hounds of I 
county, t" form and he known as Black River township. 
Th • five sub-divisions "t' Gibs nt) set off b) the first court. 

Commissioners for assessment were appointed b\ the judges a- follows: 
In Madison township, Hosea Smith: in White River, Jonathan Gulick; in 
Patoka, John Barker; in Montgomery, John W. Maddox, and in Black River 
township, Thomas Robb. Thus was the county's first machinery set in 
motii 'it. 

L0< vTING Tilt: COUN IV -I 

At a special session "f' the court of common plea- held February 14. 
1814, with Judges William Harrington, Joseph Montgomery and Daniel Put- 
nam in charge, matters of greal importance came up, including the locating 
of a -cat of justice for Gibson county. It was at that date the locating com- 
mittee appointed by the territorial Legislature. [813, made their rep"rt 

I'hey reported that they had fixed upon the northeast quarter • ■!' section 7. 
in township _' south, range to west, one hundred and sixty acre-, which was 
pun 1 the United Stat rnment, and it was ordered by the court 

that the lir-t payment, eighty dollars, he made. Henry Hopkins had 
viously donated eight) acre- adjoining the above purchase. Upon request 
of the commissioners Robert M. Evans, a- count) agent, entered the ai 
-aid quarter section and afterward transferred it t" the county. The com- 
missioners who located the county -eat were William Prince. Robert I'li 

\hel Westfall and William Polk. 



68 GIBSON COUNTY, INDIANA. 

TOWN IS NAMED. 

The court then adjourned until Wednesday, February 16th, at the home 
of Henry Hopkins, and it was at that session that this action was recorded, 
the name for the seat of justice having been hit upon by drawing of lots 
among the commissioners. Captain Prince winning. 

"The court took into consideration the propriety of establishing some 
suitable name for the seat of justice for Gibson county; whereupon ordered 
that the seat of justice in and for the county of Gibson be hereafter known 
and designated by the name and style of Princeton. 

"The court then went into the consideration of a plan for the town of 
Princeton. 

"Whereupon the following plan was adopted, viz: The publick square 
and seat for the publick buildings is to be laid off in the most suitable manner 
so as to include as near central as convenient a certain stake to be set up by 
the judges of the court; the said publick square is to be laid off eighteen poles 
square, making two acres and four poles: the town, both in and out lots, to 
be laid off from the publick square in such manner as to leave each street in 
said town sixty feet wide, and the in lots to be laid in squares of eighteen 
poles each way; each square is to be divided into four equal squares, so as to 
make each in lot nine rods square containing one-half acre and one square 
rod each. The out lots to be laid off in such manner as may lie thought most 
suitable by the agent when the same comes to be sruveyed. 

"There shall Lie four streets laid out, two on each side of the square of 
lots on which the publick square lies, extending from the north to the south 
side of the town tract — the said lots to be sold on the following terms, viz: 
One-third of the purchase money to be paid within six months from the day 
of sale, the balance in twelve months from the da}- of sale, the sale to com- 
mence on the fourth Monday of March next, and continue three days, viz : 
from ten o'clock in the forenoon until three o'clock in the afternoon of each 
day." 

However, at the next session, March 10, 1814, at the Harrington home, 
some alterations were made so that each lot should contain one-half acre and 
one square rod. Meantime action relative to the public buildings was being 
taken. 

The surveys had been made by Ebenezer Buckingham and John Breathitt 
and on the date in March when sale opened the first lot was sold to Alexander 
Devin for sixtv-one dollars and fifty cents, at the southeast corner of the 



GIBSl IN COl NTYj [ND] \ V \. 

public square where the Shoptaugh drug store now is. h I >evin also bought 
other lots at smaller sums. \pnl 1-1 James Stone boughl a lot for sixty-one 
dollars and fift) cents and A. Donnell gol one for fifty-three dollars. The 
next day Joseph Stoker paid one hundred and fiftv dollars for one on the 
square, and William Barker bought a number of lots. Barker went in for 
dilation, and lot business was real lively for a while. 

rhe gount} commissioners made the following statemenl concerning the 

tion i if the new count) si 

"In making the selection for the seat of justice for Gibson count) your 
commissioners have had clue regard to future divisions of said county, as 
well as the present, and future prospects of population and the country that 
will admit population. Previous to fixing any site your commissioners ex- 
amined that district of countn acknowledged b) all to be the mosl central as 
well as the most eligible point for the scat of justice of i county Al- 

though the poinl fixed upon is not the very spot on which the center will 
(taking into view a future division), yet your commissioners were of the 
opinion that local advantages would justify their receding a mile or two from 
the very center itself. In giving your honors a view of the inducements which 
led tn this p. .mi as the proper site for the seat of justice, it may not he- im- 
proper t< that in tl I your commissioners the future division 

of the count) of Gibson will be by the range line which divides ranges ~ and 
8, and if so, the place now fi n will ever rem.! rmanenl 

or that pari which lies west of the contemplate ine. 

"I' lining whether the northeast quarter of section 7. township _• 

ith. range No. 1 west, could be procured it was ry to prevent specu- 

lation that some one in whom mmissioners could confide should be 

consulted on that subject. They, thei consulted Robert M. Evans and 

Isaac Montgomery, I rom whom they learned thai that quarter section 

could be secured at the United Slat for the county. Colonel !• • 

now informs us that he has niadi nd paid the deposit for the qt 

ter section and is ready to transfer it to any person whom the court may 
appoint for that purpose. The bond of Henry Hopkins for the ince 

of his donation, with the exception therein - also the offer? 

donations which we received, are herewith snbmitl 

I'h then appoint Robert M. I for the county. 

It was this Evans for whom thi named, when later 

inized by him. Vgi nd dollars bond for 

faithful performance of his duties, James Met \ illiam Lathom 

In mdsmen. 



/O GIBSON COUNTY. INDIANA. 

Concerning this organization of Princeton the following item published 
in the Vmcennes Sun, .March 12, 1814, will be of interest here: "A notice 
nf the !ir>t sale of lots in Princeton, Indiana, to take place on the fourth Mon- 
day in March, i.Sj 4. described Princeton as situated in Gibson county, on 
Richland creek, a beautiful and never failing system, about three miles from 
Sovern's ferry, on Pattoco, and about four miles from Columbia, on the same 
river, at each of which places there is an excellent mill site, where nothing 
but labor is wanting to the erection of good saw mills. Princeton being situ- 
ate about central between the mouth of Big Pigeon and Vincennes, at a place 
where nearly all the public roads leading through the county will naturally 
concentrate, cannot fail to become a flourishing and populous town." 

A perusal of this prospectus of Princeton, and the advantages of its lo- 
cation, issued by a prophet a hundred years ago, will cause a smile by people 
i Princeton today, especially when they think of the advantages afforded 
by the location on the beautiful and never failing stream of Richland creek, 
which is now the very insignificant town branch. 



CHAPTER \ 



COUNTS Gi l\ ! K\ VI 



mt K-^, like states and nations, have a government peculiar to tl. 
selves. Ot recent years the county commissioners, or supervisors, are tin- 
men who arc entrusted with the affairs of the county. The\ sec that proper 
buildings, roads and bridges are provided; also see that taxes arc levied and 
collected according to law and that the -^h< >■ >1- arc kept up by appropriations 
and thai the unfortunate poor within the be well cared for, when tl 

ome county charges. These and a score more duties devolve upon the 
several commissioners who ^et their own time for meeting ons and are 

really the head of the county government. 

Gibson county has been under various forms ot local authority since 
its organization in 1813. First the business of the county was in the hands 
of the court of common pleas, which lasted until the change was made t" the 
county commissioner system, which existed until 1824, when a change was 
effected by which the affairs were in the hands of persons known as in-i 
of the peace for the county, one from each civil township in the county. 
These were known as boards of justices, the first of which met September 6, 
1824. Their last meeting was July. [83] alter which was inaugurated the 
present system of county commissioners. But, not content with "letting well 
enough alone," the lawmakers again changed and there was again the board 
ol justices. From 1836 on the commission system has obtained in Indiana, 
and well it is. too. While it is doubtful whether ■ >r not the system is as per- 
is in other commonwealths, yet the present system has few faults. 

EEDINGS OF E \R\ Y I MISSION 

\itcr attending to the matter of setting off and org 
1 townships in this county, the attention of the law-making 
called t" that "i" the appointment "i Jessi >n and William McCormick, 

to manage tl ■ ns of land fi >r th 

At the May, 1813, term a tavern licens* inted t" Gervis Hazelton 

upon the payment of a fee "i four dollars per year. be charged 

were as follows : One meal 1 nts; on< 'rn. 

twelve and a half cents: one-half gallon oat 1 a hall cents; 



72 GIBSON COUNTY, INDIANA. 

night's lodging, twelve and a half cents; hurst- at hay, twelve hours, twenty- 
live cents. 

On May n, 1813, the matter of providing for the first laid-out road in 
the county was taken under advisement. The recorded proceedings show the 
following: Joseph Decker, of White River township, presented a petition 
that a road fifteen feet wide be cut out ( it must be remembered by the reader 
that in 1813 that section of this county was densely timbered) from Deckers 
ferry, on White river, to Severns' ferry, on Patoka river, thence to intersect 
the Saline road at or near the plantation of Robert M. Evans. And it was 
also ordered that Abraham Decker. Robert Falls and James Robb be ap- 
pointed to view and mark out the road. The court also appointed Robert 
Crow supervisor of the above road with authority to call on all the working 
hands in White River township to assist in making the same, and was also 
ordered to keep the road in repair when made. This thoroughfare was the 
first county road built and maintained after the organization of the count}". 
Jeremiah Harrison was appointed supervisor of the road from Hogan's 
ferry, on Patoka, to Richland creek, near the residence of William Harring- 
ton, also from Severns' ferry, on the Patoka, to where the road intersects the 
Saline road. Azariah Avers was appointed supervisor of the road from 
Richland creek to Anderson creek, and was full}' authorized to call on all the 
able-working men between those two creeks in the bounds of Patoka town- 
ship (except those residing on the waters of Pigeon) to maintain and keep 
the same in good repair, The court appointed Joshua Embree supervisor of 
the road through Montgomery township, from Anderson's creek to opposite 
John Hunter's. All residents east of Hunter's place were required to assist 
in maintaining this road. And for the Saline road, from opposite John 
Hunter's to Black River, Rohert Anderson was appointed supervisor and 
the residents west of Hunter's, in Montgomery township, were required to 
.assist in keeping the road in repair. John Waller was appointed supervisor 
for that part of the Saline road which lies in Black River township. Probably 
the most important road projected in this time was from the south end of 
Robert M. Evans' lane to the line of Warrick count}-, there to intersect with a 
road then opening from Anthony's Mill toward Patoka. Elias Baker was 
appointed supervisor. It was required that the road lie cut twenty feet wide 
and the residents living in the two Pigeon settlements were to aid in making 
the road and for so doing were to he exempt from working on any other 
road. James McClure .was appointed supervisor of the road from the south 
end of Robert A!. Evans' lane to where the new road leaves the old Red Bank 
road ami lie was authorized to summon the hands living between Richland 



GIBSON COl N n . i m>i VNA. 73 

creek and Patoka, together with those on the south end of Richland creek, 
within one mile of said road to assisl in keeping the same in good condition. 
In all there were eight road districts made l>\ this court and each was pro- 
■ ided w nil a sup< n isor. 

It was aboul this date thai a second inn or tavern license was granted, 
thi> one to Eli Hawkins, of < iolumbia, which was changed in name to ] 'atoka, 
the first town in Gibson count) platted after the organization had been per- 
fected and Princeton had been laid out 

FIRST CONS'J I - TV. 

The county court appointed the following as the first set of constables in 
son county: Madison b Abraham Pea; White River township, 

James Crow, Jr.; Patoka township, William Scales; Montgomery township, 
William Stewart; Black River township, Pater Jones A set of oversei 
the care of the county's poor was also selected at this session in 1813. 

Perry licenses were granted at the May term. [813, and the follow 
ten .ere fixed b) the c< nil : 

Joseph Decker's fern on White river 

Hazelton's terry on White river 4 

John Mcjunkins 1 fern on White river 4.1 

n Decl ferry <>n White river 4.1 

"ii Patoka 

Edmund Hogan's ferry on Patoka 

Hie rate- to be charged at these ferries <■ porting people and -1 

were a- follow.' ' dollar for each four-wh carriage and 
driver: for each two-wheeled carriage, horse and driver, fifty cents; each man 

and horse, twelve and a 1 all" vent-: each hor 1 ach 
attle four cents 

The business of th much labi >r and 

rything 1 fine, readable handv en today 

in searching the records at the court housi cl by 
William Harrington, P. J. 1 which meant 

1 11 1 

was 1 irdered : I 
land, t went nts ; for each hun and 

one-fourth cents; for each Inn md one- 



74 GIBSON COUNTY, INDIANA. 

fourth cents; for each horse creature, over three years old, thirty-seven and 
one-half cents. 

Finding that more items should be added to the innkeeper's rates, the 
county authorities, in 1814, made this order of rates to be charged the public 
at taverns within Gibson county: Each half pint of whisky, eighteen and 
three-fourths cent--: each half pint of peach or apple brandy, twenty-live cents; 
each half pint of wine. rum. or French brandy, fifty cents; for each quart of 
cider or cider oil, twenty-five cents. Those were days when the "fathers of 
the county" did not see any harm in drinking spirituous liquors : in fact, it 
was several decades before the matter of temperance was agitated to any 
considerable extent by the people in this country. 

The matter of providing roads and suitable fording places and bridges 
occupied the attention of the county officials more than an} - other one item of 
routine business. It has ever been the case in all new countries. 

At the January, 1814. session the meeting was still held at the house of 
William Harrington, with the same judges as before presiding. -The firsl 
term held at the new court house — the special term of June 19. 1815 — was 
indeed an important one in the business of the county, as it witnessed the 
dedication of the "temple of justice." and had presiding judges as follows: 
Willis ( - < >sbourne and Jesse Emerson. 

The printing bill for this county was eleven dollars in 1816, and the 
printer was Elihue Stout, of Vincennes. \t the same session William Prince 
was allowed one hundred and twenty-five dollars lor services as county agent 
for one year. 

At the Mav term, 1816, perhaps the most important transaction was the 
election of delegates to a constitutional convention. The election was held 
on May 13, 1816, and those elected as superintendents by townships were: 
From Madison township. Henry Brenton, the election held at the house of 
Hosea Smith;, for White River township, Jonathan Gulick, election held at 
the house of James Robb; for Patoka township, Isaac Montgomery, election 
at the court house; for Montgomery township. James Stewart, election to be 
held al the house of Walter Montgomery; for Black River township, Peter 
Jones, election at the house of Langston Drew. 

At the May session in 1816 it was ordered that a new township be made 
from a part of Madison township, and that the same be known as Harbinson 
township. This was the sixth township formed in Gibson county. 

Up to the last date mentioned the public square at Princeton had been 
laid out to the commons, but the authorities at this time ordered a good posl 
and rail fence to enclose the grounds. 



GIBSON I "I \ TV. I MM WW. 75 

BO \KH "i RS. 

unty records show thai the mmissioners 

mel al Prino S| 7 William Hargrove and Thomas Mont- 

gomery appeared with their credentials of office. Their oath was taken 
before and signed up on record by Robert M. Evans, clerk, and Henrj I! 
kins, sheriff. 

Among the first acts performed by the ■ ding 

of the county into three townships and establishing the boundaries "f the 
respective townships as follows : That part of thi ■• the Patoka 

river and west "t" the line dividing the county of Gibson and Pike was 
nated as White River township. Thai p of the Patoka river and 

between said river and Anderson's creek and a due south course from the 
head of said creek to the line dividing the counties of Gibson ; hall 

constitute Patoka township. Thai part of the west of Anderson's 

creek and a line drawn Auu west from die head "i the same to Pose) county 
and ii' >rtli of the line dividing the counties "t Gibson and Posey was .led. 
Mi mtgomen township. 

Following came tin- first election of justices of tin- peace a- shown by 
the record. The commissioners ordered ;m election to lie held at li 
of Phillip Briscoe, in Montgomery township, election of two just 

and that Joseph Mot be appointed inspector of said election. It was 

alsi d thai an election tal iv in Princeton, Patoka 

township, for the election of two justices,and that I • hapman be ap- 

pointed i". \nd also at the house of James Robb an election be ; 

the same day for the election of two justices for White River township, and 
the inspector of this election was David Robb. The sheriff was directed i" 
ser of the above orders on the respective inspe nd advertise 

the said elections ten days previous to the holi the same, and t>> pro 1 

the ills and I As there were no newspapers in the county 

at that tune, the sheriff advertise in three diffi 

in each • if -A''! towns! 

< >n May 12, [817, James Smart pn ate of hi 

mmissioner and took hi- seal as such, the following then com] 
ing the board: William Hargrove, lames Stuart and Thorn; 

The board increased the rate of t; what over the previous 

Among the inten merated in the 

irrc! these I \ tj sla ■ or •» t 



yb GIBSON COUNTY, INDIANA 

dollars. For every billiard table, fifty dollars. For each hundred acres of 
first rate land, thirty-seven and a half cents. For each hundred acres of 
second-class land, twenty-five cents, and twelve and a half cents for the third 
rate land. For each town lot, fifty cents oh each hundred dollars of its value. 

It will be observed that up to this time and during the administration 
of affairs, under the territorial laws, slaves were not taxed. But after the 
admission as a state and the adoption ui the constitution, and the promulga- 
tion of laws under the same, slaves in Indiana became taxable property On 
the 12th of May, 1817, the commissioners appointed James \Y. Jones county 
treasurer, and directed him to file a bond, with approved security, in the sum 
of two thousand dollars; heretofore the sheriff had been ex-officio collector. 
The commissioners at this meeting appointed supervisors for the various road 
districts. 

The county agent was instructed to contract with some suitable person 
to build an estray pen, forty feet square, in the northwest corner of the public 
square. 

The blanks and books for the use of the different offices for the year 
181 7 cost twenty-one dollars, which was not very high in the light of present- 
day bills for such boi iks. 

On November 17, 1817. the sheriff filed a protest with the board with 
regard to the insufficiency of the jail, stating that it was not a safe place to 
confine criminals or even debtors. 

WHIPPING POST. 

For the year [818 the record shows that a certain citizen was indicted 
for passing a counterfeit note on one Marshall D. Tarleton. He was also 
indicted for passing another on John Arbuthnot. lie pleaded guilty in the 
first instance ami was sentenced by the court to pay a tine of thirty dollars 
and receive on his bare back twenty-five lashes. Whipping for crimes was in 
vogue for many years in the territory and state of Indiana, but long years 
since has been abolished. 

At the February meeting of the county board new rates of crossing the 
lower bridge at Patoka were fixed as follows: Team and wagon with driver, 
thirty-seven and a half cents: each two-wheeled carriage, twelve and a half 
cents; each man or horse, six and one-fourth cents; footman, three cents; 
meat cattle, three cents a head: sheep or hogs, one and one-half cents each. 
It will be seen that at that date it cost a man a fraction more than six cents 
to cross a bridge one hundred and fifty feet long, but things had so changed in 



GIBSON COUNTY, INDIANA. JJ 

the early eighties that a man could have crossed the greal steel bridge at St. 
Louis for five cents. The wooden bridge of iSm at Patoka cost bul a hun- 
dred or two hundred dollars, while the steel bridge over the Mississippi al Si 
Louis cost more than thirteen million dollars. 

In [820 the board was chieflj burdened with road matters, hearing peti 
tions and reading remonstrances for same, and the appointment of road 
overseers or superintendents. \t the Ma\ term, that year, besides the regular 
tax list, the hoard added these items for taxation On each four-wheeled 
pleasure wagon, one dollar and twenty-five cents; on each two-wheeled pi a 
ure wagon, one dollar: each silver watch, twenty-five cents, and on each gold 
watch, fifty cent-. 

The taking of the t8 ;o census oi Gibson count} cost the county twelve 
dollars and forty-four cents, paid to Charles Harrington. The order reads 
that he was to receive two dollars per hundred, which would make the popu- 
lation at that date about six hundred and twenty-two, but it is believed that 
tlte enumerator failed to gei the census taken correctly, for there were more 
this would indicate. 

At the November term in [821 the >rdered thai tl 

urer be - appear before them and show 1 hy he had not p 

■ 1st the sheriff and collectors for delinquent taxes, and for his not 

of the hoard he was suspended from office, and lames 

W. Hogue was appointed to till the vacancj thus made in that The 

nstructed to make all needed repairs on the court house, 

aK. . tn proceed to immediately make collection of all monies <\\]v the county 

on lots sold in Princeton. The tax that year amounted to eighl hundred and 

dollars and twenty-five cents. 

At the May term, 1822, the board fixed the rate of tavern licenses in 
ison county at twelve dollars, which in realit 1 them all to run a 

bar in connection with their tavern, and the) were limited each year I 
which should be charged on different kinds of entertainment, including the 
fixed pr : quors. 

In Mo Lavelliotl was authorized to establish a 

ferry on the Wabash river from the Indiana shore to tl site hank of 

Coffee island. He was compi cient" boats for the 

carrying of ] d stcok. 

In the May, 1823, term Johnsi formed b) the commis- 

sion" 

In August, [824, Washington township was formed b\ the board. 



76 GIBSON COUNTY, INDIANA. 

COUNTY GOVERNMENT CHANGES AGAIN. 

According to an act of the General Assembly, passed January 31, 1824, 
the board of county commissioners ceased to exist, and a board of justices 
of the peace took its place in county government affairs. The first meeting 
of the board of justices was held September 6, 1824. The members of this 
board consisted of the following: James Evident, president; James Kitchens, 
Alexander Johnson, Frederick Brunei". William DePriest, Charles Harring- 
ton, Phillip Briscoe, Lewis Harman, Jonathan Gulick. The first act in their 
office was to grant a tavern license to William Daniel. 

At their September, [825, meeting Columbia township was formed. At 
the November term, that year, William B. Demick was appointed trustee of 
the seminary fund. 

In January, 1826, the justices appointed Robert Stockwell county agent. 
Al the March term. 1828, Elisha Embree was appointed county agent. Jesse 
Emerson was appointed to build a bridge across Indian creek, where the state 
road crossed the same, lie was to work in conjunction with the state com- 
missioner of post roads. One-half of the expense was to be paid by this 
county, the other half by the state. An order went forth from this meeting 
to the effect that in case of persons refusing or failing to pay their taxes when 
delinquent they should he obliged t<> pay twice the original amount. 

The records do not show much of historic interest until along about the 
date of May, 1831, when under the new law enacted by the changeable 
whims of the Indiana Legislature, another form of county government was 
ushered in. The old justices consequently ordered the county divided into 
districts for the purpose of electing county commissioners, to-wit : White 
River township, as now laid off, to be the first district, Patoka and Columbia 
townships to be the second, and Montgomery and Johnson to constitute the 
third district. The last meeting of the old board of justices of peace for the 
county was held in July, 1831, when there were present Abram B. Harper, 
James Evans. William McClary, Frederick Bruner, Thomas J. Montgomery. 
Jonathan Gulick and Michael FT. Milton. No business was transacted further 
than to turn over the affairs of the count)' to the newly qualified board of 
county commissioners, which office had been inaugurated for the second time 
in the state's history. 



GIBSON CO! \ I V. I Mil \\ \. 79 

■ 'I \TY ( OM M ISSIONERS. 

5 ptember, (831, the commissioners for the three districts of Gib 
county met. The\ were as follows: ( harles Jones, for the long term ol 
three years; John Milburn. for the two-year term, and Samuel II. Shannon. 
for the 1 me-year term. 

The grand and petit jurymen were then only allowed seventy-five cents 

per day. Tliis shows how close things were run in those pioneer days in the 

county, and realh it was a matter of necessity and n"t stinginess, as the 

money in the country-, under the il and bankini obtained, 

led by no means sufficient means t'> do otherwise! 

In May. 1832, an order was made that i : i field notes 

made at Vincennes he transcribed and properh made of record here. John I. 
Xeeh was appointei al agent for the county, t" convey to tin board 

of trustees of the Patoka "regular" Baptist church a lot in the town 
Princeton, t"i" the sum of thirty dollars. 

The September term of iN^j was lull of important b \ number 

of tavern and store licenses were -ran;' ricts formed, roads and 

brii '-red surveyed and built, etc. < hie hundred and sixty dollars was 

appropriated for the construction of a bridg the Patoka at Crow's 

and Kirk'- mill-. A fire-proof elerk'- office was ordered erected, and the 
contract t"r same was awarded to John I. Neely and Samuel Hall. 

NAVIGATION OF Till: PATOKA. 

Tlie people desiring the improvement "t the Patoka so a- t" afford a 
hetter and safer mean- of navigatii m, the board 1 irdi red the same laid off into 
districts and that commissioners be appointed t" cause tin necessary work to 
he performed. From the mouth of the Columbia mill, formed district N'o. 1. 
with John Uexander, superintendent; from Columbia mill to where the 
Patoka inty formed district V,.. _•. with Richard M. Kirk as 

superintendent. It should he remembered that at that date the Patoka fur- 
in-hed a water highwa) b\ which many of the products "t' Gibson county 
sent away b 1 far distant marl 

-I II I \ 1 . IKM OF 1 

Iii accordance with another lav alth, the county govern- 

ment was again changed hack to that I he first of such 



80 GIBSON COUNTY, INDIANA. 

boards convened in March, 1835, when the following constituted the mem- 
bers present: Asa C. Mills, Duter Jerauld, William French, Thomas J. 
Montgomery, A. D. Foster, Jonathan Gulick, Isaac Welburn, Adam B. 
Harper. Joshua Duncan. 

Among the early matters worth here recording was the following order 
concerning a county seal. It was that a seal should be made of brass, in- 
scribed with the plow and scales and lettered. "Commissioners of Gibson 
County, Indiana." 

About this date more appropriations were made for the completion of 
the navigation impn ivements on the Patoka river. But it must be said such 
money was of no avail, for the stream was never made navigable far from 
its mouth, as it Idled up with drift and flood wood, making the project value- 
less. 

At the November term, 1838, the board received the report of the com- 
missioners to build a bridge across the Patoka at Columbia (now Patoka), 
the cost of which was $7,160.05. If was well built. At the same meeting the 
board organized Wabash township, which was taken from the western part 
of Montgomery township. 

At the January term, 1839, the county board, which had again come to 
be known as "County Commissioners," met on the ~th day of the month and 
made this notation and adjourned: "Ordered, that said board do adjourn 
instanter to the clerk's office in said town of Princeton, the court house being 
unlit for the session of said board." After some routine work, including road 
and bridge matters, the board proceeded to the appointment of John R. 
Montgomery and Elias S. Terry, commissioners to procure plans and esti- 
mates for a court house for Gibson county. They were also ordered to 
ascertain of the banks at Yincennes and Evansville 011 what terms funds for 
building the same could be procured. The board had evidently got cold feet 
that January morning and proposed to have warmer quarter ' 

Coming down through the years to the opening of the ( 'ivil war, one 
finds but little more than regular routine work in the minutes of the county 
commissioners' records. But at a special term held April 24th — less than 
two weeks after Fort Sumter had been fired upon by the secession guns — 
County Commissioners James Hudleson, Henry Gambrel and Joseph Devin 
assembled, at the request of the county auditor, who had power to thus call 
special meetings of the county board. The call was for the express purpose 
of taking some definite action regarding the making of appropriations out of 
the county treasury for the military defense of Gibson county. The commis- 
sioners concluded that they had no power to thus appropriate public money. 




GIBSON COUNTY COURT HOUSE. 



GIBSON < "i \ i v. [NDIANA. 8l 

Joseph Devin, however, dissented from this opinion. He was a merchant of 
Princeton at thai time, ;m<l proved himself a true citizen and patriot as well. 
Later the county board rescinded their ruling and did appropriate funds for 
the relief of families, members of whom were away in the Union army. 
Sometimes the county was withoul necessary funds and tlii-> same comm 

ier, Devin, furnished both monej and goods t" the soldiers' families \\h" 
needed it. therebj preventing ;i discounl of county orders. This should ever 
stand "ii record as a monumenl t" his worthy name. 

FORMA riON "I I \ [ON H lW V S i I It'. 

The last civil township created in Gibson county was Union, which ter- 
ritory was set off from Patoka ami Johnson townships bj an order "i the 
board "t' county commissioners at their May meet [890, upon the peti- 

tizens living in tin' townships of Patoka and Johnson. The 
'and included in tin- newly created sub-division of the county was described 
as follows: "Beginning at the northeast corner "i section 1. township 3, 
ran^ est; thence t" the northwesl corner "f the north arter "t' 

iwnship 3, range 1 1 wot: thence south t" the southwest corner of 
tion 15, township .;. range 11 west; thence wesl t" the northwest corner 
of section 19 township ,}. range 11 west; thence south to the southwi 
ner of section 30, township 1;. range 11 we he southe 

corner ■ >t section -'5. township [3, rai north to be- 

ginning." 

\-.i i . Uterben was appointed by the commissioners as the trustei 
the newh formed township, and R. S. Walters v >inted assess ir. The 

commissioners who signed the above order were Phillip Martin and E. < 
Farmer, 

11 rt noi 

The first business "t' this county was tiansacted al the private residence 
William Harrington. This included i!k first terms 

upied until June. [815, as will lie ' by the f< <1- 

l<iw' inty ha^ hail three coun houses and the same numbei 

William Harrington, at whose hon 

uri were held, from the firsl orj ui of the county to June 

19th, the da\ .hi which tin is first transacted in the new court 



82 GIBSON COUNTY, INDIANA. 

house, was allowed the sum of fifteen dollars on one occasion, as about half 
the total amount he was to have for the use of his house, or rather certain 
rooms in his residence. 

The board of county commissioners ordered the county agent. Robert 
M. Evans, to let the contract for making brick for the construction of the 
first court house, at a cost of not to exceed five dollars and fifty cents per 
thousand. These bricks were made on the public square, near where they 
were needed. 

The general plan of this first temple of justice for Gibson county was 
about as follows: The walls were of brick, thirty-three by forty feet in 
size; the foundation was laid eighteen inches below the surface of the ground; 
the height of the lower story was twelve feet; above the bottom of the 
sleepers, which were one foot above the ground, the wall of the lower story 
was two and a half brick thick and the upper story two brick; there were two 
chimneys, with lire-places. The brick and all the material for the construc- 
tion of the building were furnished by the county. Work was commenced 
September i, 1814. The contractor was Killion Creek — that is. he laid the 
walls — and Samuel Hogue built the roof of this building and furnished tim- 
ber for the window frames, etc., while John Decker had the contract for all 
inside finishing work. The painting was done by the brush of Samuel 
Boicourt. This structure stood and did good service for the new county for a 
quarter of a century, or until 1N41, when it was thought wise to provide 
better quarters for the various count} officials and the courts. 

SECOND COURT [-11 IUSE. 

The count)- authorities appointed Joseph Devin, Samuel Hall and Willis 
Howe commissioners (Devin resigned and Jonathan Young was put in his 
stead i and directed them to procure plans and specifications. The final plan- 
were those furnished by Edward Coleman. The contract for erecting the 
building was awarded to Alfred Poland. The structure was built of brick and 
was completed in 1843, al a cosl l " tnc taxpayers of about nine thousand 
dollars. It was a well built court house, about square in form, and served 
the county until the present line court house was erected in [883. Up to the 
razing of the second building, the public square contained many shade trees, 
some of which were exceedingly large and beautiful. These trees were all 
removed by the grading of the yard except one small maple, which still re- 
mains. 



GIBSOU CO! NTY, I \M W V. 83 

THE THIRD \M> PRESE NT CO HI (USE. 

The corner stone of the present court house was laid June 17, 1884, in 
the presence of several thousand people and with appropriate Masonic cere 
monies, under charge of the various lodges of the county. The building 

mposing red brick, stone trimmed structure, of modern style architecture. 
It is a large, two-story building, over a full ceiling basement, the rooms of 
which arc used by the count) for various lesser count) offices and for store 
room purposes The floors oi the superstructure — second and third floors 
from the ground -arc used for the 1 unit) offices and the large, well- 

tined court room and jurors' rooms. It 1- healed and lighted after strictly 
modem methods. Joseph Miller, of Washington, Indiana, was the contract- 
builder, and for tin- work he received the sum of one hundred and. eighty- 
eight thousand six hundred and sixty-one dollars. This, however, did not 
include the fixtures and furnishings. While this building has stood for al- 
most a third of a century, it seems about as good as when lir-t occupied. It 
really stand- as a monument to the go ise and wisdom oi the men who 

planned it and the taxpayers who voted tion. The commission- 

who contracted for t hi- curt house and served during its construction 
were Sylvester Benson, John S. Mead and Tosiah Kightley. Of this board, 
only one, Sylvesl 1 on | 1 at an advanced .< 

The first county officials t" occup) tin- new court house wit John W. 
Johnson, - auditor; John Sipp, treasurer; Henry P. Chambers, sheriff; James 
S. n. clerk: Solomon Vannada, recorder, all of whom are dead 

1 on 1 Solomon Vannada. Judi 1 1 ir M. Welborn held the first 

curt. 

.1 Ml. HISTORY. 

1 . iunt) . like all inties in the I 'nil mi. ha- had need 1 

at different time-. 11 order t" iafel) house those outlaws and law violators 
who have seen la n> he disobedient and have been hi rial or punished 

by timi In I have Keen three different jail- 

where prisoners havi lilt by the court 

in February, 1S14. and it was then styled the gaol. It- plan- and - 

tied th< folli • 
well imber; tin- lower si between the the 

timber of the wall- t" he twelvi lown so 

that each log may touch the <>ther. There was an inside wall of good timber 



84 GIBSON COUNTY, INDIANA. 

built in the same manner as the miter wall, as high as the first story; a space 
of ten inches was left between the walls, which was filled with hewn timbers 
nine by twelve inches square, set on end, touching each other: the miter wall 
extended seven feet high above the upper flour of the lower story; there were 
three floors of hewn timhers ten inches square, one below, one above and one 
between the upper and lower story. The lower floor was confined down by 
the inside wall of the lower room or dungeon. The second floor was held 
down by the outer wall. There was one small window and two grates in the 
lower story or dungeon. The requirements of the court called for an outside 
door to the upper or debtor's room, and required the shutters to be very 
strong and well hung with iron liars. From the debtor's room there was a 
trap door to go down to the dungeon, with strong bolts and locks to confine 
it down. In the debtor's room there was a division for the separation of 
the sexes, made of hewed timbers, six by ten inches square, with a good door 
and shutter through the wall, with one small window with gates to each 
room. The jail was covered with a roof of clapboards and yellow poplar 
shingles. This jail was erected by Samuel Hogue under a contract with the 
county. It served until [833, when it was considered no longer a proper, safe 
building, as so adjudged l>y the grand jury, who reported it as insufficient and 
not safe for the keeping of prisoners. The board then ordered that Robert 
Stockwell, John Arbuthnot, John I. Neely, Jonathan Gulick, Isaac Montgom- 
ery, Charles Jones and Joshua Duncan lie requested to meet the second Tues- 
day of October, and consult and present a plan for a jail. Also that Robert 
Stormont and Joseph Hartin be the contractors to build a jail on a lot which 
had been purchased for sixty dollars. That jail — the second in Gibson county 
— was completed in the spiring of 1835. when the "Id jail was sold at auction 
and the proceeds used for making a well at the new jail. This building served 
Gibson county many years and until the presenl well-constructed red brick 
structure was built. While the present jail is not thoroughly up-to-date in 
all of its appointments, yet it is comparatively safe and sanitary. The 
jailor's residence is built in connection with the jail. This building is sit- 
uated on the corner of Emerson and Main streets. 

In recent years there have been many improvements made on the public 
square, including the erection oi the magnificent granite monument erected 
by the people of Gibson county in memory of the soldiery of the Civil war, 
of which an extended account is given elsewhere in this volume; also the 
more recent series of electroliers — an electric lighting system of clusters of 
brilliant lights within frosted glass globes, attached to concrete standards 
that line the four sides of the public square. 



GIBSON COUNTY, INDIANA. 
< VRE OF I II I POOR. 

The can- given to the unfortunate poor in am community is always an 
index to the character of the people in that community. Prom tin- earliest 
times in Gibson county such ] >e< >j >k- were usually well cared for — at least the 
provisions of the laws of il i were carried out. It is true thai in lin- 

early years of the county's historj there was not that finer feelin uch 

unfortunates as there has been in more recent years, when a higher state oi 
civilization and a keener Christian unde'rstanding has come to obtain in the 
minds of the common people and the taxpayers in gem 

The first mention mack- Of overseers of the poor in the county records 
bears the date of mi,;, as soon as the county was fairly organized. At the 
\la\ term of court that year the following persons were appointed as ov 
-eer< : Jacob Pea and James Branton in Madison township, Andrew Cun- 
ningham and William Price in White R unship, William Latham and 
Tin .mas Potter in Patoka township, Robert McGan and I'll, .mas Sharp in 
Montgomerj township, Thomas Alman and Samuel lames in Black River 

ship. 

' In June _■ i . 1N15. the court made the following appointments of over- 
rs of the ] r: Jacob Tea and Henry Brenton in Madison township, Rob- 
ert Mosley and Armstead Bennett in White River township, William Har- 
rington and Daniel Putnam in Patoka township, Thomas Sharp and Reuben 
Als..p in Montgomery township, John Waller and John Cox in Black River 
township 

Many years later the commissioners purchased a small tract of land 

about three miles northwesl of Princeton and there established a poor house, 

where paupers were eared for until the purchase of the present farm in 

what is now Union township. This farm was bought by the county from 

Thadeus Rentier, in May, r8oo, for the sum of eleven thousand five hundred 

dollars, and of two hundred and eight a 1 1 qualit; 

land. It is situated on the northeast quarter of section 33, and the northwest 

rter of the southwest quarter of the sam< in township 2, range io 

west. This real estate had upon it. when the county purchased it. an old 

brick farm house which has been rebuilt and somewhat added to and still 

sen es as a o iui 11m. \ new 1 of 

en hundred dollars and m ements made. The farm, how- 

ol nearly support the paupers of the county. The soil and 

the the superintendent, w ho 



86 GIBSON COUNTY, INDIANA. 

hundred dollars per year salary and his keeping, sin >\\ s that there are only 
nineteen inmates at the place now. There are two cooks employed and one 
hired man for general utility work most of the time in late years. Cows, 
sheep and hogs are raised and kept for the use of the institution. Many 
citizens believe that the poor of Gibson county should, in these times, be pro- 
vided for at less expense by simply hiring them boarded, counting the cost of 
operating the present farm and the invested money in the land. 

PRESENT NET VALUATION OF TAXABLES. 

Columbia township $ 704.205 

Patoka township 2,381,945 

White River township 1,299,720 

Washington township 813,405 

Montgomery township 2.768,495 

Johnson township 1.493,435 

Wabash township 589,015 

Barton township 870,085 

Center township 784,840 

Union township 1,455,625 

( ity of Princeton 3.01 1.030 

Town of Owensville 52X.595 

Town of Patoka 194.410 

Town of Fort Branch 465,525 

Town of Hazelton 241.315 

Town of Francisco 126.030 

Town of Oakland City j\t,.j^^ 



Total $18,480,991 

FINANCJ \h STANDINi 

According to the books of the county auditor for the years 1912-13, 
there was a balance on hand in the treasury on January 1, 1912, of 
$240,245.89. Total receipts for 1912, $569,136.75; total disbursements for 
1912. $641. 698.10; balance on hand January 1. 1913, $171,684.54. 



I II M'TFK VI. 
POI.I'l KM ll [STORY. 

From the county records it is learned thai tin- following have set 
Gibson county in official capacities since tin- organization t" the present time, 

1.114: 

PRESIDEN riA] 

Beginning with the election of 1848, tin- Following table exhibits the 
result of the different presidential elections it! ' ty, until the election 

of Woodrow Wils< 'ii in mi _• : 

In acharv Taylor, Native American, 860; Lev , Demo- 

crat, i 

In [85 j; : Winfield Scott, Whig, 942; 

John P. I [ale, I ■ 

In 1 s 5 ' James Buchanan, Democrat, t,286; Millard Fillmore, Whig, 
in ( '. Fremi »nt, Republican, 31 

In [860 — Abrahan n, Republican. 1,295; Stephen V D 

locrat, 1,565 ; John ( Breckinridge, ' fohn Bell, Constitu- 

tional I 'ni' 11 ntion, 1 

In Vbrahan B. McClellan, 

In iNoN, when ident, there were no perma- 

nent nty. 

In 18; rant, Republ 

Gn 

In 1876 Samuel J. Tilden, Dei 7; Rutherford B. Hum-. Re- 

publi 

In irfield. 1-' : Winfii I ino ck, 

In [88 . Republican, -'.774 : ' i 

Benjam ?l John, 

n.'il Prohibil 
In n Ilarr md, 

,7_'i : 1 lint'' 



88 GIBSON COUNTY. INDIANA. 

In 1892 — Benjamin Harrison, Republican, 2.738; Grover Cleveland, 
Democrat, 2,460; James B. Weaver, National People's Convention, 598; John 
Bidwell, Prohibition, 243. 

In 1896 — William J. Bryan, Democrat, 3,276: "William McKinley, Re- 
publican. 3,471 : William J. Bryan, People's, 346; John M. Palmer. National 
Democrat, 1 t. 

In 1900 — William J. Bryan, Democrat. 3.509; William McKinley, Re- 
publican, 3.648; John G. Woolley, Prohibition, 244: ISryan, People's, 17; 
Eugene V. Debs, Socialist Democrat, 4. 

In 1904 — Alton B. Parker, Democrat, 3,221; Silas C. Swallow, Prohibi- 
tion, 331 : Theodore Roosevelt, Republican, 3.871 : Eugene V. Debs, Socialist 
Democrat, 91 : Thomas E, Watson, People's, 29; Charles H. Corregan, Social- 
ist Labor, 7. 

In 190S — William Jennings Bryan, Democrat, 3,626; William H. Taft, 
Republican, 3.753: Silas C. Swallow, Prohibition. 241 ; E. W Debs. Socialist. 
5 : Independent ticket, 2. 

In 1912 — Woodrow Wilson, Democrat. 3.250: William H. Taft, Re- 
publican, 2.260; Eugene W. Chafin, Prohibition. 226; Theodore Roosevelt. 
Progressive, 1,270; E. A". Debs, Socialist, 295; Arthur Reiner, Socialist 
Labor, 7. 

STATE SENATORS REPRESENTING THE COUNTY. 

The first state senator from the district in which Gibson county formed 
a part was William Prince. The legislative session was held at the old state 
capital, Corydon, commencing November 4, 1816. The second session was 
held at the same place, commencing December 2, 181 8, when Isaac Mont- 
gomery represented this district. In 1821, the next session, also at Corydon, 
ibis county was represented by Senator Richard Daniel. The capital was 
then changed to Indianapolis, and the first Legislature convened in that city 
on December 5. 1825, and Mr. Montgomery was still representing this district, 
serving from 1825 to 1829. Then came the following state senator:-: David 
Robb, 1829-33; Elisha Embree, [833-35; Thomas E. Stewart, 1835-38; John 
Hargrove, 1838-41; Smith Miller, 1841-44: Benjamin R. Edmundson, 1844- 
47; Smith Miller, 1847-50; Benjamin T. Goodman, 1850-55; William Haw- 
thorne, iS^^-^j; John Hargrove, 1857-61; Thomas Shoulders, 1862-65; 
James Barker, 1865-67: Thomas C. Jaques, 1867-71; Magnes T. Cochrane, 
[871-75; Jasper Davidson. 1875-70; Gustavius V. Menzies, 1879-83; James 
E. McCullough, [883-87; V. P. Bozeman, 1887-01 ; Albert G. Holcomb, 1891- 



gibp' '\ coun iv. i\i)i w \. 8g 

95; V. !'. Bozeman, 1895; W. E. Stilwell, [899: V. P. Bozeman, [903; 
William Gonnerman, [907; < lei >rge W. Curtis, 191 1. 

Edward Hogan and [ohn Johnson, r8i6; Jarro iell and Richard 

Daniel, [817-18; Richard Daniel and John Johnson, t8i8; David Robb, [820- 
22 ; John Gibson, [823; David Robb and Robert M. Evans,, 1 Walter 

Wilson, 1827; David Robb, [828; Samuel Hall, [829-30; John Hargn 
[831-35; Smith Miller, [835-38; James Devin, [838: Smith Miller. [839; 

lc Montgomery, [840;Joseph Devin, 1N41 ; John Hargrove, 1842; William 
Montgomery, [£ Samuel Hall, [845; Samuel Miller, [i W. 

Thompson, [847; James W. Cockrum, [848; Silas M. Holcomb, (849;George 
$50; James W. Cockrum, (851 : Alexander 1 '.. Donald, [853; John 
Hargrove, [855; ' aleb Trippett, [857; [saac M. Woods, [858-61; Silas M. 
Holcomb, i- John Hargrove, [865; Jacob F. Bird, 1S117; \r 

Huston, [869; William J. McGowan, 1871 e \ Buskirk, [873-75; 

Jacob Montgomery, [875; Francis W. Hauss, [877; Jasper Davidson, (879; 
George C Mason, [881 ; William R. Genung, [883; V P. Twineham, [885; 
Jesse .V fomery, [887; M. W. Fields, [889; Preston V Bryant, [891- 

93; W, D Robinson, [895; D. D. Hart. [897; Hugh D. McGary, [898; W. 

Parrett, [900; W. F. Parrett, [902; H. I '904; Luther Benson, 

1906; Charles F S1 ens [908; Charles F. Stevens, [910; l"hn V Rheuff, 
1912. 

CO' [ONAL C0NV1 

In the constitutional convention of r8i6 Gibson county was represented 
by Alexander Devin, I th, Frederick Rapp and David Robb. In the 

constitutional convention of [852 the de from this county was Smith 

Miller. 

and 1841 then and the 

foil d in Gibson county: Charles Harrington, Robert Milburn, 

John R. Montgomery, James Devin, Nicholas II' 1 in, John 

Aye] elton. John Sullivan, Joseph J. Kirkman, Roland B. Richards, 

William Sharp. William Phillip Thomas I. Mont- 

gom< 



90 GIBSON COUNTY, INDIANA. 

- I XI V RECORDERS. 

Robert M. Evans, John I. Neely, John R. Montgomery, John Hargrove, 
John McCoy, T. B. Montgomery (died in office), J. L. Craig (appointed to 
fill vacancy), James H. Fentriss. Tin .mas J. Robb, James M. Keyes, Solomon 
Van Xada, W. R. Steele, T. A. Walters, W. D. Zimmerman. L. L. Bell, 
Michael M. Kennedy. 

COUNTY CLERKS. 

Robert M. Evans. John T. Neely, J. R. Montgomery, John Hargrove, 
Andrew Lewis, S. M. Barton (resigned), O. M. Welborn (appointed for 
vacancy), Richard M. J. Miller, Dr. W. P. Welborn, James S. Epperson. 
William H. Coleman, Samuel A. Stewart. T. J. Mason, Rollin Maxam. 

COUNTY TREASURERS. 

James W. Jones, William Prince, William Harrington, James W. Hogue, 
David T. King. Willis Howe, James Boswell, M. G. C. Hargro e, William 
Reavis, S. P. Welborn, Logan McCrary, Caleb Trippett, Charles C. Whiting, 
Emil Sasse. William Simpson, John Sipp, William X. Tichnor, George W. 
Shull, John A. West. R. F. McConnell, H. C. Redman; William S. Ennis, 
F. S. D. Knowles (died in office), Foreman Knowles, his son, appointed to fill 
vacancv and afterward elected; Edgar Matick, Milton Cushman. 

COUNTY AUDITORS. 

This county office was not created until [841. John Ames, the first to 
hold such office, resigned September 2, 1843, and Alfred Poland was ap- 
pointed to serve out the unexpired term. Then followed William Kurtz. 
John E. Phillips, AYillis S. Hargrove, John C. Holcomb, William J. Casey 
(died in office). Alexander J. Montgomery (appointed to vacancy), John W. 
Johnson, L. W. McDonald. Samuel R. Adams. H. R. Embree, William T. 
Roberts. 

SHERIFFS. 

James Crow, Henry Hopkins, Thomas Stone, James Devin, James Stone, 
Joseph Neeley, X. J. Hargrove, J. J. Kirkman, Joseph E. Woods, J. J. Kirk- 
man, Samuel II. Shannon. J. J. Kirkman, Augusl I Boswell, Henry Ayers, 
T. G. Vail. James Ragsdale, J. G. Vail, John Lockhart, Francis W. Hauss, J. 



GIBSON COUNTY, INDIANA. 91 

Vail, W. L. Hargrove, II. !'. Chambers, Hugh D. McGary, Monroe Key, 
Wyatl Gentry, John M. rrible, G. \\ . Murphy, Thomas Beloat, Frank 
Whiting, G& rge Skelton, Joseph VV. Barton. 

SURVEYORS. 

David Robb, Roberl M. Evans, Purnel Fisher, fames Smith, Alexander 
Polk, W. T. Stillwell, Alfred Poland, Alexander II Polk, * harles A. Slay- 
back, D. S. W. Miller, Alexander II. Polk, G. M. Emmerson, E E. Watts, 
G. M. Emmerson, II. II. Neikamp, John L. Morris, II. C. Morrison. 

IRS \M> APPRAIS1 

This combined office was in existence until after the Civil war and was 
held by the following persons: James Russell, by appointment in i S 1 3 . fol- 
lowed by Henry Hopkins, lame- Ramsey, Charles Harrington, James Evans, 
Walter Wilson, Thomas B. Embree, Walter Wilson, William Jerauld. V 
and. r I. Evans, William De Priest, John Hai ph Neely, Alexander 

L. i [bhn Ayers, James F. Wasson, Jonathan Latham, I). Jerauld. 

athan Latham. Hugh Parkinson, James Boswell, William Jerauld, William 
De Priest, Jesse Weatherby, Silas M. Holcomb, Bluford H. Crisvvell, ' 

it and 'I 

The board of count) commissioners have had in charge the affair- relat- 
eneral and specifw the county. As a rule they have 

i the affair- have usually 
1 conducted in a businesslike manner. I the nai the 

men whi d on these board Prior to that the 

m and John Simpson, 1845 : Jai 
Hudleson, John n and. M 1 - \- ; John Simpson, M. 

ind John Em |.8;John Simpson, John Ennes vid 

Barl >hn Simpson, David Barker and Stewart 

ningham and \ . I > un- 

ningham, \. I >. V 

I ). Foster, I >avid R I ' Fo 

and W. M. Land, 185 ind Joseph 



92 GIBSON COUNTY, INDIANA. 

James Hudleson, Henry Gambrel and Joseph Devin, 1 86 1 ; Henry Gambrel, 
James Hndleson and G. Yicker^. 1862; < '•. Vickers, Henry Gambrel and 
Stewart Cunningham. 1864; G. Vickers, Stewart Cunningham and H. G. 
Mauck, 1865; Stewart Cunningham, William McReynolds and W. K. Mc- 
Clary. 1866; A. J. Cunningham. William R. McClary and Logan McClary. 
1867: W. I\. McClary, A. J. Cunningham and John X. Mangrum, 1871 ; A. 
J. Cunningham. John N. Mangrum and George \Y. Finch. 1872: John X. 
Mangrum, George W. Finch and Moses K. Robb, 1873; John X. Mangrum, 
VEoses K. Robb and Calvin Drysdale, 1874: Moses K. Robb, Calvin Drysdale 
and Sylvester Benson, 1876; Moses K. Robb, Sylvester Benson and William 
Cooper, 1877; Sylvester Benson, William Cooper and A. J. Shoultz, 1871;: 
Sylvester Benson, A. J. Shoultz and John S. Mead, 1881 : Sylvester Benson, 
John S. Mead and Josiah Kightly, 1882; Josiah Kightly, S. Benson, 1884: 
Z. M. Weed, John Mangrum, 1886: AYilliam McRoberts. John Mangrum, 
[888; W. L. McRoberts, Z. 3d. Weed. [890; Z. M. Weed. T. H. Emmerson, 
1892; J. W. Phillips. T. H. Emmerson, 1804: Joseph Moore, S. R. Davis. 
1896; E. C. Farmer, Philip Martin, 1898; J. W. Phillips, P. Martin. 1900; 
J. W. Phillips, George W. Newman, 1902; G. W. Newman, John P. Moore, 
1904: J. P. Youcham, John P. Moore, [906; Joseph Yochum, G. Frohbiter, 
1908; G. C. Frohbiter, George A. Knowles, 19 jo; R. D. Thompson, G. A. 
Knowles, 1912. 

i OUNTY SUPERINTENDENT OF SCHOOLS. 

The office of county superintendent of schools was created by the Legis- 
lature in 1872, and the holder of this position takes the places formerly held 
by the school examiners. He is elected every four years by the various town- 
ship trustees. The following have served in Gibson county in such capacity : 
William T. Stilwell, Henry A. Yeager. W. I). Robinson, T. W. Cullen, Henry 
Xeikamp, John T. Ballard. John F. Fulling, and the present superintendent, 
Wilbur Fisher. 



CH VPTER V 



k All kn M>- \\l> TR \NSPOH r.XTION. 



\ \BASH VND \N \l.. 



w M 



The people ol our state, learning that the states of New Vork, Pennsyl- 
vania and Ohio were prosecuting internal improvements successfully, de- 
termined to try their hands at improving their own state, and in the early 
thirties wont wild in trying to see how many expensive canal-, railroads and 
plank roads they coidd locate and put under way of construction. Mad the 
managers of our state done as did N'ew York, Pennsylvania and Ohio, that 
to push one or two of these projects along and complete it before starting 
others, they would also have i d. This was too slow for our Hoosiers, 

however, so they must have ten or a dozen costly imp nts going at the 

same time. Many of these projected improverhents wen- needed, and if they 
had been finished, would have been ■ >! great service to our people. 

The Wabash and Erie canal was much the all of these in- 

ternal improvements. 

The act of Congress making the first land grants for the construction of 
the canal was passed in [827. The act ■■(' our state Legislature authoriz 
the commencement of the work was passed at the session of ^30-31. \ 

■\)'\ grant of lands for the continuation of the canal from the moutl 
the inoe river to Terre Haute was passed l>\ Congress in 1831. \ 

third grant "t' half of the unsold lands in the Vincennes land district for the 
continuation "t" the canal from Terre Haute t.> the < >lii- < rivi ansville 

was made bj Congress in [845. The work "it the canal was begun at i 
Wayne in 1832, and finished from Toledo, Ohio, to Lafayette in [841. and 
! erre I 'ante in 1849, and nsville it 

iring the several years that so much work was in progress in Indiana, 
wages were high, and all kind- of pn : and provisions were br 

and the vast amount of mone) that was paid out for l.il >• >r 
and produce apparently mai all parts of the country wl 



94 GIBSON COUNTY, INDIANA. 

this work was being done. But this was a fictitious appearance, for the 
people had run into extravagance, and engaged in too much speculation, for 
which promissory notes were given. The retail merchants contracted debts 
with the wholesale merchants, and had sold quantities of goods to their 
customers, who were wholly dependent on these works for money with which 
to pay for their purchases. The crash came in the year 1837, and there was 
a general suspension of every sort of business. The state financial ruin was 
very great, and thousands of men who were on the road to fortune could do 
nothing but stand idly by and see their fond hopes disappear. So wide was 
this disaster in the country bordering the undertakings of the state, that it 
was very distressing. 

In 1838 there were so many more individuals invoked in the ruin that 
it was very embarrassing to all of the people. At the meeting of the Legis- 
lature in 1838, Governor Wallace in his message said: "Xever before — I 
speak advisedly — never before have you witnessed a period in our local his- 
tory which more urgently calk fur the exercising of all the soundest and 
best attributes of grave and patriotic legislation than the present." 

In 1839 work was suspended on most of the state improvements and the 
contracts surrendered. 

It became evident that the state could not finish all of these works. The 
Legislature of 1841 passed adaw authorizing any private company to take 
charge of and complete any of the works except die Wabash and Erie canal. 
It was thought that by the aid of the government the state could finish the 
canal in the next few years. The state made several attempts in this direc- 
tion without success. Everything lay quiet until 1846, when Charles Butler, 
who represented the bondholders, offered to take the state's interest in the 
canal for one half of the debt and for the lands granted for its construction, 
and finish it, if the state would issue new certificates for the other half and 
pay interest at four per cent, per annum, the state reserving the right of 
redemption. The canal under this management was finished to Evansville in 
1852. The length of the canal in Indiana was three hundred and ninety-five 
miles, and in Ohio eighty-four miles, making its entire length four hundred 
and fifty-nine miles. This enormous work, which cost so many millions of 
dollars, only lasted a few years, owing to the fact that it was paralleled the 
entire length by railroads. However, the canal caused a large emigration to 
the section of country through which it passed. 

Idle canal crossed the Patoka river into Gibson county on an aqueduct 
at the old town of Dengola, and followed the lowlands of the Patoka river 



GIBSON COUNTY, I \M VNA. Ms 

to Francisco, thence southwest through the highlands of the Pigeon Summit 
that divides the watershed between the Patoka river and the Pigeon creek 
c< luntry. 

\t Port (iili-"ii. a town located on tin- canal in Gibson county, a 
reservoir was located, which flooded as much as two thousand acres from 
five to twent] I ["his was the greatest fishing resort that was i 

in Gibson county, as it was well stocked with fine lake fish. \itcr the canal 
\\a-~ abandoned the water was let out of the resi r, and today some of the 
best farms in Gibson county are situated on these famous fishing grounds. 
The canal followed the lowlands ol Pigeon creek until ii passed into Warrick 
county, and thence to Evansville. 

l-'r tial followed the water levels of the Wabash 

and tributaries. The fall was so great in mam places that locks had to be 
put in, so that a new water level could be secured. The locks were made of 
a length suffii nl for the largesl boats and about eighteen feet wide, made of 
heavy hewn timber. Very h made on each level 

Shippers along the canal had the lowest shipping rates that have ever 
been in this section. In the late fifties my br< ames M. Cockrum, and I 

were in the pork packing and tobacco business and had our packing and ship- 
ping house at Dongola on the canal. Looking over one "I our old shipping 
ks, I find that we shipped from Dongola t<> Evansville tierces of lard, 
two hundred and fift\ pounds, for ten cents each, barrel rk for eight 

and a third cents each, and hogsheads of tob; een hundred 

pounds, for fifty cents each. 

The canal boats were nearh all heav\ freighters, but there were two 
fine passeng - which ran between Evansville and Terre Haute, named 

the "Prairie Queen" and the "I 'ride of the Wabash." These boats were 
finely finished and would carry about thirtj ers in tl, ping 

apartments, and that many more who furnished their own sleeping outfit. 
Tin r boats aimed to make one hundred miles each twenty-four 

hours, with fi iur shin*, of hor 

The same condi up- 

plying the i n her mam improvemenl mild 

the canal from Terre I lam h bond- 

holders. The works supplii nt for thou* I men and many 

hum nis, and gi k "1 \ int i pt' help 

ma at demand for i ill in all 

the arms that were paid 

for with funds obtained for labor mil supplies on these worl 



96 GIBSON COUNTY, INDIANA. 

Tn connection with the history of the Wabash and Erie canal, I here give 
several incidents that happened during its construction through Gibson 
ci lunty. 

The contractors for the canal, as a class, were honorable men. In most 
cases they had one section of the work, and these sections, as a rule, were 
a mile long. Where the work was very heavy the sections were much 
shorter, in order that the work might be completed about the same time. The 
embankments were made by hauling the dirt in one-horse carts. The usual 
outfit for a crew of men. when the haul was not over two hundred yards, 
was four carts and four men to shovel the dirt into them. The work was 
so timed that the loaded cart was ready to pull out as soon as an empty one 
was read}- to go to be loaded. Over forty men and carts there was a boss 
The shovelers were nearly all Irishmen; there were very few Americans. 
Of the latter, most of them got out timbers for the culverts and bridges. 

About a half gill of raw whiskey was given the men four times a day. 
Whiskey at that time was as free from law restrictions as water and every- 
one that wanted a "doggery," as they were called, could have it by building 
a little log shanty and purchasing a barrel of whiskey at twenty-five cents 
a gallon. These lax laws resulted in many little drinking dens along the 
canal. 

Stewart and Rockefellow had the section at Dongola and on both side^ 
of the Patoka river, also the building of the aqueduct across the river. The 
William II. Stewart of the firm mentioned was the father of Dr. William H. 
Stewart, of Oakland City, Indiana. The above mentioned works were very 
busy 1 utis, and many men were engaged on them. As soon as they gut 
well under way, a man named Bev Willie built a small ten-by-fifteen shanty 
boat on the Patoka river. It was situated near where the present iron bridge 
spans the river at Dongola. Willis was from a good family, but was a wild 
fellow and in a short time had a den full of drunken sots. There was little 
attention paid to him until some of Stewart's best men begun to neglect their 
work. Then Stewart went to see him, and gave him one week to get away 
with his boat and whiskey. Bev sold his whiskey to another doggery man 
some miles farther west on the works, tore his boat to pieces and went to 
California. 

Soon after this a man named Spradley, from Warrick county, came to 
Dongola, hunting a place where he could build a whiskey shanty. He boast- 
ingly said that he would teach the canalers that the}' would have to get busy 
before they drove him away. He had two barrels of whiskey hauled to 
this place where he built his doggery, and for a couple "t* davs dispensed 



GIBSON C01 N TV, INDIAN \ 

liquor without interruption. Then Stewart took two or three oi his bosses, 
with picks, and went to sex- the brave Warrick county man. When the latter 
saw them coming he made it convenient to gel away. Stewart and his men 
broke open the barrels and poured the whiskey on the ground. This ended 
the lii|ii"r traffic at 1 Jongola. 

THE KNOW -NO! KINGS. 

This was about the time that th< if the ECnow-Nothings was heard 

i in tl on. Consequently there was not the best of feeling existing 

between the Iri-h and the native Americans. Many combats resulted. I 
Iri-h would get on a drinking spree and raise a fuss with the first American 
they could find, calling him a "know-nothing," ami if he resented the insult, 
ten or fifteen of the drunken brutes would attack him. 

In 1852 Columbia township was much larger than new. The west line 
was .>ne mile west of Fi There was but one precinct for the w! 

township, and that was located on the farm owned by the ' G 

Barrett, now owned by the late lame- \! Steel's he >ut noon on the 

lion da) in [852 a man was seen running along the 1 m the w 

and following him wen I men. When the lone man had come 

within a hundred yards of the crowd that was at the pi 

faced hi- pursuers. Two who were in the lend reached him. when he laid 
them both in the road with a club which he carried. Id Mosley was at the 

tion. lie -aw there was a host against one and. juni] 
wagon, pulling off h e ran. he joined the man 

himself ntly. He went into the Irish and knocked them right and 

left, soon putting the whole gang to flight. The lone mat 
Swallow, the father oi' Willis Swal ty. The Iri-h hail 

io hint near he was on and began to 

abuse him, calling him a Know-Nothing He did 1 much of their 

abuse until i 

n him and lie had to run for h l as 

the his pursuers won p and km 

or two of them down. Tn this way he had more than half of them with 
sore heads and bl 

and 
included tl ■• « hieh cr 

of the 1 the line. The ne hun- 

(7) 



98 GIBSON" COUNTY. INDIANA. 

dred teet wide and was from fifteen to eighteen feet to the bottom of the 

canal. Ten on one side the berm bank and on the other the towpath were 
made; these banks were six feet higher than the bottom of the canal. On 
these heavy works there was a large number of men, carts, and teams at 
work for nearly three years. At that time there were many ox teams used. 
They had a very large plow on these works which the writer has seen drawn 
by eight yoke of heavy oxen. Shanties for the people and rough stables for 
the horses and oxen were scattered so thickly that it looked like a string town 
for many miles along the canal. One living today cannot realize the im- 
mense amount of work required to build the canal. It required the removal 
of more dirt than it would to build a dozen railroads. There were a hun- 
dred boarding shanties, large and small, from what was known as the Patoka 
Summit, a mile or two above Hosmer, Pike county, to the Pigeon Summit, 
about two miles below Francisco. Gibson county. Some of these shanties 
were eighty feet long and would have bunks for as many as fifty boarders. 
Smaller houses were constructed to accommodate four' and six boarders. 
Nearly all of these people who lived near the works were Irish. They had 
no trouble getting all the whiskey they required, and such carrying on as they 
had has never been seen before or since in this part of Indiana. 

There was a large blacksmith shop near the site of the present residence 
of Samuel Aydelott. A. J. Malone, the father, of Rice Malone, lived some 
miles southwest of that shop, but had come in to have a single-tree mended. 
He was starting home when he was attacked by a band of drunken Irish- 
men. Malone used his single-tree for a club and knocked seventeen of them 
down with it. Finally one fellow slipped up behind and knocked Malone 
down with a pick handle. The drunken brutes then beat him until they 
thought he was dead. Some of his friends found him and took him to his 
home, where he lay for man}- weeks. When he came to his right mind, his 
friends obtained a description of the men who had attacked him, several of 
whom Malone knew by name. A posse of twenty men went with their guns 
to the boarding shanties and compelled the men to pass out of the door be- 
tween double lines of men who were trying to find the guilty ones. How- 
ever, some one had given a tip and. with the exception of three, all who hail 
been in the cowardly scrap had fled. These three were hurt so badly that 
they could not get away. One of them was killed afterwards by John Lovd 
for bragging of how he beat the American. The other two disappeared 
mysteriously afterward, and it is believed they were captured and disposed 
of bv Americans. 



ISON COUNTY, INDIANA. ' )• i 

The people living along and working "ii the canal had ver\ little regard 
for sanitary rules and in most cases lived as filthy lives as animals. This 
subjected them to man) diseases I In cholera raged up and down the line 
one whole summer and until late in the fall, and I doubt if less than one thou- 
sand people died on the works between Patoka and Pigeon Summits. The 
stricken would die within three or four hours. ( >n the old Potter farm now 
owned by Sylvester Cantrell, three miles northwesl of Oakland City, so 
man) people were sick and dead that the canal people hired a cooper named 
VVhitelock from Francisco to make boxes for coffins. \ttcr he had nailed 
up his sixtieth box, he said. "I have nailed the cholera up, and no more will 
die." lie was dead himself within two hours afterward, and nailed up in 
one of his own boxes. There was a general stampede from the works. 
Cold weather came, and work was resumed. There were three dead Irish- 
men found in a blacksmith shop which stood on the ground occupied by the 
residence of V I. Upton, two miles north of Oakland City. 

Patrick Manning had the heavj works jusl west of - where 

the canal crosses the Hurricane creek. Mr. Manning was a just man. and 
had a famil) of grown-up boys and girls. Young Pal Manning was a strong, 
re-., hue fellow of twenty years ol age On ' hristmas morning in [852 he 
came t<> "iir house for a load "i hay, and prevailed upon my lather to let 
me go home with him, as they were n> have a Christmas dinner that day. 
\tter we reached his home I assisted him in unloading the hay. We \ 
near a small shantj occupied by an Irishman and hi- wife. These two were 
drinking stews, and soon began t<> quarrel. In a tew moments the door 
flew "pen and the woman came out of the shanty and fell <>n the frozen 
>und as if shot from a catapult. Young Manning jumped from the 
wagon and ran up t" where the man was standing, and knocked him down. 
Whereupon the woman puked up a shovel and struck Manning on the side 
of the head, with the warning, " \gain. Mr. Manning, you will learn !•• k< 
out "t' >>nr little pleasantries." Pat rubbed hi- head and -aid he would not 
aid her again it' the husband killed her. 

iin Manning's works, hi- trusted man and 1 kkeeper went tinder the 

name of I 'at McTurbon. Tin- man had been with Manning i"r two years 
on works farther north before coming clown t" Gibson county. McTurbon 
wa- a civil engineer and could take an estimate "t" the wrk done anil to bf 
done. Mr. Ball, the chief engineer of the canal, -aid that McTurbon wa- so 
much nil ire competent than any other man on the works that he offered him 
a new position under himself, with a g I salan McTurbon refused, how- 



IOO GIBSON COUNTY, INDIANA. 

ever, saying that Air. Manning was a. good man and that he was content to 
remain with him until the works were completed. 

A small, spare man came to the works and applied for a job, saying 
that he was not very strong, but could do light work as well as anyone. 
There was a large number of men on the works. The jigger boss had be- 
come such a drunkard that Air. Manning proposed to the new man that he 
might have the place, which was accepted, and he went to work very indus- 
triously. Soon another man applied for work, and who claimed to be from 
Canada. He went to work as a shoveler. These men had been there several 
weeks, when one morning neither of them appeared, and AIcTurbon was also 
missing. His shanty was locked on the outside with a padlock, just as he 
always left it when he went to work or to his meals. There was a peculiar 
noise in the shanty, as if someone were breathing very hard. Manning had 
the staple drawn and on the floor lay the jigger boss and the Canadian, with 
a straight-jacket securely laced around each of them, and their legs tied to a 
heavy stake which was driven into the ground to make a water shelf on. In 
each of their mouths was a regular burglar's gag. McTurbon was gone, 
with his tine set of instruments and his best clothing. He left a note on top 
of his time hook, addressed to Manning, and read as follows: 

"My dear Air. Manning: 

"Under circumstances over which I have no control, I am compelled to 
leave your service, which I sincerely regret. Your accounts and time are 
correct up to yesterday evening. You will, on the floor of my domicile, find 
two guests of mine that I part from with satisfaction. 

"Yours sincerely, 

"Pat McTurbon." 

After the two imprisoned men had regained, consciousness, which they 
did not do for several hours, they related their story. They were detectives 
from the Scotland Yards, London, and had been hunting all over the country 
for the last six years to find AIcTurbon, whose right name was John Cecil. 
He had robbed a wealthy English nobleman of more than live hundred thou- 
sand dollars worth of jewelry, nearly all in diamonds. These detectives had 
followed the line of public works all over England and America, fur they 
knew that he was a finished engineer and thought that he would go to work 
at his profession. The two detectives were not certain that McTurbon wa- 
the man, as he had so changed himself, hut the} - believed that he was, and 
the\ - determined to try to get him into his room when he was asleep, as he 



GIBSON COUNTY, [NDIANA. IOI 

never left it only when he went to his meals or made estimates for Manning, 
and then the door was always locked. The shanty which McTurbon occup 
was built "ii the slope of a hill a shorl distance west of Hurricane creek, on 
land now owned by ( harles Shurig, of Oakland City. Under the north side 
of the shanty was a large log, so as to make the floor level. This made quite 
an opening under the floor near die log. The detective discovered that wide 
planks had been used for flooring, and that by loosening one of them they 
could easily i, r et inside. This they succeeded in doing while McTurbon was at 
supper. The night they attempted to make a search for the diamonds was a 
very dark one. McTurbon had found that plank was loosened. He accord- 
ingly prepared himself and was on watch for them \.bout midnight one of 
the detectives slipped under the floor cautiously and pushed the loosei 
plank to his partner. They soon had a hole large enough for a man to pass 
through. The jigger boss went first, and upon stepping into the room was 
knocked senseless with a blow from a sandbag. McTurbon lowered Ins 
victim to the floor, and put Ins head down to the hole and whispered to the 
other man t" come on, which he did. and was treated with the same sandbag 
blow.. These men were seriously hurt and it was ten days before they were 
able to leave. 

Till. S( H 1 HERN RAI1 RO \D. 

Under the internal improvement craze of the early thirties a project 
put on fool t" build a railroad from Mew Albany, Indiana. to Mi. Car- 
mel. Illinois, t" connect with the Illinois & St Louis railroad, then being 
surveyed. Surveyors were pul to work on the Xew Albam road and the 
location t- .r the line was made. There was but little work done on this survey 
in Indiana. On the Illinois division work was begun in 1837, and about 
twenty miks was graded east and west of Albion, Illinois. The general hard 
times all over the country caused a suspension of the work leaving a 1. 1 
amount of debts against the company. Later on, by an the Mini 

Legislature, the road was — « .1.1 to the highest 1 >i< 1< U-r and was bought in by 
1 iciieral Pickering tor a nominal sum. There was nothing done with the road 
until 187 1. when that route was adopted and the graded roadbed was bought 
hack from Pickering. Under tin- general laws of our state, the New Albany 
.V St Louis Air Line was organized Februan 24, t86q On the ist of July, 
•. the name was changed to Louisville, Xew \lh. sir Line 

Railway Company. The surve\ which was adopted and on which the roadbed 
- built was near the "Id survej made in [S37. In a clump of p. 



102 GIBSON COUNTY, INDIANA. 

standing in Oakland City, when the new survey was made, the engineers 
found the bench mark of the old survey not more than fifty feet from where 
the road now runs. The Illinois division was organized April 14. 1869, by a 
special act of the Illinois Legislature, under the name of the St. Louis. Alt. 
Carmel & New Albany Railroad Company. The Indiana and Illinois divis- 
ions were consolidated lulv 24, 1872, under the name of the Louisville, Xew 
Albany & St. Louis Railroad Company. Both divisions were subsequently 
sold under foreclosure proceedings. The Indiana division was reorganized 
in February, 1877. under the name of the Louisville, Xew Albany & St. 
Louis Ail Line Railroad Company, and the Illinois division was reorganized 
m January, [878, under the name of the St. Louis & Mt. Carmel Railroad 
Company In August, 1878. these two companies were again consolidated 
under the name of the Louisville, Xew Albany & St. Louis Railroad Com- 
pany. The road later on consolidated with the Evansville, Rockport & East- 
ern Railwa) Company, and changed its name to the Louisville, Evansville & 
St. Low's Railroad Company. This change of name came about because the 
railroad company had purchased a line of railroad from Htintingburg, Can- 
nelton, Rockport and Evansville. The consolidated railroad company earned 
a large bonded debt of more than twenty million dollars, and had defaulted in 
paying the interest. This resulted in the road being placed in the hands of a 
receiver, who managed the business for several years. The bondholders of 
the first mortgage bonds became weary doing without interest or dividend, 
and brought foreclosure proceedings. The court ordered that the road be 
sold to the best advantage for the creditors. The property was purchased 
liv a committee of bondholders of the Louisville, Evansville & St. Louis 
Railway Company. The company was reorganized under the latter name. 

About this time a road was built from Lincoln City to Cannelton by a 
company called the Huntingburg, Tell City & Cannelton Railroad Company. 
In 1889 new interests acquired both these companies and they were then con- 
solidated with the Illinois & St. Louis Railroad and Coal Company, the 
Venice iV i 'arondelet Railway Company and the Belleville, Centralia & East- 
ern Railroad Company, under the name of the Louisville, Evansville & St. 
Louis Consolidated Railroad Company. In 181)4 this road went into the 
hands of a receiver. In November, 1900, it was sold to the Southern Rail- 
way C< impany. 

The Southern Railroad crosses Gibson county from cast to west, near the 

center of the county. There are twenty-five miles of track in the county. 

The road is in first-class condition, being thoroughly ballasted and laid with 



\ I V. I \I>I VNA. [O3 

the heaviest steel rail-. Si> through passenger trains, three eacli way, pass 
over the road every da) . 

- \-\ III 11 RO VD, 

Tin. original charter for il isville & Terre Haute Railroad was 

inted in (849 to the F.vansville & Illinois Railroad Company, aiming 

run from Evansville to Olney, Illinois, via Princeton and Mi. Carmel, there 

t" connect with the < >lh" \- Mississippi railroad. In ai ce with the 

notices published in the Princeton and Evansville papers, the company was 

janized in the city of Evansville on August r6, [849. Samuel Hall. 
Princeton, was the president. I', was through In- able management, assisted 
by other competent men, that the w>r!< was pushed forward. Money was 
plentiful and was hard to get, but the subscription "i Evansville for one 
hundred thousand dollars ami of Vanderburg count) for a lik • amount, with 
the subscriptions •>! a number of capitalists, pul the company in shape !■- 
forward with the construction work. Many times the company was hard up 
for bonds t" pa) the contractors, ami tin. officers and directors would pie 
their own private fortunes and raise tin- mone_\ t" u" on with the 

The road was completed t" Princeton in 1852. ! well remember the 
of people assembled "ti the ground where James \V. I ewis's 
resideno stands, watching i"t" the train which was i" come at eleven 

o'clock I yet remember that the little engine, when it did come, was covered 
with flags. Mr. Hall, the president of the road, stood on the tender and 
made a speech. \"t "lie in a hundred of these people had 'i a railroad 

engine and I was one "i that numb 

There were many amusing incidents which happened while the tir-t 
tram- were running "ii the new line. From Port Branch comes one of the 
best. An "Id lady named Sullivan lived near the railroad track just a little 
waj from Fort Branch. She had quite 1 her voice. The train- went 

by her < 1< ■■ >r every day. She was of inquisitive disposition, and she deter- 
mined thai she would make the tram - that she could look it o 
Preparing herself with a large sheet, she went on u> the track and as the 
train came within sight she v te to stop. The 
ineer ran forward to learn the cause of the trouble, and asked Mrs. 
Sullivan the reason for stopping them She said. "Oh, nothing, I jutli 
wanted to thee what the entiled thing looki 

In 1852 it was decided t<> build the read i" Vincennes, Terre Haute and 
Crawfordsville. The name of the road wa- changed to the Fvansville ,\ 



104 GIBSON COUNTY, INDIANA. 

Crawfordsville Railroad Company. A survey was made to Crawfordsville 
via Vincennes and Terre Haute, and the road was completed to Rockville, 
sixteen miles north of Terre Haute. In March, 1877, the name of the road 
was changed to the Evansville & Terre Haute Railroad. The construction 
of the Mt. Vernon division from Fort Branch, thirty-seven miles in length, 
was completed in 1882. Montgomery township gave twenty-five thousand 
dollars to aid the extension. The Evansville & Terre Haute road, or Chicago 
& Eastern Illinois, as it has recently become through absorption, runs through 
a fine farming country. The Mt. Vernon branch runs through territory 
which cannot be excelled for agricultural purposes : the land along the branch 
and much of the main line is worth from one hundred to one hundred and 
fifty dollars per acre. The road has always been a conservative one and well 
patronized. The Frisco system now owns this valuable property and run 
their "cannon-ball" trains over it to all parts of the South. The principal 
stations in Gibson county are Princeton. Owensville, Fort Branch, Hazelton, 
Patoka and Haubstadt. 

INDIANAPOLIS & EVANSVIU E RAILROAD. 

The Indianapolis & Evansville Railroad was brought into existence in 
1854. It was then known as the Evansville, Indianapolis & Cleveland 
Straight Fine Railroad. At the organization of the company in 1854 Hon. 
Oliver H. Smith, of Indianapolis, was chosen president, and Willard Car- 
penter, of Evansville, was chosen vice-president and general manager. Dur- 
ing the year of 1855-6 nearly all of the grading was done from Evansville 
to Washington. Indiana, and the roadbed would have been ready for the iron 
a- soon as it could have been gotten. There were no iron or steel rails made 
in this country at that time, and our people had to depend upon England for 
the rails. Air. Carpenter went to England with his pockets full of bonds, ex- 
pecting no trouble in securing the rails. Being worth more than a half 
million dollars himself, he could supply any shortage in the bonds. 

At that time John Ingle was president of the Evansville & Terre Haute 
road. Booking on the Straight Fine road as a rival, he flooded the iron 
markets of England with damaging statements of Mr. Carpenter and his 
road. When the latter arrived in England he found that he could not turn a 
wheel and he returned home a defeated and disappointed man. Fhe work 
was all stopped and the roadbed was abandoned for more than twenty-five 
years There was a large amount of land subscribed and deeded to the com- 
pany to help build the road. Manx people had done much more than they 



GIBSON COUNTY, [NDIANA. his 

should have done; some of them even lost their own farms. There was no 
attempt to revive the work until 1882, when an adventurer by the name of 
1 [ervey, \\ ith n< ithing bul a silk hat aixl a box of cigars, came all >ng and fi iund 
the old roadbed, lie hunted up some of the bondholders, ami. with fair 
promise-, got control of the property, lie put a mortgage on it. bought the 
iron, finished the grading and bridging, and completed the road from Evans- 
ville to Wbrthington, Indiana. Sine'.- thai time a branch from Worthington 
to Terre Haute lias been built. The road now has running schedule from 
Worthington t" [ndianapolis over the Indianapolis & Vincennes railroad. The 
principal stations in Gibson county are Oakland City and Sommerville. This 
railroad now belongs t" the Frisco system. 

R RA1LB0 

Within the last three years there has been a branch line built from the 
Vincennes & Cairo Big Four railroad thai crosses the Wabash river about 
ten miles south of Mt. Carmel, thence through Wabash and Montgomery 
township, (.iihsoii county, and on to Evansville. The road has about eight 

miles Mt" track in this county. There is a new town located on the line, near 
what is known as Skeleton Bluff, four miles ■ med John- 

son. 

EVANS\ till & PR] M [OX. 

The Evansville & Princeton Traction Line is the firsl of the kind 
tween the two cities. It was finished January 1. 1903. Ed. I. Baldwin, of 
Princeton, was the prime mover in the promotion and the late Joseph Heston 
was president at tin- time of it- completion. The r< ia< 1 has since been ex- 
tended north t" Patoka. \t'ter running a time, the line was bought by the 
Murdock-Marshall-Durbin company or syndicate It is now owned by the 
Evansville Public Utilitie my. 

THf. snr [ 11 1 RN RAIl R0A1 

The Southern railroad shops now 1 t) of Princeton 

tin- ibly the greatesl factor in th< commercial d( nl and ci 

growth city. After the fire of t893 there was q wn 

ever building up. hut tl ed the day. and Princeti ed upon 

the upward path. 

In the early months of the vear r8oo talk was tirsi heard in regard to 



Io6 GIBSON COUNTY, INDIANA. 

the shops. The plan was first made public in the Clarion of November 13, 
1890, when it was announced that the Louisville, Evansville & St. Louis Con- 
solidated Railroad Company, having then a mileage of over three hundred 
miles, intended to begin somewhere the building of general main machine 
ami repair shops >>n a large scale, the building to take place in [891. Several 
town- ami cities became active bidders for these shops, ami for some lime the 
question of location was in doubt. There is no doubt that in the eyes oi the 
railroad officials, including D. J. Mackey, the president and manager of what 
later became the Chicago & Eastern Illinois and the Southern. Princeton was 
the favored city. The shops then existed at Huntingburg. 

President Mackey forwarded a letter to Harry Kurtz, a citizen of Prince- 
ton and railroad promoter, stating that the shops would be built in Princeton 
for a donation of forty acres of land and right of way for the extension, and 
two per cent, of aid. which would produce sixty-six thousand dollars. 

The proposition submitted by Air. Mackey to Mr. Kurtz reads as follows: 

"Upon condition that the Louisville, Evansville & St. Louis Consolidated 
Railroad Company -hall construct, equip, maintain, occupy and use to the full 
capacity of its road as its general main machine and repair shops, round 
house, car shops, paint shops, blacksmith shop and office of and general divi- 
sion point at or within three thousand yards of the court house in the city of 
Princeton, in the county of Gibson, in the state of Indiana: 

"First. The round house shall he constructed with thirty stalls, a capac- 
ity to accommodate at least thirty engines at a time. 

"Second. The machine ami boiler shops shall U at leasl two hundred 
and lift\' in length and seventy-five feet in width. 

"Third. The car shops shall he at least eighty feet by one hundred and 
sixty feet. 

"Fourth. The paint shops shall he at least one hundred and eighty feet 
by forty feet. 

"Fifth. The blacksmith shop shall he seventy-five feet by one hundred 
feet. 

"Sixth. The office building shall be at least eighty feet by thirty-five 
feet, or if buildings are shaped different from the above described they must 
be built and occupied as great in extent in aggregate in area and number as 
these descrihed aforesaid. Each and all of said shops shall he constructed 
of brick or brick and stone; the construction of said shojis shall be begun on 
or before the first day of June, 1891, and completed and equipped and occu- 
pied ami he used to the full capacity of the road on or before Decembei 



GIB MAN \. I07 

1894, and for ninety-nine years and perpetually thereafter. Should the said 
railroad conipan) or their successors and assigns fail at any time after 
January, [894, to use said shops to the full capacity of then road for any 
consecutive period "i "in- year, then in that event the aniounl so voted and 
donated by said township (Patoka) shall n the tax payers of -aid 

township and be paid over by said railroad company, their successors or 
signs, t" the treasurer of Gibson county, Indiana, for the benefit or use "i the 
tax payers of -aid Patoka township, and the buildii ill revert to the 

iny who donated the ground upon which they arc erected. 

"Should the aforesaid buildings he destroyed by lire, lightning or any 
oilier cause, they shall be rebuilt immediately sible b_\ -aid 

railroad company, and when rebuilt -hall be equipped, used and i to 

the full capacity of. and 1>\ -aid railroad company, a- before provided. 

"It i- further agreed while this donation shall be collected accordii 
law. that ii: 1 part of the same -hall be paid 1 nipany until 

all of the aforesaid shops are 'milt, equipped, occupied and used to the full 
capacit) of the -aid railroad, a- the general machine and repair -hop- ,,1 said 
railroad company, and a certified copy of the acceptance and ratification of 
this contract b) the director- and the majority of the stock holders of the 
Louisville, Evansville & Si I ouis ' onsolidated Railroad Compam 1- tendered 
to the auditor of Gibson county. Indiana, for filing a- .1 ] arl of the r< 
the hoard of county commissioners of Gibson county, Indiana." 

Tin- proposition was published in the Princeton Clarion and thi 
of Patoka township given a chance to form their opinions as to the matter 

1 '• Saturday, November jj. 1890, transportation was provided for three 
per- n- from each school district in Patoka township to Washing! 

nty, Indiana, to examine for themselves the Baltin Ohio -1 

there, and to go among the citizens and farmei liat vicinity for the 

purpose of learning whether the voting of six thousand dollar 1 

payable in four installment-. April. 1892, November, 1892, \pril. 1893, and 
November, 1893, was advisable or not. Thi trict 

appointed the men to go. Four hundred boarded the special train that day 
and went to Washington. The dissenters were in the minority when the 
train returned, and these wei tly ones who had partaken loo freeh of 

the "old r 

The hoard of count} commissioners ordered an election to he held in 
Patoka township on Tuesday, January 13, [891. b) !■ ers, to determine 

the question of appropriating tin- desired mot the railroad 



108 GIBSON COUNTY. INDIANA. 

iii changing the line of its road and also in the way of making improvements 
and adding division and repair shops. At this election there were nine hun- 
dred and fifty-nine votes in favor of the tax, and four hundred and ten not in 
favor, making the majority in favor of the shops five hundred and forty-nine. 
The four hundred and ten voters opposed just about represented the number 
in the township against the improvements. These men held opposition meet- 
ings where orators were imported for the purpose of stirring up the people 
to their side, but the efforts proved futile. The majority of the people saw 
the benefit of the shops. 

The appropriation was made and the shops built. Meanwhile a land 
company known as the Princeton Land Company was formed to buy a large 
tract of ground and donate from this tract the forty acres needed by the rail- 
road company, and to plat the remainder into town lots and sell them, thereby 
making profit on the investment. Thomas R. Paxton was president of this 
company, John H. Miller was secretary, and Harry Kurtz was the promoter. 

At this date, 1914, the shops are still growing, and have come to be one 
of the greatest industries in the county of Gibson. From three hundred to 
five hundred men find employment here, and the monthly pay roll amounts to 
over thirty-five thousand dollars. The shops are located in the southern part 
of the city, and transportation is provided by automobile from the downtown 
district. The shops are equipped with the newest and best machinery, and 
the slogan of the place is "efficiency and dispatch." The most modern safety 
appliances are used to prevent accidents, but when these do occur, as they are 
bound to do, immediate attention is given to the victim. The round house 
has a capacity of eighteen engines, that is, comfortable working capacity. 

In closing this short exposition of the Southern shops it is only fitting to 
pay a small tribute to the man who was responsible, perhaps more than any 
other, in securing this improvement for the city of Princeton. This was 
Henry ( Harry) Kurtz. He gave up a lucrative position, also his own money, 
so that he might aid the cause of a better Princeton. He labored hard, he 
sacrificed, and all without pay. Nothing more could higher perpetuate the 
memory of this patriot. The Southern shops are in fact a monument to 
Harry Kurtz. 

IIAZELTOX RAILROAD WRECK. 

One of the worst wrecks in the history of southern Indiana occurred on 
the Evansville & Terre Haute mad, now the Chicago & Eastern Illinois, at 
three o'clock. Wednesday morning. March 10. 1897. Fast train No. 5, south 
bound, was wrecked at the high embankment forming the southern approach 



gibson coun ry, Indiana. tog 

to the White river bridg< about two miles north of the town "f Hazel ton. 

Back water ("rem White river had tl led thai portion of the country up to 

within a few feel of the track and the water depth measured about twenty 
feet. The high embankment was consequent!) weakened and gave waj 
under the weight of the heavy train. When the train approached the fatal 
bridge it was running at a speed of twenty-five miles an hour. The engineer 
obeyed orders and slowed his engine as he drew near the bridge, but was still 
running at a good rate of speed when the embankment was reached one hun- 
dred and fifty yards from the bridge proper. Then came the catastrophe, 
sudden and appalling, and unavoidable as much as tragic. 

Without warning the track gave in and literally slid oul from under the 
engine. The water rushed through the opened levee, and the aperture was 
widened rapidly by the force. The engine turned over into the ditch ten I 
east of the track, landing broadside in five feet of water. The b: car 

followed and plunged headfirst into the washout. The smoker came next and 
was telescoped by the b the top being cul off down to the level 

of the windows. The ladies' coach and sleeper remained on the track and 
none of the occupants were injured in the least. 

The death roll was numbered from the occupants ach 

and r. This ill-fated coach broki r< >n i the couplings and 

floated down stream, where it finally sanl >r two I 

recover this car, and the number < 

conjecture. A large number, possibly a dozen, lives were h certain, 

among them beii uctor George A. Sear-, whose arm was seen protrud- 

from one of the windows as the ink. \*<>t until April 29th, m 

than siv weeks after the wreck, did one body come to light, and that was a 
traveling man t'r. mi Fort Wayne named W. II. Lai ional dh 

rked on the wreck for days and day-, but 1 ail. The toll is the 

and and water, forever h of man. 



CHAPTER VIII. 



AGRICULTURE IN GIBSON COUNTY. 



Ever since the dawn of creation agriculture has claimed the attention of 
the major portion of the human race, either directly or indirectly. In fact, 
the race could exist but a brief time were it not for that which the soil 
brings forth and this must largely be produced by the untiring labors of the 
diligent, faithful husbandman. Some sections of the state of Indiana, as 
well as main - other states, have other resources upon which to subsist, 
financially, but the great wealth comes from the soil and harvesting of crops. 
There are many excellent farming counties in this commonwealth, but few, 
if indeed any, can produce better crops than does Gibson county, mie year 
with another. 

The quality oi soil and general adaptibility of the land for the produc- 
tion of crops in any given community is best seen by glancing at the state 
reports that show the annual returns, from an impartial, unbiased stand- 
point. Such reports show that in 1900 Gibson county had -.073 farms, and 
ten years later it had 2,882 farms. The number of native white farmers in 
1910 was 2.687: foreign-born farmers, 103: negroes and other races, ninety- 
two farmers. 

The number of farms in the county in 1910 from three to nine acres, 
was 107; from ten to nineteen acres, 157; from twenty to fifty acres, 655; 
from fifty to one hundred acres. 841 ; from one hundred and seventy-five to 
two hundred and sixty acres, 240; from two hundred and sixty to five hun- 
dred acres, 96: from five hundred to one thousand, 9. 

Of the approximate 311,000 acres in the county, there were 273,000 
acres in farms; improved lands in farms, 244,000 acres; woodlands in farms, 
25.300 acres; other unimproved lands in farms of the county, 3.202 acres. 
The average number of acres per farm was ninety-four. The total valuation 
of all farm property in 1910 was $21,484,996, an increase of seventy-two 
per cent, in the last decade. Of this amount over two million dollars was 
in domestic animals. The values were classed as follows: Land, j^ per 
cent.; buildings, 12 per cent.; improvements, 2 per cent.; domestic animals, 
10 per cent. The average value of lands in Gibson county was shown in 
the 19 to reports to be $59.59 per acre. 



GIBSON COUNTY. INDIANA III 



I'KI \"( IT 



The state reports for [910 show the following: Acre- of corn, 71,000; 
bushels, 2,746,756. Oats, 1 370 acres; bushels, 88.200. Wheat, 55,? 
acres; bushels, t.o Rye, |.o8 acre-: bushels. 4,728. Barley, 12 

acres; bushels, 236. Clo ed, 358 bushels. Potatoes, 699 acres ; bushels. 

70,149. Tobacco, 1 5 acres; pounds, [4,160. Ha\ and forage, 25,716 acres; 
tons, 33,003 rimothy, 8,268 acres; tons Clover, 5.872 acn 

'' ms, 7.31 

I he total value of the domestic animals in the county in [910 was plai 

at 2,020,583. Of this amount there was of cattle, $350, : of horses, 

$98; if mules. $31 es and burro 0; -wine. $256,000; 

sheep, $58,000. < If poultrj there was in value. $87,103; of bees, $2,643. 

i [RTY VI VRS \GO. 

The following appeared in a former history county, and re- 

mditions and opinions on the soil and crops ai that date: "This 
county contains within its limits some of the best and most productive soil 
within the state. Agricultural pursuits are. in fact, the leading employments 
of the people and the rich returns that they bring to those engaged in them 
]irninise to attract strangers and reward all who devote their labor t" them. 
Gihs. ,n county is located within the wheat Kelt. The leading staple products 
Wheat. Indian corn, oats, potatoes, hay, tobacco and sorghum. The 
producl so varied as t.. warrant the assertion that no year . >r season 

can occur in which the true husbandman will be completely disappointed in 
his hopes. Another branch of industry is stock raising. In this county may 
be found a few fanners engaged in breeding blooded sheep, cattle, horses, 
swine and poultry. This is an industry thai ought i" receive more attention 
from the farmers generally. Mmosl every desirable fruit, every useful 
grain, every nutritive grass, is found here growing to perfection, tndustn 
may grow rich with the proper use of its resources and domestic comfort, and 
n luxury may find ample opportunities to ible desire." 

Since the above was recorded this count) has advanced wonderfully in 
the farming and stock-raising industry. Better crops, more yield per acre 
and better stock ne to obtain in every township in the entire county. 

Land has rapidly advanced in price, yet nol so high that renting is out of 
date because of small profits, hut on the other hand manv "f the renters are 



112 GIBSON COUNTY, INDIANA. 

making good money for the work they are annually doing on other men's 
lands. 

GIBSON COUNTY AGRICULTURAL AND HORTICULTURAL SOCIETY. 

l:> Roy P. King. 

In the history and development of Gibson county, there is no movement 
or organization so closely interwoven into the affairs of the county as the 
Gibson County Horticultural and Agricultural Association and no historical 
sketch of the county would be complete unless it included a review of the 
sixty-two years of energetic co-operation of the county's leading citizens to- 
ward advancing the interests of the farmer, the merchant, the mechanic and 
the artisan and instilling in them the desire to excel in every line of produc- 
tion and trade. 

To give a complete review of the activities of the Gibson County Fair 
Association it is necessary to go back several years before the formation of 
the society to record a number of events which were responsible for its 
formation and which laid the groundwork for the association, which 
flourished until today it ranks above any of its kind in the state. 

To one man, long since forgotten except by a few older residents of the 
county, belongs great credit. This man was Dr. George B. Graff, who in 
1843 came to Princeton from Maryland, a man whose mind dwelt upon the 
future with an infinite faith in the great Middle Western states and whose 
philanthropy aided in its growtli and development. As evidence of his 
philanthropic spirit, it is shown that, at considerable expense, Doctor Graff 
imported to Gibson county a quantity of what was then known as "White" 
or "Tapahannock" wheat, the species which is grown throughout southern 
Indiana today. The wheat was given to the farmers of the county for seed- 
ing purposes and proved a success beyond all expectation. 

From stories of the generosities of Doctor Graff which have been handed 
down he was at all times deeply interested in the growth and welfare of Gib- 
son county and when in 1852 he projected the idea of holding a county fair, 
he secured the support of the leading citizens of Princeton and the surround- 
ing country, including Dr. John McMaster, John Hargrove, A. Lewis, W. 
Kurtz, Dr. Joseph I. Neeley, Dr. W. W. Blair and others, whose names are 
closely linked with the history of the later organized fair association. 

The idea of holding a fair was financed by the men named above and it 
was held in the court house yard at Princeton, November 11. 1852. Such 
live stock as was exhibited was tied to the fence surrounding the court yard 



DC 

n 
- 



c 

X 



- 

X 



X 

-. 
- 

c 

X 




GIBSON COU \ IV. I X I H \NA. 1 I 3 

and an effort was made toward a disp '.inn products of all kind-. X" 

admission was charged an.! tin- premiums were made up from mone 
1>\ the merchants and others of Princeton, rhe premiums amounted i<> thirty 
dollars. In addition to the cash premiums, silver cups were awarded 
prize- and this feature was continued long after the fair association 
organize. 1 The officers >i this preliminary organization were: John Har- 
grove, president; Andrew Lewis, rid William Kurtz, treasurer. 

The first fair was so well attended and was such a success that it v\ 
repeated the following year, on October 4th. During the following two 

held, hut in 185*) the movement was re- 
vived with added success. The premiums paid in 1856 amounted t.> two 
hundred and twenty-live dollars, with four hundred and ten entries in all 
classes. Like the former two fairs, this was also held in the court house 
yard. 

The unquestionable success of the fair in 1850 led to die organization 
..f the Gibson County Horticultural and Agricultural Association. It 
evident to everyone that the movement was one which would increase in 
favor and on September 10. [856, articles oi incorporation were tiled. 
signed by the following: Judge Elisha E. I Dr. \V. W. Blair, Silas 

M. Holcomb, St., A. 1'.. Lockhart, Alexander Devin, John McMaster, George 
Kendle. Dr. Joseph 1. Xecley. Thomas L. Smith. George W. Polk, Dustin 
Mills. B. F. Meade. D. T. Linegar, Thomas McMullen, T. I'.. McCormick, S. 
M. Barton, Robert Boswell, lames, p. i ). Lownsdale, Horace Page, Francis 
Wade. John McWilliams, \. < ■ Boswell, Brers. James T. Embree, B. 

B. Estes, Joseph Devin, A. Poland, Hallock & Parmenter, X. B. Maxam, 
Andrew Lewis. Hamilton ['oik, Samuel Hall. R. B. Hallock. Samuel 

s, J. ihn Lag .w . 

It is interesting to note that of the list of original signers of the art ii 
of incorporation, Dr. W. W. Blair, of Princeton, is the only one living at the 
ent time 1 1914). 

Though Dr. George B. Graff took an active interest in the permanent 
janization of the association, his name does not appear in the list oi in- 
rporators. However he was the first corresponds ary of the as 

ciation. Doctor Graff did not remain in Princeton to see his idea blossom, 
as that same year, .>r early in (857, he moved to < Imaha, Nebraska, when 
died in 1X05. 

The articles of incorporation stated that non-dividend-paying shares 
■ k should be issued and at the beginning of the organization two hundred 
(8) 



114 GIBSON COUNTY, INDIANA. 

and thirty-three of these shares were sold. In later years considerable other 
stock was issued, but always with the original idea that they should not be- 
come a commercial asset. 

At the first meeting of the directors the following officers were elected 
to serve one year: Judge Elisha Embree, president; A. Harrison, vice- 
president; G. B. Graff, corresponding secretary: W. W. Blair, recording 
secretary: A. B. Lockhart, treasurer. 

The board of directors consisted of twelve members, but the names of 
the members of the first board are unknown, the early records of the associa- 
tion having been destroyed by fire. 

At the first meeting, the directors were given authority to purchase not 
to exceed ten acres of land for permanent grounds in a suitable location, near 
the town of Princeton, and in accordance with that order eight acres were 
purchased from Judge Elisha Embree, which was the nucleus of the present 
beautiful grounds of the association. The original tract of land lies near 
the present main entrance to the grounds and extends westward. 

The fair of 1857 proved the success of the venture. Over seven hun- 
dred entries were made that year and the proceeds of the fair were over seven 
hundred dollars. Admission to the grounds was charged for the first time. 

There is no record of the fair of 1858. but in 1859 the receipts were more 
than one thousand five hundred dollars and the premium list was a trifle over 
eight hundred and fifty dollars. A fair was held in 1858. but the records 
were destroyed. 

By this time the fair had grown to such proportions that it was necessary 
to purchase more land and on January 4, i860, this was done, six more acres 
adjoining the original tract being acquired from Judge Embree. This addi- 
tional land permitted the grading of a show ring, one-third of a mile in cir- 
cumference. 

For many years following the organization of the association racing 
was not a feature of the fair and this ring was used for show purposes only. 
Eventually racing became popular and the track was utilized for this purpose, 
not, however, without considerable opposition on the part of many stock- 
holders who were opposed to it from principle. 

Other additions were made to the grounds from time to time as the fair 
grew in proportion In 1870 six acres were added, in r88o three acres. 1882 
three acres. 1887 six acres and in 1892 nineteen acres. The addition of 1892 
was the last addition, but beside those mentioned prior to 1892 there were 
other smaller lots purchased, making the grounds contain at the present 
time a fraction over sixty acres. 



ISON I'nl" N" I V. I Xl'l W'A. I I 5 

Following the purchase of the largest addition of land in 1892, a half- 
mile speed ring was surveyed and many new buildings erected, which im- 
provements were followed a few years later by the erection of a grand stand 
with a seating capacity of six thousand. In 1913 a permanent administration 
building was erected and the improvements contemplated in the near future 
include an exhibit hall or coliseum of ample proportions 

Every year since its formation ha- seen the association more successful, 
until at the present time it stands as one of the mosl stable of the organ- 
izations of its kind in the Middle West. f*he boasl that Gibson count) has 
one of the best county fairs in Indiana or surrounding states is not an idle 
one. It ha< kepi ;th modern' thought and as conditions have changed, 

so has the policy of the fair management been changed, except as to the 
fundamental ideas upon which its success has been built. It has always been 
the policy to not limit competition in the matter of exhibits, except during the 
first tluve fairs which were held, and in the awarding of premiums the non- 
resident of the county stands an equal chance with all. Qualit) alone is con- 
sidered. The fair, in a strict sense, is not a county fair. 

From the first the Gibson Count) Fair Yssociation has been cap. 
officered, which fact alone is responsible for much of the success which has 
attended it. A roster of its '.nicer- and directors contains the names of many 
of the most conscientious and influential men of Gibson county. 

Throughout southern Indiana and Illinois and northern Kentucky the 
Gibson county fair has become famous as an event when a day of enjoy- 
ment can be spenl tree from all immoral influences. From the outset it has 
always been the policy of the association to bar all exhibits and attracti 
which were lacking in morality. Gambling in all it- phase- ha- always been 
strictl) forbidden, a- well as the sale of intoxicants on the grounds. In the 
well-grounded belief that running races attracted an undesirable 1 
people, no speed contests have been In the 

strict and impartial enforcement of these rules, lies much of the success ,,1 
the t'air in all the years of its successful operation. 

The Gibson County Fair Association was am first to be organized 

in the state. In the few years following, lairs vv< nized generally 

throughout Indiana, but in ii" single instance has vned the efforts 

of the early organizers in a larger degree than in Gibson county. In many 
counties interest m the :ation lagged after a few years and in 

many others in their efforts to instill new iti'>n and re 

the wai introduced winch led ultimately !•> com- 

plete failure and in the end to a completi 1 of the 1 



Il6 GIBSON COUNTY, INDIANA. 

and in its stead came racing meets, carnivals and like events of no lasting 
benefit. Through all the years, hi iwever, the Gibson county fair has re- 
mained true to the first great principles laid down by its organizers, an event 
where the best that is produced in this and surrounding counties may be ex- 
hibited, a time when friends and neighbors may meet to renew friendship, a 
place where family ties may be again renewed. 

Too much credit for keeping alive interest in the Gibson county fair 
during the years when it seemed to lag and fairs in surrounding counties 
were being disbanded, cannot be given to the memory of Robert A. Mitchell, 
who filled almost every office on the board of directors at some time in his 
career, with credit to both himself and the association. The fair organiza- 
tion has never had a more faithful and energetic worker than Mr. Mitchell 
and the firm foundation of the association today stands as a monument to his 
enthusiastic endeavor. 

From the first year when the exhibits were few in number and the 
premium list but thirty dollars, the fair has grown until the entries each year 
are numbered by the thousand and thousands of dollars are distributed 
annually in premiums. From seven hundred dollars, the first record of paid 
admissions, the attendance has grown until more than six thousand dollars is 
paid annually by those who pa-.-, through the gates. 

Great pride has always been taken in the grounds and they are un- 
equalled in point of beauty by any similar grounds in Indiana. The natural 
forest trees have been conserved, large exhibit halls maintained and in every 
way the comfort of exhibitors and patrons kept in mind. 

There are many interesting features connected with the grounds of the 
Gibson County Fair Association, aside from the fair itself, chief among 
which was that they furnished camping space for three regiments of soldiers 
which went out of Gibson county during the Civil war, the Fifty-eighth, 
Sixty-fifth ami Eightieth Indiana Volunteer Regiments, which were re- 
cruited on the fair grounds and it was here that the men received their first 
military instruction. 

In the sixty years the grounds have been maintained there have been but 
few accidents or tragedies which have occurred within their confines. A 
few years following the Civil war. David Williams, a voting man. was killed 
in a runaway accident and in the late eighties Miss Gertrude Downey, of 
Francisco, was murdered by Sylvester Grubb, a jealous suitor. 

The grounds have been the gathering place for many reunions between 
families, veterans of the Civil war and fraternal societies and many dis- 
tinguished men and women have passed through the gates. 




m 

H 



s ^ 

o 

O 

— s 

3 3 



o 

- 



GIB \ IV, INDIANA. 1 I 7 

The spirit of keeping alive the county fair idea and making it live into 
the iK'Nt generation has always been the first though! of the officers and 
directors and at the present tunc the legacj which ha- been handed dowi 
<uir forefathers is held in sacred trust. 

GIBSON COUNTY BOYS' CORN SHOW. 

From early times Gibson county has had the reputation as the 

I corn growing counties in the state, and it has kept pace with other 
counties in modern and progressive methods of cultivating thai cereal. There 
was a time when little attention was given to methods of corn cultivation, 
the selection of seed for planting, etc., these things being con minor 

importance in the primitive farming days. Then it was the custom of the 
fanner to prepare his ground by skimming over it with a light plow, harrow 
it. sometimes, lay it off in en "iked furrows, and then it was read\ for the 
seed. The seed was selected from the corn crib, from what corn was left 
r from the winter'- feeding, with little care whether the grain was perfect 
shriveled and worm-eaten. The seed -elected, the ground "laid off," and 
other preparations made, then the indispensable toy with his tin bucket was 
called into service. The boy followed the furrow, dropping the corn from 
the seed carried in his bucket, three >>r four, sometimes more grains to the 
hill, followed by the man with the hoe who covered the grains. \ner a 
time some of these grains sprouted, bul a "good stand" was an unusual and 
unexpected result. Re-planting was usuall) necessary. 

But all this has been changed, b) the application of scientific study and 
the exercise of common sense. The fanner of today not onl ittention 

i" the study of the character and preparation of the soil, bul also to the 
quality of the seed. The seed is not onl) carefully selected, but is tested, and 
that which does not meet the required test does not go into the ground, but 
goes to the h< 

These progressive idea- in farming are due largely to the teaching and 

in tli Purdue University, and the intr< iduction of this study in the com- 

The result is tint the 1" interested. It has 

been demonstrated that education and science applied t>> farming, as well as 

t" other occupations, are necessan t" obtain thi 

'plaice of this awakened interest in scientific farming, the boys arc turning 
their attention more t<> thai vocation, and no1 oming lawyi 

r- ■ >r preac 1 i 



1 18 GIBSON COUNTY, INDIANA. 

The man who has done more than any other one person in Gibson county 
to interest the boys in this industry is W. A. Barnett, of Hazelton. A few- 
years ago he gave a notice through the papers that he would furnish one 
hundred boys each one quart of high class seed free, if the fathers of the boys 
would furnish the ground in which to plant the corn and agree to give the 
boys all the proceeds from the crop produced. A corn show at the end of 
the season was also promised the boys, every boy to get a prize. Books were 
to he furnished by Purdue University, by which they were to keep a record 
of planting, cultivating and harvesting, with bulletins from the same institu- 
tion for instruction. Eighty boys responded to this offer, and when the 
records were submitted the production shown was from sixteen to twenty- 
five bushels from the seed furnished. 

The promised corn show was held in Princeton, January 18, 1911, which 
was largely attended, not only by the boys interested in the contest, but by 
farmers from this and adjoining counties. Concerning this event a local 
paper said : 

"It has been up to the standard, both in attendance and interest, and the 
corn show was really better than any former affair of this kind. All who 
\ isited the show of corn produced by these boys were impressed with the 
progress made in corn culture in the last ten years. To produce such corn 
specialization was necessary, as well as application of brain and muscle. The 
boy farmer of today has profited by the experience of his father, and, by the 
study of soil and conditions, has learned the element- that are most necessary 
to produce the best." 

As promised by Mr. Barnett. all the boys who accepted his offer and 
entered the contest were given a prize. The boys were also treated to a line 
dinner, after which they repaired to the court house steps and had a group 
photograph taken. This photograph is reproduced in another place in this 
volume. Following are the names of the boys in this contest: 

PRIZE WIXXERS IX THE GIBSON COUNTY CORN SHOW. 

Walter Adams, Chester Armstrong, Darwin O. Spore. Grin Giesselman, 
Homer Alcorn. John Mobley, Frank Kimbrough, Oscar Sturges, Cato Powell, 
Wylie Woods, Oscar Kenner, Warner Johnson, Frank Gambrel, Darwin 
Woods. Wash Johnson, Thomas Taylor, Moody Blythe, Aaron Goodrich. 
Gu) Loftin, Johnson Emmerson. Louis Marvel, Alfred Wirth, Arnold Mc- 
Carty, Darwin Simpson, Wayne Gale, llobert Reed, Carl Woods, Charles 



GIB NTY, INDIANA. I hi 

Sulrs. John Onyet, Ernest Warren, Walter Ackman, Oscar Montgb i 
in Wallace. Mike Hisker, Alois Knapp, Virgil Emerson, Virgil Joi 
I ). II. Kirk. Claude Robb, John Rutter, Virgil Seaman. Alfred Lamar, Hobert 
Lamar, Paul Braselton, Alex. Milburn, Marl White. Cloyd Hardiman, Kay 
Harris. Thomas Lynch, Wilbur Barnett, Ernest McFetridge, John Johnson, 
Vesper Morrow, Walter Yeager, Percj Droll — fifty-five. 



CHAPTER IX. 



GIBSON COUNTY NEWSPAPERS. 



The first venture in the way of publishing a newspaper in Gibson county 
was made by a man by the name of John F. Buntin in 1845. The initial 
number was in July of that year and the form of the paper was a six-column 
folio, and was called the Princeton Chronicle. It made ks appearance regu- 
larly every week for about six months, when it began to show signs of financial 
debility, and finally the publication ceased. This was the first newspaper 
collapse in Gibson enmity, but was not the last by several. 

In 1846 William Kurtz, then county auditor, was instrumental in the 
purchase of material for a printing plant and starting another newspaper in 
Princeton. On August 13th of that year the Democratic Clarion appeared. 
with William F. Hutchen as editor and publisher. 

Wylie S. Hastings writes interestingly of the Democratic Clarion, as 
follows : 

"The August sun was beating down on the thin rows of frame buildings 
about the public square with a vigor such as few of the old residents could 
remember. Horses about the hitch-rack around the court house clanked 
their trace chains in an effort to rid themselves of the pesky flies and at the 
same time get a mouthful of the short, wiry grass that fringed the yard. Two 
yoke of oxen hitched to a log wagon driven by a middle-aged man, sun-tanned 
and dusty, swung slowly up to the town pump along the old state road. 
Groups of men lounged carelessly in the shade of the trees that skirted the 
court house yard and discoursed lazily on politics and the Mexican situation. 
Apparently the town had settled, or rather melted, down into a state of stupid 
contentment, denoting peace with itself and the outside world. 

"Such was the scene presented in Princeton in August, 1846. It was at 
this time a straggling little village with a few hundred inhabitants who made 
little or no attempt at outward show, but sometimes in their slumbers there 
flitted through their minds a dream that some day the village would grow into 
the metropolis of the 'Pocket.' 

"But while there was a temporary tendency toward dullness and lethargy 
on account of the heat and the hook-worm, there was one place in town 



GIBSON < "IX IV. IND1 \\ A. I _■ [ 

where activity was rampant, h was in a little building on the north sidi 
the square. There was no shingle over the fronl door to designate whal the 
building might contain, bul most ne knew by this time thai it was the 
1 the /', Clarion. It was a new establishment. Editor \Y. F. 
Hutchen was busily at work grinding out the firs i of Princeton's I 
regularly constituted newspaper, with th tion of the Chronicle, which 
had existed briefly in 1845. lie had a burning n for the g 1 towns- 

people, and it must be said that day. 

"Mr. Hutchen was a man inured to toil, as most good editors are. but 
his stock of patience and physical endurance was -trained almost to the 
breaking point on this day. as he had been battling against great odds. Writ- 
ing editorials in the humid atmosphere, preparing other copy, bumping over 
lifting heavy forms, running the old hand press and a thousand and 
one "ther things incident to launching a new ng it before the 

public were things requiring great fortitude and supreme adaptabil 

"At la-t on this date. August [3, 1846 the thirteenth, mind you -came 
the fruition of his mingled hopes and fears. It came in the shape of a four- 
page, five-column paper, part home print and other parts of foreign ex- 
traction. But it was nevertheless a home paper and well worthy of the 
courageous effort. The g 1 people looked at it v nse of wonder- 

ment, gazed at its odd mixture of headlines and then plunged in to devour 
its contents. However, there were few who realized fully that the coming 
of this little sheet to their homes marked a new era for the town. To us, who 
are removed more than three-score years from the time of Hutchen's first 
irt, the paper, though odd enough in form and general makeup, breathes a 
message of hope and prophecy. Harken to the sweep of the plucky editor in 
his salutation : 

"'Though we were disappointed and unable to issm per as -.,,,11 

as we expected, i1 is now before you, fellow , and. we trust, will 

.■. er the highest expectations that have been induced by the circular which 
ushered it to your notice In the mechanical exi n, pains 

and expense have alike been disregarded; for we were persuaded that we 
should he amply compensated, and determined to print a paper worthy of the 
intelligence and liberality of the county in which, we are proud t" belii 
we have found a permanent lion 

"Continuing, the editor II admire him for Ins trank; 

and liberality of thi lught : 

" ' \ll are privili to which party they will belong — and we 

have been pleased to join ourself with that party denominated "democratic" 



122 GIBSON COUNTY. INDIANA. 

We were not guided in this step by a thought that the members of that party 
were mure virtuous < >r more wise than those of the opposition — we have 
never believed, even for a moment, that all the principles of truth and virtue 
were contracted within the limits of a single party; on the contrary, we have 
always been taught to regard the masses of every party as morally and politi- 
cally honest.' 

"Thus the first permanent home paper Princeton ever knew was Demo- 
cratic. Nothing strange about that, as the county at that time was. as it has 
been in more recent history, in the Democratic column. 

'in his first paper. Hutchen gives the official statement of the vote in the 
county for the state and county officers, showing a Democratic lead on the 
vote for governor of forty-four. The Democratic majority had been cut 
perceptibly, however, which caused Editor Hutchen to remark: 'The party 
votes have been affected in favor of the Whigs by a system of swapping, 
which ought always to lie discountenanced.' 

"The 'system of swapping' to which Hutchen referred is now extinct in 
political affairs, thanks be to the good work of the newspaper editors. 

"The official vote of the county in icX_p) shows that on vote for governor, 
Patoka township gave Whitcomb (Democrat) one hundred and ninety-one 
against a vote of one hundred and forty-three for Marshall, the Whig candi- 
date. The entire vote for governor in the several townships of the county 1>\ 
both parties was seven hundred and eight. Stephenson was candidate for 
lieutenant-governor on the Whig ticket and Dunning for the Democrats, 
Stephenson winning by a majority of sixty-two. Shannon was candidate for 
sheriff on the Whig ticket and was elected, there being no opposing candi- 
date. L. Q. DeBruler, Whig candidate, was elected prosecuting attorney, 
there being no opposition. 

"Leaving the political situation to take care of itself (which it didi, let 
us consider the first issues of the Clarion Pike all country newspapers of 
that time, it was long on editorials, painfully short on advertising matter and 
totally barren of personals. A search of several files of the paper at the 
Princeton library fails to reveal any personals whatever. The only adver- 
tisements the first issue contain are that of the Morris National Press, a New 
York newspaper, and the job printing notice of the Democratic Clarion. No 
advertisements of merchants are found while Hutchen was running the 
paper The most frequent notices are sheriff's sales, obituaries and public 
auctions. The obituary notices appear in the advertising columns. In the 
first issue of the paper is mention of the death of Mrs. Margaret Sturges, 
who will he well remembered bv older inhabitants. 



GIBSON I OUN IV. INDIAN \ I -'.} 

"Judging by the frequent notices thai appear in the earl) issues, 
Princeton Guards were unusuall in those days. Here is a notice oi 

Lhem that appears in the initial issue ol the paper: 

" ' \tten: 

"'The Princeton Guards will meet "ii 1 i vening next, at half-past 

six o'clock, at the seminary, for the purpi < W. Kurtz, 

( ). Sergt. ( apt. A. Lew 

"'X. B. The Court of Enquiry will meet for tin assessment "t fines, 
en Thursdaj evening next, at 7 o'clock 1'. M., at the court house, Princeton, 
Ind., August [3, 1846.' 

"In a later issue .if the Clarion appears another notice "t special interest 
at the time: 

-■Arms! Vrms! 

" 'This is to notify all persons having in their 1 u muskel 

gers, sabres, pistols ami accoutrements belong lie state "t' Indiana, will 

se deliver them t<> the undersigned, or inform him of their when 
under the penalty of the law. he being ; ernor t" collect 

the same. William Kurtz.' 

"William 1". Hall was th< er t<> use prit an- 

nouncement appears in the September issue, [846, informing the public that 
he was prepared t" practice in the courts "t' the fourth judicial district. Am. mg 
the L, r rain dealers advertising was the firm of Milburn & Pisher. 

"Under date of August 20 this one appe; 

" 'Prim miliary. 

" 'The fourth - if this institution will comnn the 

24th day of August, [846. T. M. Munford, Pi 

"No doubt si 

•• • 1. 

" 'Wednesi Hie timi 

of this mystii ition. Members will notice tl :nts.' 

v '( Ine ••! the quaintest that app which 1 

thri nigh 

" ' \rri\aK am 

Mm Vrbutln 

" ' \n-' 1 - fri mi \ it 1 

k P. M. Clo 

" 'From Evansvilli 
A. ? 2 A. M 



124 GIBSON COUNTY, INDIANA. 

" 'From New Harmony every Monday and Friday at 6 P. M. Closes at 
6 1-2 P M. same days, and departs every Tuesday and Saturday at 6 A. M. 

"'Arrives from New Albany every Monday at 2 A. M. Closes at I 
P. Vt. and departs same day.' 

"Speaking about bot shots, however, try this one: 
" 'Beware of the Imposter ! 

"-'One A. C. Stratton, a large, corpulent and full-faced man, of sombre 
complexion, was apprehended in Princeton on yesterday, on a charge of 
swindling. He fraudulently uses the steelyards with which he weighs feath- 
ers in which lie deals. And though he was discharged, the accusations were 
most clearly sustained, and we, citizens, feel called upon to make this state- 
ment, that the unprincipled scoundrel may be known and prevented from 
swindling others. 

(Signed) " '< "itizens." 

"Some of the news items that appear on the editorial page will be of 
interest. Here are a few short ones : 

'The story that Robert Dale Owen had received an appointment from 
the president as minister plenipotentiary to England is untrue.' 

' 'We have the first number of a neat little paper printed at Jasper, in 
Dubois county. Its politics are of the proper order, and, we guess, pretty 
well understood by its editor. The paper is called the "American Eagle." 
Success !' 

' 'A bill, says the Cincinnati Enquirer, is pending in the house of rep- 
resentatives, changing some measure of the present rate of postage, making 
the cost of a letter from a distance of six hundred miles fifteen cents — estab- 
lishing the quarter-ounce as a single letter, and repealing the thirty mile ex- 
ception to newspapers. Under the present system the deficit of the depart- 
ment is $540,000.' 

" 'From the Army. 

' 'We have heard nothing worthy of note. General Taylor is no. doubt 
still moving forward, and will in due time be quartered at Monterey. The 
route from Chicago is by land, and is untimbered, so that the army will find 
its march extremely disagreeable — no shade, bad forage, and scarcity of 
water Avill be cause of much trouble and prosecution. It might, perhaps, have 
been well for the General to have stayed his forces at Chicago until the arrival 
of a better campaigning season.' 

"In the issue of October 31st we were surprised to find the following 
little item, as we did not know our fathers indulged: 



ISON ' OUN I Y. IM'l VNA. 1 25 

"'We understand that a laughing match will come off tonighl at 9 
o'clock on the public square. l'he competition is for $2.00 in money and 
twenty glasses of whiskey. Competent judges have been chosen to decide 
the contest and we have m> doubl the whole affair will Ik- of extraordinary 
interest.' 

"No doubt! Hut a- no mention of the result of the contesl n in 

later papers ami n<> one living v. ill 'plead guilty' t" having taken part in the 
affair, there is no way of finding out. 

"But let us turn from the laugh-makers and follow a little further the 
course of Editor Hutchen ami his newsp lie rest is not a long story, 

hut "U the other hand, is painful on account of its brevity. 

"Under the date of < Ictober 17. [846, this little bit ol information ap- 
pear 

" Readers of this paper will attribute the lacl oi editorials to the ab- 
sence of the edit' ir. lie is canvassing the district and solicitin riptions. 
lie will he in Boonville on Wednesday next ami in Mt. Vernon on Friday 
ami Saturday evening. Friends, do not let him "go away empty." 

" rhis, in itself, innocent enough— the editor 1- out on a business 

trip in the district. He will he hark shortly and edit his paper again. But to 
the knowing ones, who have experienced the great trials of trying to keep a 
country newspaper on it- feet, the meaning is deep and significant. Know 
you by this time the Clarion is on it s last pegs. Editor Hutchen i- making the 
final effort. ■ 

"Two week- later, on November 7th, the following announcement 
pear- : 

" '( nut of circumstances unnecessary to be known to anyone but 

ourselves, we have disposed of the office of the Demo I he 

gentleman whose name -land- undei lead of this number we 

cheerfully recommend to our patron- as a gentlei an and a sterling Demo- 
crat, and will fulfill our engagements with our sub 'A illiam 
I Hutchen.' 

" The ..ne whose name appeared ai tin- head ■•! thi from 

that date for si ars was William Kurtz, who took up Hutchen's un- 

finished work, profited by hi- mi-take- and climbed the ladder to edit.. rial 

Under the management ■•!' Mr Kurtz the 1 tcquired a lat 

culation in Gibson ami adjoining counties hi p Democratic, 

,.pp, ,-cd to the Whig part) of that time. In the u'reat political contesl •■! 

i860 tin i larion supported tin- I 1 the party, but when Lincoln 



126 GIBSON COUNTY, INDIANA. 

was elected and the Southern wing of the party inaugurated a rebellion, the 
Clarion followed the example of Douglas in giving full support to the Re- 
publican administration The paper took a decided stand against secession 
and exerted no small influence in the enlistment of soldiers in Gibson county 
to fight armed rebellion. As the war progressed all of the printers in the 
Clarion office laid aside their "stick" and enlisted in the army, and the editor 
himself followed their example As a consequence the publication oi the 
paper was suspended in November, 1863, and remained in this condition for 
several months. 

In October, 1864. A. J. Calkins purchased the Clarion plant and the 
paper reappeared as the Princeton Union Clarion It was now Republican in 
politics, and has kept the faith ever since. 

In August. 1877, Gil R. Stormont became the sole proprietor of the 
Clarion and continued as its editor and publisher fur nearly twenty-five years. 
Under his management the material and mechanical equipment of the office 
was enlarged and greatly improved and the circulation of the paper largely 
increased. In 1807 the Clarion appeared as a daih in addition to the weekly 
is^ue. In April, 1898, the Clarion and Gibson County Leader were con- 
solidated under the name of Clarion-Leader, < ril R. Stormont, editor and pro- 
prietor. In July, 1901, the plant was sold to a company composed of Fred 
R. Ewing, Samuel R. Adams and James A. Westiall. About a year later a 
stuck company was formed ami another consolidation was made with the 
News, then owned by Harry K. Stormont. The name was again changed to 
the Clarion-News, by which name it is still known, with Fred R. Ewing, 
managing editor, published by a corporation entitled The Clarion Publishing 
1 ompany. Since July 15, 1901, the paper, and the controlling interest of the 
corporation publishing it, has been tinder the control of Fred R. Ewing. The 
minor interests have changed hands several times. At present Fred 1\. 
Ewing is the editor and general manager, and George I'.. Grigsby is business 
manager. 

When the Clarion became a Republican paper the Democratic party of 
Gibson was without an organ, an equipment which was very essential to a 
party in those times, whatever may be the opinion as to its usefulness now. 
So. m [861, some of the leading Democrats formed a stock company, bought 
a printing outfit and employed \Y. II. Evans and Tames M. Keyes to put out 
a paper to advocate the Democratic faith. This was the beginning of the 
Princeton Democrat, which made its first appearance August 17. 1861. At 
the expiration of three months Mr. Keyes retired and Air. Evans assumed full 



GIBSON CO! NTY, INDIAN V 1-7 

control, eventually buying up all the stock and becoming sole editor and pro- 
prietor. Mr. Evans was a practical printer, a forceful writer, with a style all 
his own, anil the Democrat soon became a paper of wide circulation and much 
influence. For man) years Mr. Evans with his paper held full sway in part) 
affairs in Gibson count) Bui he received the appointmenl ;i- postmaster 
when Cleveland became President in 1885, and gave up his management of 
the paper, finally disposing of the plain. The plain ua» taken over by a stock 
company, and alter various experimental editors ha 1 tried tlu-ir hand at pub- 
lishing the paper, with indifferent success, John C. Gorman assumed the man- 
agement. After a long struggle and strenuous effort Mr. Gorman was able 
to buy up the stock and became sole proprietor, and has made a financial suc- 
cess of the enterprise, lie has a modern, up-to-date equipment and publishes 
a daily and weekl) of creditable appearance and good circulation. 

During these -ear- a numbet of other newspaper ventures have been 
made in Princeton. Some of these have flourished for a tune and gave prom- 
ise of being permanent fixtures, but all, save the Clarion and Democrat, have 
ceased to exist. Some of tl ventures were inspired with the 

idea that there was a long-fell want that needed t" be idled and they vvi 
ambitious to meet the demand. In mosl cases the supposed long-felt want 
was found i<> be a myth and these ambitious journalists, one alter another, 
passed it along to the next one desiring a course in this school nf experiei 
At one time there were four dailies and five weeklies published in Princeton. 
The three dailies that had been running for some time had hard wrk to 
make both ends meet, and no one knew this better than the publishers then 
but when the fourth daily came out with a flourishing headline. "Me ha 
come to stay," there was cause for real cot the 

others. But there was some relief when the paper that had "come to 
suspended a fter an experiem e of on 

• Ine of the papers w huh v as nd had a 

was the Gibson County 'The lir-t number of this paper was issued 

April 9, [884, by \. J. Calkins and \\ D ' tnd propi 

tors. Mr. Calkins had formerly bei r and publisher nf the 1 

Mr. Robinson was a young lawyer then, and afterwards judge of the appel- 
late court, and i- now located in Evansvilli ed with the 

ider for a shorl time \fter a ' rs Mr. <"; 

John I. Dunlap and N'ewt Selbv. Then Mr. Dunlap sold his interest 
Hugh T. Carlisle, who continued the publi< nd then 

the plant passed into the hands 1 W M. Herschell. 



128 GIBSON COUNTY, INDIANA. 

After a few months' experience they disposed of the plant to Gil R. Stormont 
and the Leader was consolidated with the Clarion and it passed out of exist- 
ence as a separate publication. 

Another newspaper venture that was developed after some variable en- 
deavors and experimental efforts and was made a success, was the Evening 
News, published by James McCormick. The News was the first daily estab- 
lished in Princeton. Mr. McCormick had for some time been publishing the 
Prohibition Era, having in 1888 succeeded Sumner Rose, who started that 
paper in 1887. After publishing the Prohibition Era for a few years with 
indifferent success, financially, Mr. McCormick discontinued it. From the 
same office outfit the Evening Neivs was established, the paper making its 
first appearance in April, 1893. It was an uphill job to make a daily paper go 
in Princeton at that time, but the News made good headway from the start 
and eventually established itself. In the latter part of 1902 the News plant 
was sold to Harry K. Stormont, who conducted the paper until February, 
1903, when it was consolidated with the Clarion, the identity of the two 
papers being carried under the name of the Clarion-News. The consolidated 
paper was under the management of an incorporated company, composed ol 
Samuel R. Adams, Fred R. Ewing, James A. Westfall and Harry K. Stor- 
mont. 

Some time in 1850 The Gibson Review made its appearance in Prince- 
ton, with John Evans as publisher and James Patterson as printer, Patterson 
having learned his trade in the Clarion* office. The Review was an advocate 
of Whig politics and made a strenuous tight against the Democracy advo- 
cated by the Clarion. At the head of its editorial columns was a declaration 
in favor of the nomination of Gen. W'infield Scott for President. Scott was 
nominated by the Whig- party in 1852, hut the Review did not stay long 
enough to announce his defeat, and the demise of the Whig part)- at the same 
time, in the election of that year. In 1851 the Review ceased to review things 
in Princeton and the office was moved to Petersburg. 

In 1856 the young and aggressive Republican party formed a national 
organization and presented a candidate for President in the person of John 
C. Fremont. The adherents of this new party were not very numerous 111 
Gibson county because of a lingering attachment to the old Whig party. But 
the principles presented in the platform of the new party found much favor 
with those who gave them thoughtful and unbiased consideration. To prop- 
erly present these principles a newspaper was a necessity. This was truly "a 
long-felt want." With this purpose in view, John E. Phillips and David E, 
Linegar, two young attorneys of Princeton, purchased a printing outfit and in 



I [BSl IN COUN i V. l MM \\" \. 

the summer of [856 published the firsl issue of the / trier. John 

E. Phillips was a vigorous writer and as editor of -the 1 1 thai 

paper in the front rank of political journals of that time. It was the most 

■ and influential political paper Princeton hi up t<> thai tii 

and it gave occasion for people to "sit up and take notice."' While the 
Courier was only published for about tv od service while 

it lasted, better than some papers have done for a much longer period, The 
crystallization of sentiment that resulted in the n of a militant 

Republican party in Gibson county was cine to the Princeton Courier more 
than any other one influence. 

In [858 the Courier printing plant came into the hands of a man by the 
name of Hester and another paper was started called the Southern Indianian. 
James Patterson was associated with Hester for a short time as printer: 
afterwards Jasper II. Keyes became interested in the publication, under the 
lirm name of Hester & Keyes. Under this management the paper continued 
for about one year, when Napoleon B. Risinger appeared and the publishing 
firm was changed to Risinger and Keyes. In the spring 
dropped out, a brother of Napoleon B. com While under 

the Rif ement the In which h in poli- 

med a coup de mam by an editorial announciii 
the paper thereafter would be Democratic, fust how mucl ml 

in compensation for this sudden chai known, but 

it is certain the pecuniary con? 

lin ire than offset by the shrinkage caused h\ rs who 

t nmi iled over each other in then- rush to stop their paper-. It was but a short 
time until the Indianian disa] In this connection it may be of intei 

tn -tate that Jasper H. Keyes, one of tho bli- 

'ii 1 if the Indianian. died at his honn 
11. 11)14. al the age of sevent) ■ was tin 

wh 1 publi; bed paper- in 

1 >ne mi ire \ entur< 
Princeton. That 1- a publii 
This paper was published in the 

ground ii ' 
1 >r [892. \ " 'lit the . which 

was "ii July 1 2, [893. Ih in the v 

of illumination until the 
started by the plant then v 

(9) 



130 GIBSON COUNTY. INDIANA. 

or thereafter. It was about two o'clock on that hot July afternoon when the 
alarm of fire was heard, and the people were not long in discovering that it 
was a sure enough fire. It was in a small frame building, about where the 
Baldwin insurance building is now, on Broadway, occupied then by the Light 
printing plant. This was the beginning. The ending was about sundown 
that afternoon when all the block in which the fire started, the entire block 
on the west side of the square, the block north of that and on to the railroad, 
with scattering buildings in other parts of the town, were a mass of smoulder- 
ing ruins. The fire originated in an overheated flue of the engine the Light 
office used as motive power for their press, and was under considerable head- 
way when discovered. The passing of the Farmers and Laborers' Light 
was nmre spectacular than that of several other Princeton papers that had 
gone before, but it was a very undesirable distinction for those who had to 
do with the paper. 

There have been several newspaper enterprises started in cither towns in 
the county, of which mention should be made. The first of these, probably, is 
the Montgomery News, at Owensville, by E. D. Hulfish. in 1870. This paper 
was published tor a few months, but not receiving sufficient support was dis- 
continued, and Mr. Hulfish removed his outfit to Tennessee, where he estab- 
lished a paper. Returning in 1877, ne started another paper in Chvensville 
called the Echo. With occasional suspensions, this paper has been con- 
tinued 1>v Mr. Hulfish since that time, until a short time ago when it was 
consolidated with the Ozvensville Star, with Mr. Hulfish managing editor of 
the combined papers. The Star was established sometime in the eighties by 
J- P- Cox, who has continued as its publisher, with a short interval, since that 
time. It has always been a good local paper, neatly printed and with a good 
circulation. Tn the same office has been published for several years the Bap- 
tist Messenger, a paper in the interest of the General Baptist church. It has 
a wide circulation among the brethren of that faith. 

Oakland City got into the newspaper game in [871, when J. K. Davison 
and David Doughty launched the Oakland City Independent. This paper 
was continued until 1873, when Mr. Doughty, being sole proprietor, removed 
the outfit to Boonville. There was also published in Oakland City in the 
early seventies :i paper called the General Baptist Herald, of which Col. W. 
M. Cockrum was one of the editors. We have no data as to the length of 
time this paper Continued there. Joe Armstrong also published a paper called 
the Record for some time in Oakland City. 

< Mi Tul_\' 3, 18S0. the Oakland City Enterprise made its first appearance. 



gibson o 'i \ ry, iM'i \\ \. [31 

with Nicholas A. Spillman as editor and proprietor. Mr. Spillman was a 
practical printer and an industrious, hustling newspaper man. and he soon 
had the Enterprise on a >"li<l financial footing. Mr. Spillman died in 189.4 
and tin- publication of the Enterprise was continued by Briggs Kepley, for 

a few \. 11 rhe paper was it"t able t" maintain tin- prestige given it by 
Mr. Spillman ami was finally suspended ami the outfit was removed t" Pet 
burg 

The Oakland City Journal was started in February, [893, by I. \V. 
1 ockrum, first as a weekly ami after a short time a semi-weekly publication, 
in which form the publication has continued ever since. Mr. Cockrum is 
up-to-date newspaper man. a hustler for business ami generally ,uets what he 
u;"es after in that line. Under his management the Journal has attained a 
d circulation ami is a financial success. In mechanical equipment for job 
and newspaper work the Journal office is not excelled by any printing plant 
in a town the -ize of Oakland City, ami nol by many in towns of much 
larger size. 

Port Branch has had a newspaper for several years called the Herald. 
published by Charles Speer, with a fair local circulation. \ short time 
the Fort Branch Times was started by C. B. ami I-".. t '. Swinney. The Times 
is a neatlv printed ami well-appearing sheet ami with the energetic publishers 
that seem t" he behind the enterprise it has a good prospect of being abli 
weather the st< irm. 

The Western Signal is the high sounding title of a newspaper venture in 
but that was all there was of it. Then there was tin 
and several ml names for newspapers that have been tried in that 

town, hut they were all misfits. The same is tine of several ambitious at- 
tempts ;,, persuade the people of Hazelton th aper was 
their crying needs. In every instance it has turned "tit that the crying 1 • 
was on the part of the party who attempted the persuasion. It is not neci 
sary t" mortuary record of tin newspaper- that have met 
the inevitable in Patoka, Hazelton and elsewhere in the county. Ii ient 
1. 1 sa\ thai they are .lead. 

In this sketch it is probable that s, ,me newspapers that have been pub- 
lished 1 inty during the last seventy-five years have been omitl 
ami it 1- possible that some of the date- and personal mention are nol 
ie err. Ts of this kind could hardh h; oided, since a la: 
of tin- ''.Mi's ami personalities mentioned are gath m the writer'- mem- 
ory, which is not an infall 



CHAPTER X. 



EDUCATIONAL INTERESTS. 



The key-note to all educational institutions in Indiana was the wise pro- 
vision of the first Constitution, adopted June 29, 1816, at Corydon, then the 
capital, and which read as follows: "It shall be the duty of the General 
Assembly, as soon as circumstances ;cill penult, to provide by law for a gen- 
eral system of education from township schools to a Stale University, wherein 
tuition shall be gratis and equally open to all." But prior to the laws enacted 
in 1852-55 the system had heen poorly managed and directed by the state, the 
county and the townships. Man}' opposed the "free school system" contem- 
plated in the Constitution. Much was left to the Legislature and there the 
friends of free schools were not in a majority, believing that it was an unequal 
taxation, hence unsound constitutionally. Many of the courts thus held. 
too. There was no county uniformity, it being left largely to the option of 
the citizens of a county or township as to whether they had schools or not. 
To remedy this evil an effort was put forth — wisely, too — to compel parents 
to educate their offspring. This culminated in 1852 when the General As- 
sembly sought to make a uniform law for a better common school. The 
enactment- of 1 S55 and those of [865, carried out the mandate of the consti- 
tution. 

At this point it isjvell to insert a well-written article by James \Y. Stott, 
in -the centennial number of the Princeton Clarion-News, of March, 1913, 
under the caption of "One Hundred Years in the Schools of Gibson County :" 

"Nowhere in the life of any community is the spirit, the progress and the 
ideals of a people hetter reflected than in its public schools. 

"One hundred years of school history in Gibson county takes us back to 
the scattered homes of the early settlers in the little forest clearings — at first 
far apart, but gradually becoming more numerous and closer together. No 
sooner did settlers become established than some central place was selected 
for a school house. Here there soon arose a little log cabin dedicated to the 
cause of education. The first school house in Gibson count}' was built in the 
Robb settlement, in White river township, about T807. In 1808 another was 
built near where Owensville now stands. Y the settlements became more 
numerous, the little log school houses grew in number. 



Q 

x 

w 

a 
X 
c 
o 

a 
- 



x 

r. 



5 

n 
- 




GIB>< IN i i 'i \ I V. I \hl WW. [33 

"During the period from [807 to (813 a number of families settled in 
what is now Princeton. Their first school was organized in a log cabin, 
which stood near the present site of the White Lumber Company. 

"These primitive school houses were built from the abundance of 1 
furnished by th< forests. The floor was made of split logs, and a large 
place extended almost across one end of the building. Providing wood for 
this fireplace furnished the big boys exercise. The chimney was made of 
sticks and clay. The light came through the greased paper, fastened over a 
wide space left between logs on one side. The door swung on wooden hinges 
and was fastened bj a large wooden bar. 

"The furniture of the room was in keeping with the building. There 
were no blackboards, globes, maps, charts, unabridged dictionaries, supple- 
mental reader-. The children were seated on benches, facing walls and 
with backs tow ar.l the teacher. The desks were rude shelving arranged 
around the walls of the room. When pupils <\u\ writing or figuring they 
d up to the wall desk. When they recited they marched up l" the front 
of the room near the master's desk, and 'toed the line' general!) one of the 
crack- of the floor. 

' 'No lickin', no larnin', was the motto of many a teacher in those days, 
and the course of study, 'readin', "rit in", 'rithmetic,' was frequently taught t" 
'thi.- tune of a hickory slick.' 

"In 1818 the state Legislature passed an act providing for the establish- 
ment of a seminary of learning in the counts scat of each county, and in [829 
the Seminary building, as the center of the Gibson county school system, was 
completed. Th's occupied the site of our present new cit) high school 
building. 

"From 1829 t" [860 is known as the seminar) period in the history of 
our count) schools. During th's period population rapidly increased ami the 
country schools became more numerous, while the attendance at the seminary 

dually increased as Princeton added i" its population. Hie year \t 
marks the beginning of a modern graded school system in Princeton, with I >. 
Eckley Hunter as superintendent of school n that time I" this the 

development of the schools has kept pace with the growth of the city, ami the 

high ideals that have chai pie of Indiana. 

"Today more than fourteen hundred school children of the ■ 

nun. 'dated in the various well equipped school buildi 
hrick and stone, and this year, the centet n county, the pe 

Princeton rejoice in the completion of "in- of the most beautiful and sanitan 
buildings in the si Indiana 



1 34 GIBSON COUNTY, INDIANA. 

"The story of school development is the same in all parts of the county. 
Gibson county has two hundred and thirty-five teachers. It has twelve high 
schools, of which number four are commissioned — Princeton. Oakland City, 
Fort Branch and Owensville. 

"Besides the public schools, the parochial schools at Warrenton, St. 
James, Haubstadt, Snake Run and Princeton, and last, but not least. Oakland 
City College must be given a place in the school system of our county. The 
high standing of Oakland City College is attested by the fact that many of our 
best teachers are now. or have been, students there, and that its enrollment is 
year by year increasing. 

"But the log school house lias quite disappeared. The term has grown 
from sixty days to eight or nine month-. The Hoosier schoolmaster, whose 
-lock in trade was sufficient for the pioneer days only, has passed to his reward. 
The state of Indiana is demanding better school buildings for its children. 
'letter preparation of teachers, better attendance of children, better co-opera- 
tion of parents, and as a result citizens thoroughly prepared to build into the 
life of our state the ideals of an educated, industrious and virtuous people. 

"< >ur fathers have builded well in the hundred years just past. Will 
the verdict of the next hundred years be as favorable to us? To make it so, 
we as children, as patrons, and as teachers, must remember that our schools 
are the hope of our country, and act well our part."' 

OLD-TIME SCHOOLMASTER AND HIS SCHOOL. 

From various data at hand, including state reports, educational works. 
interviews and the local writings of men in this and adjoining counties, the 
following paragraphs have been culled and selected for the purpose of show- 
ing the manner of teaching, the character of buildings, etc., which obtained 
in Gibson count}' at an early date, but all of which are really necessary to 
bring the reader to an intelligent understanding of what trials and difficulties 
our present boasted public school system has passed through during the last 
century : 

THE "MASTER" AT WORK. 

The log school house oi the first generation, with its clapboard roof, its 
mud-and-stick chimney, its greased paper windows, latch-string door, puncheon 
floor and huge fireplace: its puncheon seats, without backs or desks, ami its 
rude, primitive writing desk beneath the window — this was the domain of 
the early rural school teacher in Indiana. Here assembled the pioneer chil- 



GIBSOK C01 *TY, IND] WW. I JC 

dren for such instruction as the earl) master was capable of imparting. The 
school hours in the earl] pioneer days wen.- often very long, lasting in some 
localities from early morning until sunset, with perhaps an hour or an hour 
and a hall al noon for dinner and recreation. In spite of the blazing fire in 
the great fireplace, both teacher and pupil- were often chilled l>\ the cold 
winds which found entrance through the numerous chinks and crack- between 
the logs. Seated upon the backless benches, man\ of the -mailer pupils re- 
mained nearly the entire day with their feel dangling several inches from the 
il a- the} ailed t< i their recitations. 

It was the general custom in those days to study the lessons aloud, each 
pupil conning his spelling and reading lesson aloud <>r in an audible whisper. 
The droning of the words in spelling was frequenth accompanied by a 
rhythmical swaying >>t" the head and body backwards ami forwards, generally 
in time to the syllabication of the words. 

There was one great requisite on tin- part of even ' eei -he 

must !»• a good disciplinarian. The most important query usualh put to an 
applicant was, "Can you govern? Can you make the scholars -land around? 
Can yi>r, handle the big b When this poinl was settled affirmatively in 

the mind- of the district school directors, the applicant was generally sure of 
being employed, irrespecti ther ations. It was primarily a ques 

tion of '"il" lickin', no larnin'," in those days. 

The schoolmaster was a veritable Squeers. Beech and hickory switches, 

"i" which he always kept a g 1 supply, constituted the persuading and cor- 

rective features of hi- instruction. The daih application of '.he rod or 
"ferule" was considered just a- necessary by some teacher- a- was the conning 
of the spelling lesson or the noon hour lunch. Some teacher- made il a point 
to patrol the room regularly and whacked each pupil over the should* 
whether he needed it or not. ["his type of schoolmaster was "one of th< 
old-fashioned teacher- who gave the impression thai he would rather beal 
boj than not. and w he could find a good • 

lie whipped foi poor lessons ; he whipped for -pea' school; he took 

dow n his -witch for not speaking loud enough in class: he whipped for com- 

late to school; he whipped because a scholar made a noise with hi- fi 
and he whipped because he himself had eaten something unwholesome for 
breakfast gleston 

There was generally very little system, method or school room art main 
fest in the pioneer schoolkeeping days. In —me districts the first pupil 
n the morning was (he first on. ite, there usualh being - 

scholar to tin- class. \fter the on was i frequently 



I36 GIBSON COUNTY, INDIANA. 

exciting and amusing scrambles to recite, the general rule being that pupils 
were to recite in the order in which they reached the teacher's side. Every 
pupil was usually in a class by himself, there being as many classes as there 
were pupils. The pioneer teacher rarely grouped his pupils into classes, such 
a method of recitation apparently never entering his mind. The individual 
method, however, possessed some solid advantages which the group method 
of the present day sadly lacks. 

The course of study in the log cabin school house during the first genera- 
lion was not a very extensive affair. It usually consisted of reading, writing, 
spelling and ciphering to the single rule of three or simple proportion. Some 
of the teachers were not able to teach ciphering, but one was found occasion- 
ally who could even do compound proportion or "the double rule of three." 
The latter was considered a prodigy in the early days. The earliest arithme- 
tics used were Guthrie's, Smiley's and Pike's, the last being the one most often 
referred to. The New Testament and Murray's English Reader were the 
common reading books, although the custom was. in the pioneer days, for the 
pupil to bring any book he might happen to have at home. Some of these 
books were the Bible, hymn bonks, books of religious poems, Fox's "Book of 
.Martyrs," Bunyan's "Pilgrim's Progress." Aesop's Fables, Weem's "Life 
of Washington," Grimshaw's "History of England." Flint's "Natural His- 
tory" and Emma Willard's "History of the United States." Webster's old 
"Blue Back" Elementary Speller was almost universally used. 

An extended course in spelling always preceded the reading. The 
scholar progressed gradually from "a-b ab" to "incomprehensibility." After 
a prolonged apprenticeship in spelling the words, and in pronouncing them 
at sight, reading was taken up. The speller contained progressive lessons in 
reading, made up of short, pithy moral sentences and pointed stories, which 
usually contained one or more words used in connection with the annexed 
spelling lesson. 

Great stress was placed upon spelling by the old schoolmasters. It was 
a universal custom in the country schools, even up to and later than i8s;o, 
for the whole school to stand up twice a day and spell for head. Upon one 
day in the week, usually Friday, the afternoon was given over to a spelling 
match in which the whole school took part. The custom when spelling was 
to pronounce the word first, then spell and pronounce each syllable separately, 
repeating each of the preceding syllables in connection with the syllable last 
spelled, then pronounce the whole word again when completed. 

I11 some of these early schools, when the scholars had read, and studied 



GIBSON COl NTY, INDIAN \. 137 

the spelling I k through and through several times and could pronounce all 

of the words at sight, the) were formallj set to reading. 

Writing usuall) followed spelling and ' juill pens were uni- 

versally used in the earlier da> . there being at that time no lead or slate 
pencils. It was one of the requirements of the schoolmaster that he should 
be able to fashion pens out of goosequills. I op) books were usually made 
sheets of foolscap paper sewed together. Home-made ink was made by 
mixing together the inner bark of the maple with copperas, or from sumac 
and <>ak balls in vinegar. Pokeberrj juice was sometimes used, but >>n ac- 
count of it- tendency to sour it m ne into general use. The most com- 
mon type of inkstand of that period was made from a section of cow's horn 
which was fitted into water-tight wooden bi ttles. Pewter and lead were also 
used for making inkstands. 

During the writing recitation the scholars sat on a bench by tin- long 
shelf "i" table under the window. 1 1" the) were beginners the) practiced on 
making the "pot hooks and hangers" thai constituted the first exercises. If 
they were further advanced, the) followed the cop) set b) the master, this 
cop) usuall) consisting "t some mural or literary gem worth remembering, 
such a- "( ommandments ten. God gave t" men." 

After writing, the subject of arithmetic or ciphering was usually taken 
tip. This was practically limited to the boys, a- the girls were n<>{ c<m- 
sidered, as a rule, to have "head- for figures." Occasionally the i^irl- would 
take up grammar or geography when these branches happened t" he taught, 
which was not very often. Grammar was seldom looked upon with fa 
it being considered an absolute waste of time n> study it. 

Indiana was admitted a- a state in t8l6 The system of schools in the 
lir-t generation la-ted. therefore," until about [850. \ number of new and 

better text 1 ks w< iduced during the latter part of this generation. 

McGuffey's render- and spellers became ven popular, as did also Ray's arith- 
metic, which was introduced in 1848. This arithmetic took the place oi the 
older Guthrii d Pike's, and introduced dollars and cent- instead 

of shillings and pence as a form of moi ["he more advanced 

teachers now taught "square and cube roots" in addition to the single and 
double rule of three. The best type- of schools used ' line 's or Mitch. 

igraphies, Kirkham's grammar, < '. Inch's histon and Comsto 

physioloj 

The county seminaries, established b) the ■ "ire in the early 

twenties, were distributed liberally through thi about half of the 



I38 GIBSON COUNTY, INDIANA. 

counties. These institutions, in connection with private academies, tunned 
the ba/sis for the higher public education in the state. Seventy-three private 
and incorporated schools were opened between [825 and 1850. These 
seminaries and private schools constituted the first approach to the present 
high school system. Types of each of these schools have already been given 
in the discussion of the schools in Princeton. 

Notwithstanding the leavening influence of these institutions in connec- 
tion with the rural school district-, the school system of Indiana before [850 
was woefully lame. Free schools were considered by many as undemocratic 
and those who objected to them were bitterly opposed to taxing themselves 
to educate other people's children. The idea had not yet become prevalent 
that it is the right and the duty of the state through the taxation of all its 
citizens, to provide every child with an education. A member of the Legis- 
lature in [837 declared, during the discussion of a proposed school tax. "When 
1 (lie. 1 want m}- epitaph written. 'Here lies an enemy to free schools!'' 
(Boone, Richard G. ; History of Education, p. Xj.) In 1833 it was esti- 
mated by a competent educator that "only about one child in eight between 
five and fifteen years was able to read." 

Caleb Mills, a thoroughly progressive educator from Xew Hampshire. 
settled in Indiana in 1833. During the next decade and a half he labored 
incessantly to create a more enlightened educational sentiment in Indiana and 
to reduce the large per cent of illiteracy. Principally as a result of his 
agitation the Legislature of 1 847-4 S passed an enactment allowing the peo- 
ple of the state to vote for or against a proposition to tax themselves for the 
support of free schools. 

The election for this purpose was held in the fall of 1848. anil the propo- 
sition was carried by a majority of 111,030 for free schools; 78,523 votes were 
cast in the affirmative and 61,887 in the negative. 

The Legislature of 1848-40. enacted a new school law. authorizing public 
taxation for schools, but leaving the people of each count}- free to accept or 
reject the law as they chose An election for this purpose was held in August, 
1840. and the result was a majority in favor of the law of 15,767. Fifty- 
nine counties voted in the affirmative and of the thirty-one that voted against 
the law twenty were in the southern half of the state. 

According to the Indiana census of 1850 there were at that time nearly 
seventy-five thousand people over the age of twenty-one who could not read. 
"Fortv thousand voters could not read the ballot they voted, and nearly thirty- 
five thousand mothers could not teach their children the alphabet." ( Conklin, 
Julia S., Young People's History of Indiana, p. 215.) 



GIB NTY, IM'I WW. ! 39 

Tlu' nev -t.iti- Constitution of Indiana was adopted on Februarj to, 
[851, and became the law November 1. [851. A new era in education began 
with the ratification of the new 1 ition. The pioneer period was 

Following the adoption of the Constitution, the Legislature of [852 
supplemented and amplified the educational provisions contained therein and 
thus laid a broad basis for future educal Bj enactmenl 

gislature the township became tlu- political and th< 
the state, Indiana being the firsl stat I the township as the school mil. 

B) the Legislature of 1852, a law was passed providing for the sale of 
all county seminaries, the funds to be used foi the benefil of the common 
schools \ general tax "t' ten cent? h one hundred dollars was also 

provided for school tuition purposes. Section [30 of the same act declared 
that "The voters of any township shall have power at any general "r special 
meeting t" vote a tax for tlu- purpose of building or rep: 
and purchasing site therefor, providing fuel, furniture, maps, apparatus, 
libraries, "r increase thereof, and for continuing their schools after the public 
school funds shall have been expended, to am amount not exceeding annt ally 
fii'iv cents "ti each one hundred dollars of propert) and fifty cents <>n each 

poll." 

Thus were free schools ushered in for the first time in Indiana. L'p t" 
this time secondary education was popularly relegated t" private enterpri 
and religious denominations and it was -till a question in the minds of a lat 
1 .r< >] « nt i'ii of tlu- people whether it was right t" tax everybody for tlu- main- 
tenance of the common -eh. ml-. Under tin.' provisions made by the law of 
[852, however, new school houses were rapidly erected, graded sell iols were 
anized all over the state, and within a few year- 11 the larger towns 

and cities had excellent high schools. 

Just at the time, however, that educational progress had gained an ex- 
cellent start a severe blow was given it by an unfavorable decision of the 
supreme court "i" Indiana. In 1858 the court declared unconstitutional the 
law- permitting local taxation, on the ground that these law- wen gen- 

eral and uniform"' a- required by the Constitution. This • ed 

disastrous nol onlj to the common schools but caused the abandonment 
even high school in the ■ 

In [865 the Legislature passed the same law with different wording and 
this was -"in afterwards stitutional bj thi lurt. 



I40 GIBSON COUNTY, INDIANA. 

MORE ON GIBSON COUNTY EARLY SCHOOLS. 

No complete record is extant concerning many of the first schools of 
this county, for the pioneers made, but seemed to have little time to preserve, 
history. It is generally conceded, however, from such facts as have been 
preserved in printed page and memory, that the first school house was erected 
about 1807-08, in the northern part of White River township, in the Robb 
settlement, and soon thereafter in two or more other localities. 

Of this first school house it may be related that the structure was a one- 
story log house with clap-board roof and puncheon floor; the roof was held 
on by weight-poles made fast by hickory withes; it had windows of greased 
paper tii admit the light, a portion of a log being left out on each side to 
make room for a substitute for glass. A large fireplace extended across the 
entire rear end of the room, which was made of clay and sticks forming a 
chimney in which on cold clays a roaring fire of logs, piled high, sent out 
heat; the schoolmaster took good care to have his scat in the warm corner of 
the room. The fine desks of modern days had no place there, but slabs 
fastened up around the side of the house by pegs driven into the logs answered 
as a writing and ciphering table, while puncheon benches served for seats. 
The pupils all faced the walls when studying, but ranged themselves in a semi- 
circle in front of the fireplace when called to recite. In those primitive days 
the varied apparatus to be found in most of our school houses at the present 
day had no place, no maps faced the wall, neither did a globe or Webster's 
"unabridged" have a place on the teacher's desk, if desk there chanced to be. 
No disagreeable chalk dust filled the room, for no blackboard was used. The 
three rudiments — reading, writing and arithmetic — were the principal studies, 
the writing being done with goose quills from ink made by boiling in water 
the outer and inner bark of the maple with copperas, which formed a black 
fluid. The early schools of the county were subscription schools; the teach- 
ers generally boarding round from house to house, among the patrons of the 
school, and receiving their salary in money or produce. The school houses 
being few and far between, it was no uncommon thing for the pupils to have 
to trudge three, four or even five miles morning and evening to get a little 
schooling. The teachers, general!)-, were poorly educated, if stories told of 
them are to be believed, and in many instances sadly needing to be taught 
themselves. Most of them were proficient in wielding the rod. It is related 
of one of the early teacher- that he would occasionally get drunk during the 
school hours and vary the program of exercises by whipping the whole school. 
beginning on his own poor boys first, by way of getting his hand in. 



GIBSON COl \ I Y. 1 X I p l \N \. 1)1 

It is believed thai the second school taught in Gib nty was l>y 

Joseph Duncan, an Eastern man who was better educated than the aver; 
man of tins section, lie- taughl school here in (8o8 in an old log cabin, 
situated at the spring in the southeast cornel tion 2, a half mile west 

and north of where now ' iwensville stands. In i8io William Woods taught 
in the Williamson settlement, in a small log building, with a fire place in lx>th 
ends, and a log was left out on one side over which was pasted greased paper 
to admit the light. Mr. Woods "boarded 'round," as the) called it. In i8n 
|"hn Johnson taughl in the same place, and in iSi_> Adley Donald taught in 

a little log cabin which st 1 on the south side of the branch, in what is now 

Princeton. This cabin had previously been occupied by one of the pione< 
It stood on what is now South Main street. David Burch also taught in the 

le building, later. In i S 1 7 another log school house was built opp 
the corner where the United n church now stands. This was only 

used a \ear or two, and after the en 1 the frai ■ ' inter church. 

school was taught in it until the erection <>i" the brick seminar) building in 
1830. Teachers who taught in these buildings were Solomon I >. King, John 

irsley, Matthew Cunningham and William 1 hittenden. Ira Bostwick 
taught a subscription school in the old Covenanter church immediatel) after 
it was finished. Major James Smith was another early tear] 1 
John Kell also taught a sul ah. an iSj, . In 1823 Will 

Chittenden taught a private school in his own dwelling. In 1818 William 
Putnam taught a school in what i~ now Barton township, in a cabin "i oni 
the « . 1 « 1 settlers, the building being located on section 7. township ,}. range 
1, v Sharp and James Simps. .n were others who I irlv 

unty. 
Year after year and decade after decade, the si unty in- 

ised in number and. generally speaking, in efficiency, until in 1884, when 
the county school superintendent ill. A. V< 

there were in Gihson county whit mt- 

ing to a total 1 townsh 

Ban 

lery, 1,091 ; Pat ; Wabash, u; ; Was! 

: in Prii 
At that date tl 
ton. Fori Branch, ( >akland, ■ ■ Fran- 

Snake Run, in Barton townsl 
in Montgomery township; in Washington nd ' >rr. in 



142 GIBSON COUNTY, INDIANA. 

Patoka township. Thirty years ago. 1883, the following is shown by the 
reports to have been the condition of schools in Gibson county : 

White River township had nine frame school houses and fifteen teachers. 

Montgomery township had one brick and sixteen frame buildings and 
one log scho.olhouse, with twenty-three teachers. 

Columbia township and Patoka township had eight frame buildings and 
eight teachers. 

Washington township had ten frame buildings and eleven teachers. 

Patoka township had twenty-three frame houses and twenty-four 
teachers. 

Center township had nine frame buildings and eleven teacher.-. 

Barton township had twelve frame building- and fourteen teacher-. 

fohnson township had thirteen frame houses and fifteen teachers. 

Wabash township had four frame houses and four teachers. 

City of Princeton had one brick and two frame buildings and seventeen 
teachers. 

City of * )akland had one brick and one frame building and six teachers. 

The total number of school houses in this county was then one hundred 
and eleven, of which one hundred and seven were frame, one log and three 
brick. The number of teachers employed was one hundred and forty-eight, 
and the amount of school property was estimated at one hundred twelve 
thousand three hundred and seventv dollars. This was the showing made 
in 18X3-8.). 

SCHOOL STATISTICS FOR YEAR ENDING AUGUST I. IQI3. 

The subjoined is from the last report of the count) school superintendent 
of Gibson county. It is the 1912-13 report made to the state: 

Barton township had enrolled 430 pupil-; an average attendance of 304; 
number of frame school house-. 13 ; value of all schoolhouses, $29,000. 

(enter township enrollment, 412; average attendance. 350: frame houses. 
9; brick, 1 ; valuation of school houses, $25,000; number volumes in library, 
1.200. 

( oiumbia township, number enrolled. 218; average attendance. 91 ; frame 
schoolhouses, o: value of school houses, 89,000. 

Johnson township, enrolled, 227; average attendance, 185: number frame 
buildings, (>: brick, 3; books in library, 500; valuation of school houses. 
$17,500. 

Montgomery township, enrolled 960; average attendance. 720; number 



c;i RS< >N COD \ IV. [NDIANA. I 43 

"l schoolhouses, [8 frame and i brick; volumes in library, 1,200; value of 
schoolhi luses, $3< 1,1 ><>o. 

Patoka township, enrolled, 644; average attendance, 413; frame build- 
ings 15, brick 3; valuation of buildings, $21,885 

Union township, enrolled, 572; average attendance, 4_'X; number fra 
schoolhouses 8 and brick _> : valuation of buildings, $40,000; books in library. 

l.IOO. 

Wabash township, enrolled, _'i 1 : average attendance, 88; number frame 
schoolhouses, 8; valuation of buildings, $1 

Washington township, enrolled, 1.07; average attendance, 319; buildin 
11 frame and 1 brick: valuation of buildings, $18,200; books in library, 177. 

White Ri \ er t< rv\ nship, enr< died, 720; a 1 erage attendance, 534 : buildii 

ame and 1 brick; valuation oi buildings, $28,000. 

Cit) of Oakland, enrollment, 549; average attendance, 435; two brick 
school houses, valued al $30,000; books in library. [,oj 

Citj of Princeton, enrollment, [,440; average attendance, [,229; nun 
schoolhouses, one frame and four brick, with new buildings for [913 costi 
$75,000. 

Grand total of value of schoolhouses in county, $254, 

mi total of enrollment in county, 6,796; .1 eragi attendance, 5,1 

Total number schoolhouses in county. 117 frame and [8 brick. 

Total number books in libraries in schools of county, 5,797. 

Total number enrolled in the high schools of county, ;_'i ; number gradu- 
ates in county, 85. 

Number teacher- in county, toi males, white, colored four; of females, 
white 1 j;. of colored, seven — total, 237. 

Total amount paid to all teachers. $116,732.08 

Total amount on hand for all schools in Januan . [913, $3 
il amount on hand for all schools in country. - 

SCHOOL EXAMIN] PERINT1 

The predecessor of the present count-, superintendent ol 
this line from the earliesl date : 

First, the law of [824 provided for the election of three trustees in 1 
township, a part of whose duties it w d grant li 

\'o educational qualifications 

ond, the law of [831 pro\ ided ach 



144 GIBSON COUNTY, INDIANA. 

county, whose duty it was to look after the finances of the local school 
corporations. He served for a term of three years. 

Third, the law of 1833 provided for the election of three sub-trustees 
in each district who were to hold office one year. These persons examined 
applicants for schools. 

Fourth, the law of J837 authorized the circuit court to appoint annually 
three examiners whose duty it was 1" examine teachers. 

Fifth, the law of 1849 abolished the office of school commissioner of 
counties, and retained the three school examiners above mentioned, in each 
county, and substituted one trustee in the township for the three before 
employed. 

Sixth, the law of 1859 made the number of township trustees one in- 
stead of three. In [86] the law provided for one examiner with a term of 
three years for the three that had held office heretofore in each county. The 
appointive power was in the hands of the county commissioners. Examina- 
tions were now for first time made public. 

Seventh — In 1873 the law was changed again and the old system of 
commissioners, examiners and trustees was all wiped out and the office of 
county superintendent of schools was created and is still in operation. 

The following are the persons who have served since 1852: 

School Examiner — Jacob F. Bird, 1852: \Y. T. Stilwell. 

School Superintendent — W. T. Stilwell. 1873; Henry A. Yeager, Wood- 
fin D. Robins' in. Thos. VV. Cullen, Henry Neikamp, John T. Mallard. John F. 
Fulling. Wilbur F. Fisher. 

OAKLAND CITY COLLEGE. 

Oakland Institute was the original name of the present Oakland City Col- 
lege. The two-story brick school building was erected in the years 1868 and 
[869 by a number of citizens of Oakland, the building costing a sum of eight 
thousand dollars. The school was at first a subscription school, and the 
first superintendent was Prof. Lee Tomlin. The college did not succeed, 
however, at first, and was sold to the township in 1877. to be used as a public 
loo! building. Later new and larger building 1 erected and the capacity 
has been increased from year to year until now Oakland City College has 
every modern equipment for educational work. 

At present both high and college students attend. The courses are 
diversified and meet the requirements of all. The elementary, or preparatory 
courses, lead to the regular classical courses ol a college. A corps of twelve 



o 

- 
- 
- 

X 

r 
o 
-: 

-. 
Z 
r 
r 
- 
r. 
- 




GIBSON C01 \ I V. [NDIAN \- I 45 

professors abl) perform the duties of the school. The president is W. P. 
Dearing. About seventy students are enrolled 

VARIOl - 31 HOOLS VI PR] 

The schools of Princeton mai be classed as follows: The pre-seminary 
period. [812 to [829; the seminary period, iSjij to r86o; the private schools 
and academies; the Princeton Female High School; the graded school period, 
[860 to the present date. 

Between [807 and 1N14 there were a number of families settled in what 
is now Princeton, but it is doubtful whether any schools had been taught lie- 
fore [812. The first of which there seems to be am authentic account . 
one held in a vacated log cabin, with puncheon flooi and a fire-place extend- 
ing almost across the end of the building. The chimney was made of stii 
and clay. A space was hewn out between two logs extending along one s 
over which greased paper was fastened tdmit light to 1 1n- interior. The 
great door swung on n len hinges, in the middle, on 01 f the build- 

ing. This house stood on the south hank of the little creek near Mam street 
in the south part of town. The first teacher was Adle_\ Donald, who began 
teaching in 1812, before the city was laid out and before the second war with 
1 treat Britain had been fought. The second teacher was David Buck, in the 
same buildin 

In the winter of t8i 1 15 Rev, Hickman, Presbyterian, taughl a pri 
school in the second story of a log house built for a store-house by Willis ' 
< >-h' tii in 1814. h was the 1 1 r ~i store house erected in Princeton and st< 
on the corner west of the southwest part of tin- courthouse square, and about 
where the Farmer's Bank now stands. 

In [817 a log house was buill especially for school purposes, near the 
site of tin- present United Presbyterian church. This was used until is 
There the teachers were: Solomon D. King, John Coursely, Matthew Cun- 
ningham and William Chittenden. 

ir the next nine years the schools were taught in th< 
church, on the easl side of Prince streel between I and Water streets 

Mention lias been made of the teachers lure below. Bui little can 

learned of the schools of Princeton for the vears between 
(10) 



I46 GIBSON COUNTY, INDIANA. 

THE SEMINARY PERIOD. 

( )n December 31, 1818, an act was passed by the General Assembly of 
the state entitled. "An Act for the Encouragement of Religion and Learning." 
This act made provision for the establishment of a seminary of learning in 
each county seat, the proceeds for its maintenance to be obtained by the sale 
of school lands and the rental of the same. In August, 1829. the sixteenth 
section (school section) in each congressional township was sold for school 
purposes. The seminary was intended to be both a common school and a 
preparatory school for higher institutions of learning. All pupils of the 
county were entitled to attend and to have a part of their tuition paid from 
the school fund. 

At the meeting of the county commissioners' court in May, 1819, Alex- 
ander Devin, William Prince and Robert Evans were appointed trustees, "to 
be styled a Board of Trustees of the Princeton Academy." These men for 
some reason did not seem to have acted and in 1822 the county authorities 
appointed another set. consisting of Alexander Devin, Robert Milburn and 
Samuel Hall. The court at this time authorized County Agent Robert Stock- 
well to convey to the said trustees a title to lot No. 1. in the second survey of 
Princeton. This lot had been deeded to Gibson county for school purposes 
in 1818 by Robert Evans, who had entered the land in the east part of 
Princeton. 

Delay alter delay occurred, and finally a school building was erected on 
the above lot. A private subscription was raised to the amount of six hun- 
dred and eight dollars, composed of some cash, but mostly in merchandise, 
produce and labor. The building, a two-story brick, thirty by sixty feet, 
was not finished until [829, three years after provision bad been made for its 
erection. It should be stated that this building stood on the same ground 
where now stands the high school building. The lot then contained many 
fine old forest trees. 

The old seminary building was located near the middle of the western 
side of the block, facing what is now Seminary street, and was just in front 
of the present new high school building. It contained originally five un- 
plastered rooms, a ball, running east and west divided the north from the 
two south moms on the first floor. A stairway led from the hall to the two 
tipper rooms in the second story. The two smith rooms on the first floor were 
used as living room- by some of the teachers. The upper north room was 
the only one used for school purposes for many years. About [847, how- 



'.I!:-' IK COUN IV. INDIANA. 1(7 

ever, the school sessions were moved from the upper north room to the lower 
north room and the southwest lower room was also used as a -t ml\ room. 
There were two windows on each - it K- of the hallway facing west, in both the 
upper and lower rooms. There were also two upper and lower windows "ii 
the north and the easl side and no windows at all on the south side of the 
building. There was a fire-place about the middle of the north wall in the 
upper and lower rooms. The teacher's desk was on the south side of the 
room. The easl side of the room was a favorite place for the boys t" -it. A 
race track existed at that time from the northeast corner of the grounds for 
a quarter of a mile north and as races took place frequently the boys were 
very desirous of getting a choice seal where the) could watch the sport. 
There merous dimensions in the foundation of the build 

for the passage of air and hogs running loose in those days would occasionally 
retire i" the shad) retreat and, fighting for the coolesl spot, would lift up their 
voices to the discomforture of the master in the rooms ah >ve who was hearing 
the "a-b abs" or the "rule of three." Mrs. J. T. Duncan relate- that as late 
[868 the hogs would occasionally run into the hall way in an efforl to get 
"lit of the ram <>r the inclement weather. 

There were few school equipments in those earl) days. I lie pupils used 
-late- and slate pencil-, but nobody but the master used a lead pencil. .Metal 
pen- were an unknown quantity. The farm yard produced the material for 
the pen-. tb< mill being used for that purpose. The pupils were taught 

the art of making a pen by the master, who posed as a connoisseur in that art. 
Mr-. Ybungman, who in [91 | is in her eighty-sixth year, and who has -; 
her entire life here, relate- how the boys an used to catch the gei 

which ran at will in that day, and enter into a contest to see who could pick 
the most quills for pen purposes. 

The proverbial dunce-bl ninary, and 

many of the older residents of Princeton used to frequently occup) it. School 
desks were ii'>t known then, as the) an today. The puncheon benches had 
il" hack- 
sin Butler was chosen the first pi ml \mlr tant 
her. The salaries w 1 
produce which the) had. t" barter away as Ix V 
Hunter, a finely educated man, was to n r\ of two hundred and 
fift) "r three hundred dollars in • ided that ai 
real- ed I his sort 
tun . 1 le taught from 1 v 

In 1842 thi me tl< illai iter 



I48 GIBSON COUNTY, INDIANA. 

nr six dollars a year From the school fund was drawn one hundred dollars 
and the balance, two hundred dollars, was made up by subscription. In 
[846 the number enumerated of school age was two hundred and twenty- 
seven; of these, one hundred and thirteen were boys and one hundred and 
fourteen girls. Of the boys enumerated, only forty-two attended school. 
It is no wonder that in [848 there were thirty thousand voters in Indiana who 
could not read or write, if this condition obtained throughout the state. 

< )n December 12, [853, J. F. Bird became principal of the old seminary. 
In 1854 it was announced that those who cared to board themselves could do 
so. They were given looms in the seminary for this purpose. It was during 
the second session that year that the term "Princeton Graded School" was 
first used, and probably the term had newer been used 111 connection with an) 
school system prior to that date. 

Prior to 1854 girls were practically excluded from attending this school 
and great was the agitation as to educating boys and girls together. The 
community was evenly divided on this question, and for all those years the 
parents had to provide for the separate schooling of their daughters in Prince- 
ton. The Clarion of January id, 1847, waxed eloquent along this line and 
said: "Shall the more beautiful pillars of our intellectual and moral fabric 
be passed by as unworthy of notice? It is believed that a female qualified can 
impart female education to a better advantage than a male. There is a sweet- 
ness of temper, a comely female deportment, accompanying their instruction, 
peculiar to themselves. They need not Morse's telegraphic code to convey in- 
telligence, but the invisible attractive bond of tenderness and love, which they 
peculiarly seem to possess." 

Elijah Lilleston, in 1854. was the first instructor to teach the two sexes 
together in the old seminary. 

There were four hundred scholars attending school in Princeton in 1859 
when the town bad a population of 1,589. 

A recent school history, a part of an official report, gives the following 
as having taught from 1829 to i860 during this "seminary period." The 
recalling of these names will touch man) a tender chord in memory's realm, 
hence the list and dates are here appended: 1829, Calvin Butler, Andrew 
Erskin. assistant; [830-32, Calvin Butler; [832-33, Hiram A. Hunter; 1833- 
34, Hiram A. Hunter; 1834-35, Thomas Hornbrook; [835-36, William 
Rowe; (836-37, John J. McClerkin; 1837-39, Rev. H. H. Patten and wife; 
[830-42. William J. Bryden; 1842-43, William Stockwell; 1843-44, Doctor 
Smith; 1844-45, Mr. Collins, Dr. T. C. Patten, assistant; 1845-46, Wasson 
Stormont; 1846-47. Harvey Mnnford, Mr. Xesbit. assistant: 1N4--4N, John 



GIBSON COI \iv, I M'lANA. i )i| 

J. McClerkin, Hugh McKelvy, assistant; [848 19, Harvej Mnnford, B 
Archer, assistant; 1849-50, \\ . \. Wandell; [850-51, R. G. Elliott; [851-52, 
Dr. Nathaniel Allen; [852, Aeneas McPhee; [852-53, ( . P. Coykendall; 
[853-54, J. I'. Bird; [854, J. F. Bird, John Orr; [854, October 31, Elijah 
Lilleston; [855, Anderson I'. Ely, John Orr; [855, Juno. John Orr; 1856, 
.May. \llna Waldron, eleven weeks; [856-57, Vugust, J. !•'. Bird; [857-59, 
J. 1'. Bird; [859 (spring and summer terms), J. F. Bird, principal, Miss 
Margaret Fentress, primary department ; [86o, I >. Eckle) Hunter and graded 
sj stem 1 »f sch 

1>KI\ \ 11. S( HOOLS VND AC VDEM I 

The first private school in Princeton was taught by Rev. Hickman in 
[814-15. In [820 Rev. John Kill taught one and in [823 William Chin. 
den taught another at his own residence. ' tther private terms were taught 
bj Airs. Berbeck, [832; Mis. Emily Harrington, [835; Mrs. John Ewing, 
[836; John Wright, in the winter of [835-36; randy B. Montgomery, in the 
winter of [836-37. The second term taught 1>\ Montgomery was held in a 
log cabin near a spring and the scholars used to slake their thirst from this 
spring b) means ,,1" a gourd dipper. "No lickin', no Iarnin' " was his motto 
and he practiced what he preached almost daily. In [837 Mrs. Galloway had 
a private school for girls, as did also Miss Man Foster. In [842-3-4 the 
Misses Sue and Lou Walling taught private schools. In [850 John X. Evans 
taught and was very successful. Mis. McKelve) taught in [852 and [853. 

Other private institutions here were the short-lived "Misses and Young 

Ladies" school; the "Princeton Female Seminary"; the "Female College 

the "Princeton Female Institute," which were all attended, at various dates. 

account of the decision thai none hut boys should he allowed t" attend the 

• ild seminary, w huh ^ius on< toda) the idea that bo) S and men were counted 

iperior t" the gentler sex in th< >se good "Id days prior t<> [850. 

Ill E PRIN< ETON M MALE HIGH SCHOOL. 

Mill another institution must he treated m this connection the Female 
h School, a- first designated. This was organized in April. 1855, with 
Henry T. Morton as principal and Mis. M. \\ . Paxton and Mrs. M. M. Mor- 
ten as assistants. The school was held in a room under Temperance Hall, 
where now stands the < >dd Fellows building. Mr. Morton decided t.> erect a 
building and have it ready for school in the autumn of [855. lie tailed, hut 
in the spring following he had it completed. The building was at first known 



150 GIBSON COUNTY, INDIANA. 

as the "New Seminary building,'' but the style of the school itself was known 
as the "Girls High School Seminary." In September, 1856, both boys and 
girls were admitted, after which il was known as the "'.Male and Female Aca- 
demy." The building was a two-story, five-room structure, located on the 
east side of West street, between Emerson ami Chestnut. It was wanned by 
hot air and finely ventilated. It was seated with Boston school chairs and 
desks. The school was well supplied with maps, charts and globes, also chemi- 
cal apparatus and a cabinet for geological specimens and a good library. The 
whole was counted among the best equipments in Indiana. Hoard, washing, 
light and fuel were estimated to cost fifty dollars per term, while the tuition 
was twenty-five dollars additional. It had a normal department, doing tine 
work for those intending to become teachers. In 1856-57 the total attendance 
was one hundred and forty-three. In the fall of 1858 it changed hands, after 
which Messrs. Henderson & Brown were proprietors. A year later they sold 
to Brown X- Sturgis, who conducted it until i860, when, on account of too 
small attendance and, the Civil war cloud, its doors were closed. It was, 
however, opened again in 1862 by a few citizens who refused to donate to- 
ward the maintenance of the public school in the old seminary building. On 
August 31. 1863, the building was purchased by William Kurtz, acting for 
the school trustees of the city of Princeton. It thus became a part of the 
public school property of the city, and there the intermediate department of 
the public schools was kept until the completion of the new school building in 
January, 1 X— 1 , on the site of the old seminary. Seth Ward bought the acad- 
emy building in [870 and it was remodeled for residence purposes. Tins was 
the parting of the ways — the old private and subscriptions schools were 
abandoned forever and the new era of a sane, sensible and universal public 
school system was ushered in. 

THE GRADED SCHOOL PERIOD. 

These schools were organized under the newly formed laws of Indiana 
by 1 ). Eckley Hunter in i860. They were divided into primary, intermediate 
and academic departments. The schools were, for some time, kept in the old 
seminary building, in the Odd Fellows building and in the basement of the 
vlethodist church. The salaries of the teachers were as follows: Principal of 
academic department, fifty dollars; intermediate grades, thirty-two dollars; 
primary grades, twenty dollars. Miss Harmon received twelve dollars per 
month as an assistant. The first day's enrollment was two hundred and sixty, 
and reached three hundred and eleven by September 11, 1800. For the first 



GIfl NTY, INDIAN A. I 5 I 

ten years subscriptions had t" be raised in order to maintain these "pub 
schools, after which date the tax levy covered the expense. The first principal 
of these schools, Professor Hunter, was a son of Rev. Hiram Hunter, who 
had taught in the "Old Seminary" in 1832. He was a fine scholar and an 
excellent educator; served until [863. Pn Hunter was engaged in edu- 

cational work elsewhere and 11 1865 he returned i" I'm 

ton and again became superintendent of the schools here. \t this time the 
higher grades of the school were in the former Morton academy. In 1 
Professor Hunter again left Princeton to become principal of tin- preparatory 
department in the Indiana Mate University. In 1871 he was again recalled 
and became superintendent of the Princetoi Is, now all com- 

fortabl) provided for in the new school building on Seminary hill. 1 1 ere he 

lined until [874, and during this term of service the ere for the 

first time thoroughly ed under the graded system. The first graduates 

of the high school were in [872, under Professor Hunter's administration. 

The superintendents of the Princeton schools ha nee 

1N71. when the entirely fr< 1 began: 1) Eckle) Hunter, i N 

A. J. Snoke, [874-189x3; I-'. B. Dresslar, 1890-91 ; C. V Peak, 1891-1903; 
Harold Barnes, [91 I D. Webb, 1910 to thi the present 

superintendent, fames VV. St. >tt. 

PR] 

The lii'tieh annual report of tin ton pub Is, published in 

1910, gave many interesting historic facts, including the following iten 

Among the inn in schoi Is was the introduction of Thank 

offi the pupils, first established in the schools here in [903. All kinds 

useful articles and cash are annually brought by the pv ford 

it and donated al the I hank rl and cheer the 

fortunate children of the town. Mi itnient 1 

children was thus pi mall, they show 

a true spiril nl l'"r tl 

fell* 

Thi 
inti u Indiana at Prii 

made along this lim 

the hil- 

dren of ailments that 



152 GIBSON COUNTY, INDIANA. 

Sanitary drinking fountains were introduced here in 1908 and have 
worked out great good to the pupils and teachers. 

The playgrounds about Princeton school houses are excellent. The 
teachers and pupils spend their intermissions, in good weather, on these 
grounds, where swings, teeter-boards, bars and other appliances are found in 
large numbers. The lawns about the school grounds are kept in a tasty, 
beautiful condition since 1903, when this subject was first taken up and de- 
veloped. Lectures were given and the proceeds went toward improving the 
grounds. The saying. "A thing of beauty is a joy for ever." applies to these 
modern school grounds. 

The new electric clock, purchased and installed by the hoard in 1910, 
at the Lowell school building, has proven a splendid improvement. This 
clock controls the ringing of the bells for all recitations and intermissions in 
the high school as well as at some other departments. Fire alarms are also 
sounded by this clock. Fire drills are in constant use in the schools now. 

Ten years ago — 1903 — there was a corps of thirty-three teachers. In 
1910 it had increased to forty-one. The average salary of all teachers per 
month, grades and high schools combined, in 1903 was fifty-six dollars; of 
grades separately it was almost forty-six dollars; of high school separately, 
sixty-six dollars and fifty cents. In 1910 it had increased to seventy-two 
dollars and ninety-eight cents and sixty-eight dollars and seventy-nine cents 
respectively. 

In 1903 the Lincoln high school for colored children was provided. The 
building is a two-room addition to the Race Street colored school building. 
In 19 10 the total enrollment' in the colored school was one hundred and eighty, 
but it rapidly increased and a two-story frame building was leased. There 
are now six colored teachers. 

HIGH SCHOOL ENROLLMENT SINCE 1872. 

The subjoined shows the enrollment in the Princeton high school, by 
years, also the number of graduates in total: 1872, 34; 1873, 48; 1874, 40; 
1875. 54: l8 7°> 49; ^TT' 5 6; l8 7 8 > 43: 1879, 45: 1880, 47; 1881, 46; 1882, 
42; 1883, 38; 1884. 34; r88S, 49; 1886, 49: 1887, 50; 1888, 54: 1889, - ?y , 
1890, 64; 1891, 65; 1892, 68; 1893. 56; 1894, 60; 1895, 88; 1896. 80; 1897, 
94; 1898, 94: 1899, 128; 1900, 139; 1901, 158: 1902, 181; 1903, 149; 1904, 
185; 1905, 202; 1906, 1S0; 1907, 148; 1908, 159; 1909, 187; 1910. '197; 
1911, 180; 1912, 221; 1913, 234; 1914. 265. The number of graduates of 
the high school since 1872, including the class of 1914, is as follows: Boys, 



GIU N IV. I > 1 > 1 \\.\. 153 

239; girls, 361; total, 610. Since the establishment of the colored high 
school there have been 15 graduates From thai department. 

1 he schools of [913 are : The high school, Lowell school, !r\ ing school, 

Franklin school, Lincoln school (colored), Prince Streel scl 1 (colored). 

The new high school building, completed in [913, is among the finest in 
this section of the state, h cosl sixty thousand dollars, asid< from the 
iunds, which have been owned many years by the town. The old sem- 
inar) once occupied these grounds, as has before been noted. 



CHAPTER XI. 



I IMRCHES OF GIBSON COUNTY. 



The pioneers in Gibson county were made up largely of a God-fearing 
band. This county was no exception to most -counties in southern Indiana, 
in that the church and school house went hand in hand with the general 
settlement and more perfect development of the country. Many of the 
earl)- records of theses pioneer organizations have long since passed from 
view and have crumbled with the ever-collecting dusts of time. The best 
that can he accomplished in way of setting forth the religious societies, 
their origin and location, is to pick from such writings as have been culled 
over and used by previous historians, so far as the first history of such 
churches are concerned. 

METHODISM IN GIBSON Col' NTV. 

The first Methodist Episcopal society in this county was that formed 
in 1811 at Patoka, with Rev. Benjamin Edge as minister. The conference 
minutes show that Rev. John Scripps was stationed at that point in 1815. 
About that date a congregation was perfected at what is now Princeton. 
The first preaching services were held in a grove near town, and at times, 
when weather prevented out-of-door meeting-, the homes of settlers were 
the meeting places. It was not until 1825 that the Methodists at Patoka 
enjoyed the privilege of holding services in a school house. They had no 
church building until 1852. Among the earh "circuit riders" were Revs 
John Scripps, Thomas King. Thomas Davis, Charles Slocum, John VVallao 
Daniel McHenry, Elias Stone, James L. Thompson, Kbenezer T. Webster, 
William Medford, Richard Hargrove, Enoch Woods and Elijah Whitten. 
d'he first Methodist church was erected in Princeton in 1838. Judge Elisha 
flmbree was one of the subscribers and an ardent worker in the church up 
to the dale of his death. In relating the history of this church the good 
judge once remarked: "We have been driven from private house- to the 
jail and from there to the court house, and I propose now that we build a 
house of our own." Methodism from an early date prospered and today 
its churches are scattered everywhere over the thickly settled county. The 



GIBSON COl \ I Y. I VIM VNA. 1 55 

church at Princeton was organized about 1815, and the first church \\a- 
erected in [838. The second was a brick edifice <>n ilu- site of the present 
building, which was erected in 1896; the second church was burned in 1893. 
["he 1 >rt-». nt church stands mi the corner of Emerson and West streets. The 
present value of this church is twenty-five thousand dollars; the value placed 
mi the 1 four thousand dollars, ilu- membership o( tin- society 

111 September, 1913, was five hundred an line. The present pastor is 

Rev. I ' Edwards, who i- now in his fifth year a and 1- an able, 

enthusiastic Methodi 

lu Gibson county there arc ii<>\v - i^i.i th Methodist 

churches: Princeton, with a membership in the First church ol ive 1 
dred and fifty-nine; Gibson Street church, in Princeton; Port Branch lias a 
membership of about three hundred; Francisco, a membership of one hun- 
dred and fifty-two; < lakland City, a membership of three hundred and forty- 
thn nsville has a membership hundred and ninety-thi 

Patoka, a membership of one hundred and eight; others are at Hazelton, 
two near Patoka (same charge); at Wheeling, Mt. Olivet, : 
Cunningham Chapel, Blythe Chapel, Forsythe, near Oakland City, and 
Antioch, on the Owensville circu 

The Methodist church at Patoka was or; in [851, and now has a 

membership of one hundred and eight. It- church buili I in 

[851 of one thousand five hundred dollar sent pastur, 

Rev. E. F. Shake, came in >d work in the church to 

v\ Incli th mi him. 

The Methodist church at H now has a membership of one hun- 

dred and 1 me men 1 »ther S 

In W; led Shiloh church. 

in 181 5. and ha 

the 

Tl 
at t! 

I'll. tiitl in the early 

in 
built in 



I56 GIBSON COUNTY, INDIANA. 

THE PRESBYTERIAN CHURCHES OF THE COUNTY. 

The Salem presbytery held its first session at Princeton, May 9, 1828, 
and at that session the first Presbyterian church was organized. This was 
the first perfected society of this denomination, but there had been another 
partly perfected previous to this date. The first ruling elders elected and 
ordained were William French and James R. E. Goodlet. The first stated 
supply was Calvin E. Butler, who, in the spring of 1832. was succeeded by 
Rev. W. VV. Martin. Among other pastors recalled, and whose names 
should never be forgotten, was Rev. John D. Paxton, of rare attainments 
and many beautiful traits of character. In i860 he accepted the presidency 
of Highland University, Kansas: served two years and resigned to return 
to Princeton, Indiana, and served as pastor until his death, aged about eighty- 
five years. The church here had, by that date, attained considerable strength 
and has ever since been one of the county's best church societies. 

On January 12, 1910, was consummated a union between the Broad- 
way Presbyterian church and the Presbyterian church of Princeton. The 
Broadway Presbyterian church was formerly the Cumberland Presbyterian 
church until the union between the Presbyterian church in the United 
States of America and the Cumberland Presbyterian. Ernest G. Hildner 
was the first and present pastor of the new church, the First Presbyterian. 

The present church building was dedicated on April 20, 1804, and cost 
eighteen thousand dollars. The present membership is about three hun- 
dred. The church is complete in every respect, and contains a pipe organ of 
the latest model, installed by the Welborn family in memory of Dr. W. P. 
Welborn. 

The list of pastors is as follows: Cabin Butler, 1828; William W. 
Martin, 1832-5: H. H. Patten, 1S35-8: John M. McCord, 1838-43; Robert 
Lillie, 1844; R. V. Dodge, 1844-45; A. T. Hendricks; Henry W. Biggs, 
1853; J. D. Paxton. D. D„ 1S55; H. B. Scott, i860; John H. Aughey, 
1863; J. D. Paxton, 1864; Martin Van Buren Van Arsdale, 1867-8; John 
Montgomery. 1868; Benjamin Mills. [879-80; John Stuart, 1880-6; W. D. 
Ward, 1887-1)2; Alexander J. Kerr, 1802-5; J. H. Cone, 1896-9; Douglas 
P. Putnam, D. D., 1899-1904; F. H. Shedd, 1905-8; Ernest G. Hildner. 
D. D., 1908-1910. At this time the union of the two churches was formed 
and Rev. Hildner became the first pastor. 

The Presbyterian church in Oakland City was organized in 1850. the 
Cumberland Presbyterian in 1850, and the Presbyterian in 1X72. The two 



GIBSON COUNTY, [NDIANA 157 

were united in the year 1905, and at present have a membership of one lnui- 
> lri-.l and fifty-six. The church was built in [906, and cost about fifteen 
thousand dollars, including an excellent pipe organ 

FAIRVIEW. CHURCH. 

The cause leading up to the organization of Fairview church was a 
Sabbath school organized at the Page school house in [890 by Rev. J. 
Beveridge I ee and Gil. R. Stormont, of the United Presbyterian church of 
nceton. Mr. Stormont, as superintendent, with the assistance of Mr. 
and Mr- 1' 1 Morton, Mr. and Mrs. E. I.. Townsend, \V. II. Stormont 
and other workers, carried on this ral months. When the 

Page school house was burned, the school was transferred to the Lawrence 
school house and continued with \mos Legier a- superintendent. Another 
p towards the organization of the church was a protracted meeting con- 
ducted by Rev. W. D. I. audi-, pastor of the Cumberland P erian church 
in Princeton 

March 21, [897, the church was organized bj Rev. \V. I'. Landis 
at the Lawrence school house with sixty-three charter members. The elder- 
elected at that time were John C. (dark and I I Townsend, and John Boal, 
\. \. Sturges and Samuel Binkle) as trustees, ft was decided that the name 
of the church should be the Fairview Cumberland Presbyterian church. 

Tn August of the same year the work of building a regular house of 
worship was begun on a trad of land donated b\ Mrs. fosiah E Carith 
This vas completed and dedicated November 21, i8< 7 v ith Rev. A. If. 

Kelso officiating, Rev. I. E. Jenkins assisting. The first pastor called was 
Rev. 1 1 W. May, who began his work in the following May. 

Since that time the following pastors have served the congregation: 
Rev. John Welch, Rev. William Carhart, k." G F. McMican, Rev. J 
Ashburn, Rev. T. II. Kiracafe and Rev. J. G. II" 

On the consummation ol the union between the Cumberland Presby- 
111 church and the Presbyterian church this congregation became identi- 
fied with the Presbyterian church. \t a later time some of the meml 
withdrew from the church, thereby reducing the membership. But, b\ the 

help of the Lord, and | rk "i a faithful few, the g I work contini 

\l>out the year 1904 the manse enterprise was started which resulted in 
the building of a five-room hou itedj on a four-acre lot adjoining the 

church building. The little church ha- been without r during a 1 

of its history, l>ut the Sunday school from which it had it- beginning has 



I58 GIBSON COUNTY, INDIANA. 

continued. The present superintendent has served the school since 1898, 
with the exception of six months. 

There is also a Presbyterian church at Fort Branch, but the proper 
parties failed to furnish data in time for insertion in this chapter. 

THE CUMBERLAND PRESBYTERIAN CHURCHES. 

The first church of this branch of Presbyterianism in Gibson county 
was organized by Rev. William Barnett in August, 1S17. at the place of 
worship of the Methodists at Shiloh, Washington township. By many it 
is contended that this was the first Cumberland Presbyterian church formed 
in Indiana. Trouble arose between the Methodists and this sect over camp 
meeting ground dates, and the Cumberland Presbyterians withdrew and 
made grounds of their own in the township, a half mile distant, and this was 
known as Mt. Zion. Rev. Alexander Downey served this people six years. 
In September, 1839, the society divided and Mt. Pleasant was the name of 
the new church, with Elder Aaron Lewis in charge.. Later this church was 
dissolved and many of the members returned to Mt. /ion. The Bethel 
church was formed in 1832 and Rev. William Lynn was pastor until 184.1, 
and was succeeded by Rev. T. P. McCormick. Members living in and near 
Owensville became members of Bethel church in [876, and later Bethel 
erected a church at Owensville. Mt. Moriah church was organized at the 
residence of David Robb, near Fort Branch, in 1828. The first minister in 
charge was Rev. Downey. In 1839 a church was built near Mr. Robb's. 
This was used until the erection of a church at the town of Fort Branch in 
1866. The Princeton church was the outgrowth of the Patoka church. The 
Princeton congregation was organized by Rev. Hiram A. Hunter in Decem- 
ber. 1 N.i-'. Subsequently, the Patoka congregation was dissolved and added 
to Princeton church. Rev. J. E. Jenkins began his labors at Princeton in 
1857 and for more than thirty years was the faithful pastor at Princeton. 
During the last half of the nineteenth century, beyond any question, Mr. 
Jenkins was the best known minister in Gibson county. The Patoka con- 
gregation was again separated from Princeton in 1X70. In 1850, near 
Oakland City, a congregation was formed and called Montgomery, but, 
owing to internal strife, it never succeeded well. At Princeton, for many 
vears, the church was much stronger than those outside in this county. In 
Januarv, 10 10. the union of the regular Presbyterians and the Broadway or 
1 umberland Presbyterian churches was effected. The old Cumberland 
church was si, Id to the Christian denomination societv. 



GIBSON COl \ l Y. rNDIANA I 5' I 

The Cumberland Presbyterian church of Owensville has a membership 
one hundred. Ii was organized about sixty years ago. [*he Rev. I*. A. 
Devore took charge of the church on < Ictober 3, 1913. He also preaches to 
the Bethel and Antioch congregations, oi fort] members each. 

UNITED PRESin rERIANS V\l> Rl FORMED PRESB^ rERIANS. 

During the first decade of the lasl century Samuel Hogue came from 
Tennessee and Thomas Archer from South Carolina and both were devout 
men and wanted religious services in their settlements. In [820 Mr. Hogue 
went "ii horseback to his old home in Tennessee to seek permission >>i his 
old church, the Seceders, to preach the Gospel. He was denied the right on 
account of Irs not having been educated for the ministry. ' >n his return to 
Indiana he chanced to fall in with a m sionar) of the Reformed Presby- 
terian church. His name was John Kell. of mar Knoxville, rennessee 
Hogue begged the young minister to visit the little settlement at Princeton, 
not yet named a- such, however. It was in the ripe harvest time in [810 
that Kell arrived, and from his coming came the birth of the congregation 
-ii well known in the county today. He continued to visit Princeton for six 
years and then settled here, but still continued his circuit work. The iciety 
at Princeton used the old Hardshell Baptist church until [820, when the) 
erected a frame building on Prince street between Broadwa) and Water 
streets. This served until [836. when a brick church was erected at the 
corner of what is now Broadway and Pi ets, the site oi the < hristian 

church. 

From the start the congregation had been of the Reformed Presby- 
111 ereed. descendants of the old ' ovenanters \l> >ut [832 tl 

arose trouble over the rpiesti 1 the syn rbidding members 

taking pari in governmental affairs, generally construed to include jury 
service and voting at the polls. This did not meet with the approval of the 
Princeton church and it was lefl to a committee, and a majorit) of such 
committee voted in favor of members being permitted to serve as jurors, 
["his nti-faction, headed by Roberl Stormont, 

withdrew and form. n, which came to be 

whi'e the majority bod) was ki the "New Side." 

The Old Side ins formed an 1 in 

h on what i treet, am : hn 

It as pastor. I' Iso a physician and had a • ible 

practice, in addition i,. his pastoral labors. ' ■ from [relanl and 



l6o GIBSON COUNTY, INDIANA. 

through his influence a large number of his former parishioners emigrated 
to this county and identified themselves with his church here. Dr. Stott was 
a man of fine intellectual attainments and was an able preacher. Owing to 
some internal dissensions his congregation was divided in the later sixties, 
and the dissenting members withdrew and erected another church on east 
Broadway. Dr. Stott, however, continued preaching at the old church to 
the members who adhered to his side in the separation until the infirmities of 
age compelled him to give up the work. After this the congregation was 
disbanded and the building sold to L. H. Wheeler, who converted it into a 
business house. This house, in its remodeled form, still stands in the old 
location on east State street, and is used as a grocery store. 

The Old Side organization, located on east Broadway, has been fairly 
prosperous in all the year- since the separation, and has had the ministration 
of some able men as pastors, among them Rev. D. C. Martin. Rev. .Mathews 
and others. Their present pastor is Rev. M. S. McMillan. They have re- 
cently remodeled their old church and now have one of the neatest and most 
conveniently arranged churches in the town. The present membership is 
sixty-five. 

While all this was going on. in 1832, was formed the first Sunday 
school in Gibson county, the same having been organized by James Hogue 
and William Orr for the study of the Bible. The first United Presbyterian 
church in Princeton was founded in 1N5N. It was during that year that the 
union of the Associate Reformed and Associate or Seceder churches was 
brought about under the title of United Presbyterian church. 

In 1870 a union was effected between the Reformed Presbyterian ( Xew 
Side) and the United Presbyterian churches, by which the name of the 
f inner was dropped and the united body became known as the United Pres- 
byterian church. A remnant of the Reformed Presbyterians who could not 
see their way clear to change their church allegiance continued with the old 
organization and built another church on the corner of Gibson and Water 
streets. Here they continued to worship for several years, with Rev. Robert 
Blair as their pastor. Finally this organization was abandoned, the pastor 
departed to other fields and the members found a place in their former 
church home. 

When the Reformed Presbyterians had grown beyond the capacity of 
their brick church, located on what is now the corner of Prince and Broad- 
way, they secured a lot and erected a building thereon, on what is now the 
corner of State and Prince streets. This building was completed in 1858 





'-::}% 
















■ M ■'- 

■■■-••■.-.'■' 
HE '.. 

■■.■■>■: ':/■: 

£8368®$! 

3g 1 . ■■:• '■ 


^n> 
















BBBHB 








|t 


















f*. 




















k V.-,J 
















^\V, . ^H 
























. 






'■* 






■" ; - ■ ^ -■ ■■' ■ 
LMifl I 1 'iHrl ' I Tf li ' 

■:.■■-'■■■■','-■"■. 
--•-'•'.-■• ■,-■■;■■; 

HH B ? '■■' ■ . • ■-, 











REV. GILBERT McMASTER, D. D., 
Pastor Reformed Presbyterian Church, Princeton, 1840-1846. 



BSON COUN IT. INDIANA. Hn 

and it has been the church home of this denomination, and the denomination 
thai has succeeded 1>\ virtue of the union, ever since ["his old church was 
wrecked by the tornado that passed through Princeton in [876, and has 
Keen subjected to various attempts to improve the architecture by remodel- 
ing the structure, with more or less success, tn 1897, largely through the 
beneficence of Mrs. \nn Eliza Woods Hudelson, a life-time member of the 
church, the old church was practically rebuilt and il is now thoroughly 
nn idem. 

Those who have served as pastors of this church since its organization 
are the following: Rev. John Kell, 1820 to [838; Rev. Gilbert McMaster, 
l>. D., [f [846; Rev. John McMaster, D. D., [846 to the time of Ins 

death in [874; Rev. W. II. McMaster, [874 to [881 : Rev. John A. Gordon, 
I). I). [883 to [888; Rev. .1 Beveridge Lee. [889 to [891; Rev. V M. 

Campbell, D. D., 1892 to Rev. W. H. Patterson, I). D., 1901 to 

l'li": Rev. Morris Watson, I). !>.. mu. the present pastor. 

A PROL'D WAR RECORD. 

In [910 the United Presbyterian church celebrated it- one hundredth 
anniversary. At thai tune a number of historical addresses were given, and 
"tie pertaining t" the attitude of this church on questions that agitated the 
public prior t" the Civil war. and the record of that congregation in that 
war. will he of interest in this connection. This is a record that represents 
the spirit "t' patriotism and loyaltj that prevailed at that time and i- a part 
of the history of < ribsi m counl 1 Quoting in im the address referred 1 

"In tlii— congregation, it there was any lack "t' loyalty "r patriotism 
inherited from the fathers tin's lack was more than supplied by the precept 
and example of the pastor. No man of his time was more loyal t" his 
country, "r more devoted t" his country's h"ti"r and integrity than was 
Ku. John McMaster. lie was fearless in denouncing slavery 

as an evil, which he. with others, believed t" he a menace to the national 
life * * * 

"In this community, as in many "titers, there was a divided sentiment 
as t" the right of slavery, and there were many who advocated the right of 
this institution. Indeed, it required courage and boldness for one i" take a 
stand in opposition t" slavery, and there were ti"t many who cared t" take 
that unpopular stand. 

" Vmong those who had the courage of their convictions "ti that qi 
(11) 



l62 GIBSON COUNTY, INDIANA. 

tion were the Covenanters, most of whom had left their homes in the South 
hecause of slavery's blighting influence. The man who was in the forefront 
and the leader of those in opposition was the pastor. Rev. John McMaster. 

"With prophetic eye. Doctor McMaster could see the impending judg- 
ment that must come upon a nation hecause of the evil of slavery, and most 
earnestly did he pray in his pulpit that threatened war might be averted. In 
public addresses he pleaded for righteousness and peace, and hesitated not 
to denounce the wrong. Because of his boldness he was bitterly denounced 
]>v the apologists for slavery, and on one occasion he and Dr. Andrew Lewis, 
another prominent citizen of Princeton, of like sentiment, were assaulted 
with rotten eggs while making what was called an abolition speech in Owens- 
ville, this county. 

"While Doctor McMaster prayed earnestly that the war might be 
averted, yet, when war came, by the rebellious acts of those who would 
perpetuate slavery, he himself became a man for war. He gave his voice 
and strong influence on the side of those who would suppress rebellion by 
force id* arms, lie encouraged the young men of his congregation, ami of 
the community, to enlist, and expressed a willingness himself to enlist. 

"How vividly we call to mind (says the writer of this sketch) that day 
when the news came that Fort Sumter had been bred upon, and later when 
the lightning flashed the news of surrender and the lowering of the flag. 
Idle people of this community, as all over the nation, were thrilled as by an 
electric shock. How well do I remember, as a boy, that first Sabbath after 
the fall of Sumter. We all came to church as usual, but there was more 
than usual in the impressive solemnity of the congregation that day. Doctor 
McMaster began his service as he always did, without variation. This in- 
troduction to the service always seemed solemn and impressive, but. it ap- 
peared to me, was more than usually impressive that day, when he said 
'bet us, with reverence, compose our minds for the public worship of the 
Lord our God. Let us unite in seeking I lis presence and blessing by prayer.' 
Was there ever greater need to 'compose ourselves'? Was there ever greater 
need to seek 'His presence and blessing?' 

"I do not remember his text on that occasion. I only remember that 
it was appropriate and that his sermon was deeply impressive, and how 
earnestlv he prayed for his country, now trembling in the balance. 

"In the midst of the afternoon service that day a sound of the rife and 
drum was heard. The sound came from the courthouse yard, where a com- 
pany of men were being enlisted in response to Governor Morton's first call 
for volunteers. Will anyone who heard that fife and drum ever forget its 



GIBSON COl \ l Y. lMU.w \ [63 

thrilling effect? It was an unusual sound for Princeton, on a quiet Sabbath 
afternoon. It brought i" thai worshiping congregation a realization of the 
serious condition threatening '>;ir nation- a foretaste ol the traged) ol war 
thai was to follow. 1" me, as a country boy, the sound of martial music 
was somewhat "i a novelty at that time, Imt I had abundant opportunity to 
become familiar with it a short time afterward. 

"The first man in Gibson county to enlist for the defense of his coun- 
try's flag was from thi regation, Dr. Samuel E. Munford. He en- 
listed as a private in a companj that u;i- afterward known as Company II. 
Seventeenth Indiana Volunteers. < >n the organization of the regimenl he 
was made assistant surgeon and later promoted to surgeon, and later medical 
director of the Wilder Brigade." 

In an historical address bj Doctor McMaster, on the occasion of his 
twenty-fifth anniversan as pastor of the congregation, in June, [871, he 
gave an account of the war record of his congregation, of which the follow- 

- an extract : 

"At the call of their country sixty-four persons in full communion, or 
baptized members belonging to this congregation, volunteered in her armies 
and fought, and some of them died, for their country. In some instances 
two, three and four went from one family. In one case, a lather and his 
tw> sons enlisted. Two sons of the pastor went out, one of them in his 
seventeenth year. These, with many others, re-enlisted as veterans and 
were with Sherman on his march to the sea 

"There were no skulkers, n<> deserters among them. There were none 
who, being armed, turned back in the daj of battle, ^s the) rallied around 
and fought for the 'Red, White and Blue flag' "t their country, they proved 
themselves the true successors of those who fought and died so braveh un 
the blue flag of the Covenanters in the hills and valleys of Scotland. 

"i If the -i\t\ four who went forth, at the close of their sen ice. two held 
the position "t' medical director, two were captains, two were quarterm 
ters, two were tlr->i lieutenants, two second lieutenants, one hospital steward, 
one sergeant major, three sergeants, eight corporals and the remainder 
served their countn as privates and .all served it well. Of the number en- 
listed, sixteen died in tl ne-fourth of the whole nnmher. Eight 
died ..n tin- battle field or of wounds d in battle. 'The others died "t" 
various diseases contracted in the ser 

"Tlus, included some >>i our best men. nun whose Christian 

character v nd also some "i the mosl promising vouths 

the congi 



l6-| GIBSON COUNTY, INDIANA. 

In the annak of this congregation during the century of its existence, 
there is no mure creditable record than its war history. Of those who gave 
up their lives for their country, it may be said no better soldiers ever girded 
on the armor, no truer patriots ever lived. 

BAPTIST CHURCHES. 

Different branches of this denomination have long existed in Gibson 
county. The Regular Baptists date back to 1808, when Rev. Stephen 
Strickland came from Kentucky to Indiana, settling near Princeton. He 
was the pioneer Baptist preacher of this county and. like John the Baptist, 
went ahead and paved the way for those who should come after him in 
preaching baptism. 

The Patoka Baptist church was organized about 1810 by Rev. William 
Hanks. Pigeon church, near Princeton, was organized in 181 1, by Rev. 
Strickland, but later was dissolved. The next congregation was the Salem 
church, at Owensville, constituted by Elders William Hanks and James 
Mootry. A church was soon built near Owensville, and in 1840 the society 
was moved into Owensville, where a frame church was erected, Providence 
church, eleven miles southeast of Princeton, was formed in 1822. Xew 
Salem church was organized twelve miles north of Princeton in 1838, Other 
Baptist churches, here and there over the county, were soon organized. 

What is known as the General Baptist church had its origin in Gibson 
county in 1829, when Elder Jacob Speer came to Princeton from Tennessee. 
He organized the church of Baptists in 1830. Later, in 1831, this united 
with the Liberty Association of General Baptists, and Elder Speer con- 
tinued to preach to his chosen flock. The other flourishing Baptist churches 
in the county, of this faction, were Formed at Owensville, Columbia, Fort 
Branch, Hazelton. Xew Liberty, at Francisco, and one at Oakland City. 

The First General Baptist church was organized in Oakland in 1853. 
The church building was built in 1894, and cost fifteen thousand dollars. 
This amount includes the recent additions, among them the pipe organ, 
which cost one thousand two hundred dollars. There are one hundred and 
sixty-four members at present, and Rev. Frank S. Hartley has charge. 

There is a Primitive Baptist church at Fort Branch ; also a General 
church. 

The Primitive Baptist church of Owensville was organized in the early 
sixties, and has had a steady growth since. There are at present one hun- 
dred and thirty members. Rev. Clayton has charge of the church. The 
present church building was erected in 1906, and cost ten thousand dollars. 



GIBSON COUNTY, tNDIAN \. [65 

The Missionarj Baptists have an organization and a fine church at 
Princeton, and up to two years ago had a society al Oakland City, but this 
has been dissolved. \t Princeton the church was formed in [894 and now 
lias a membership of one hundred and thirty. The church propertj is 
valued at eighl thousand dollars. ["he church building is located on the 
corner of Prince and Water streets and was dedicated in [902 

TIIK FRANCISCO CHURI II OF GENERAL BAPT] 

This was first organized at < >ld Bethesda church, two and one-half 
miles northwest • •!' Francisco, Indiana. Bethesda, "no of tin- oldest churches 
in the eastern part of the county, was built in the year [834. The timbers 
for the frame work were split ami hew 11 from the trees of the forest, ami 

the work was done by the labor of the surrounding neighborh 1. After 

completion, the house was used 1>\ the different church organizations for 
preaching services, ami the Methodist Episcopal conj on of Iran. 

\.is fu-st located there, and later removed to about [856 or 1857. 

The United Brethren also had an organization there during the sixties 
but did not seem t<> have much success and went down. 

The house was still used for preaching and school until about Decem- 
ber, [875, when it was destroyed by tire. 

In May, 1N74. after a series of meetings held at the old church by R 
T. B. McCormick, Rev. Jacob Scammahorn and Rev. F. M. Kerr, there 
was organized by Revs. Jacob Speer and F. M. Kerr a church, under the 
name of New Liberty church of General liaptists. The following nan 
pets, .us were enrolled as charter members: William J. Blythe, Eliza E. 
the, William Lowe, Marj V Lowe, James II [.owe, Rosa I... we. Daniel 
Kenerly. Artimesa Kenerly, and Joseph Douglass, none ..1' whom are m.w 
living except Rosa . I a »we 1 "^ < ■' 

Upon the completion of the organization, Rev. Kerr was eh. .sen pasl 
lames II. 1.. .we as clerk, and the} Still held until the tali 

ami added a number "i" members t<> the church. 

About November, [875, through the kindness of the Methodists at 
Frai Indiana, the Baptist organization was rem. wed t.« their church, 

where meetings were held t'..r the next seven years, when they built a house 
of their own. 

•mmencing in January, 1876, there was held a protracted meetinf 
Francisco, winch lasted several weeks and had quite an in< n mem- 



l66 GIBSON COUNTY, INDIANA. 

bership. And during that time and afterwards there was a number of ac- 
cessions from the Rev. Sands' followers of Old Providence Regular Baptist 
church, which increased the roll of members up to sixty to that time. 

Rev. Kerr, having served as pastor to September, 1876, was succeeded 
by Elder Jacob Speer for two years. There being a vacancy in the office of 
clerk, by the death of James II. Lowe, September 28, 1876, John Marvel was 
chosen and served two years. 

In September, 1878, Rev. William Clark was chosen pastor, X. S. 
Meade, clerk, and in 1879 Elder ('lark was 're-elected, and W. J. Blythe, 
clerk'. 

In October, [879, having effected a consolidation with Pleasant Hill 
church (at Mitchell school house), a committee was appointed to raise 
funds and make the necessary arrangements for building a house, viz: J. 
S. Meade, Martin Meade. Nathaniel Martin. J. W. Blythe and S. R. Davis, 
and to lie co-workers, with the following trustees: J. S. Meade. J. M. Gentry, 
N. Martin and Martin Meade, who. through their untiring efforts and the 
assistance of many friends in and out of the church, their work was crowned 
with success. There was dedicated a good substantial building on Main 
street in Francisco, on the 2d clay of January, r8Xj, Rev. William Clark 
being pastor, and assisted by Rev. T. M. Strain, who managed the finance-, 
and W. 1'. Hall, who preached the dedicatory sermon. 

Meetings were then continued for some time, a number were added to 
the church, making the church roll one hundred and thirty-two members, 
the highest, except Owensville, reported to the association held at Francisco 
that year. 

In September, 1895, ^- ev - William (lark, having served as pastor for 
seven vears and wishing to retire from the charge, Rev. William Chesser 
was chosen, ami served for the next three years, and S. R. Davis was ejected 
as clerk. During the pastorate of Rev. Chesser, the question came came up 
as to organ, or no organ, which caused some warm discussions. The ques- 
tion was finally decided in favor of having an organ in the church, but this 
caused a loss of several members. 

From the expiration of the pastorate of Rev. Chesser. in 1888, the 
church had as pastors Elders T. M. Strain, Rev. T. A. H. Laslie, F. M. Kerr, 
G. W. Hogan, William Clark and Josephus Fee. each one vear; J. R. Ed- 
wards, A. D. Baker and W. F. Willis, each two years: Raymond Selby, J. 
P. Turner, each one vear; F J. Turner, three years; J. W. Johnson, one year; 
L. W. Spann, A. D. Baker, two years. From October. 1887, the following 
served as clerks: X. Martin, two vears; S. R. Davis, six years; J. M. 



GIBSON COUNTY, I ND] \\'\ I <<J 

McGee, T M. Wells, each two years; Ethel Lanphar, two years; F. X. 
Westfall, seven years; Alice Stormont, two years; I lossie Goldman, three 
years 

On April 29, [909, the church was badly wrecked b\ storm, the south 
end of the roof and cupola, and the east side of the roof being blown off, 
and a shorl time thereafter the north end was badly wrecki 
Bui in the nexl seven months the church was completeh remodeled, inside 
and out, an additional room, twenty by thirty feet was added, a roomy base- 
ment and hot air furnace placed under the building, at an approximate cost 
of three thousand dollars. It was re-dedicated on the 29th da) >>i Novem- 
ber, i<)>< >. the pastor, I. W. Spann, being assisted b) Rev. J. R. Edwards, 
managing the finances, and Rev. W. P. Decring, who preached the dedicatory 
sermi in. 

The church was organized a- \"e\\ Liberty church of General Baptists, 
having meetings once a month, but about the year i<)<>5 me was 

changed to Francisco church oi and have services twice 

a month and pay the pastor two hundred and fifty dollars per year. 

There is a Ladies' \i<l Society 1 ristian Endeavor, and a Sabbath 
school with an enrollment of one hundred scholars and an average attend- 
ance of seventv, Ralph Goldman, superintendent, and Man Drysdale, 
secretary. 

There is an enrollment of ninety members at this time in the church. 
There are nine members whose combined ag x hundred and seventy- 

eight years, viz: I. S. Meade, eighty-six; Martin Meade, eighty; Mahala 
Meade, seventy-seven; Elvira Gentry, seventy-seven; Louisa Martin. 
seventy-three; S. R. Davis, seventy-three; Fannie McKedy, seventy-two; 
William Virden, seventy; F. X. Westfall, seventy. The deacons are J. S 
Meade, I. H Loveless, F. s . Reavis, M. I) King, and I M. Stormonl 
Rev. W. T. Winstead is the present and Ralph Goldman is clerk. 

VI B VPTISTS OF nil PIONl ER l> \Y. 

B> W M I 

I lie firsl recollection that I havi ng a religious congregation, and 

of hearing a sermon preached, was about 1842, when Uncle Jacob Speer 
id in the door of one of mj father's I"l: cabins and preached i" the people 
assembled before him in the yard, Ihe same log cabin now stands in my 
yard— a well preserved old log building. There were but few preachers in 
this section at that time and but few sermons were preached. 

In the early fifties the General Baptists organized Keg • reek church at 



l68 GIBSON COUNTY, INDIANA. 

an old schoolhouse one mile south of where Oakland City now stands, with 
ten members. Uncle Jacob Speer and William Reavis preached alternately to 
that little church, monthly, for several years. In 1856 the church was re- 
organized and moved into the little village where my father had built a good, 
substantial church building. This was occupied until the brick building 
which is now used took the place of it, and since the reorganization it has 
been known as the Oakland City General Baptist church. 

Smne may wish to know why the little stream for which the church 
was named was called Keg creek. The creek was named from an incident 
that happened to a corps of surveyors who in 1S04 were surveying the land 
ceded by the Pian-Ka-Shaw Indians that year to the United States. This 
surveying corps had three pack-horses on which they transported their cook- 
ing outfit, together with their surveying outfit and two twenty-gallon kegs 
of Kentucky whiskey. The} - had a camp near the little creek, and one day 
a large hunting part} - of Indians came into the camp. The surveyors felt 
that it would be dangerous for the Indians to find the whiskey, so they buried 
the two kegs in different places in the creek near the camp; and after the 
Indians were gone they could find but one keg, as the parties who buried the 
whiskey were probably drunk while they were hiding the kegs from the 
Indians. Thus they named the creek Keg creek. One of these keg's was 
found fort}- years afterward. This was the same surveying corps that, a 
few weeks later, was working near Foote's pond, where young Ziba Cook 
was drowned. 

The General Baptist denomination has had and does still have many 
true and noble men upholding the Cross, and adding greatly to the Chris- 
tian cause; but none of them have done more than Uncle Jacob Speer. who 
stood on Zion's wall for more than fifty years proclaiming the glad tidings 
of the Saviour's love to all mankind. Today, whilst your large assembly is 
holding their meeting in your beautiful church building, Uncle |acob Speer 
is making music in Paradise, surrounded, by a mighty host of those who 
under his preaching were adopted into the Christian family. 

There is but little question that the Primitive Baptists were the first to 
hold religious services in what is now Gibson county. The)- had some able 
ministers, among win mi were Reverends John Tegue. Stephen Strickland. 
Alexander Devin, William Hanks, James Mootree, James Strickland, Joel 
Hume, and many others who occupied the field at that early date in southern 
i ndiana. 

Up on Blue River these Baptists at one of their churches had a great 
revival and seventy-five joined the church and there was that number to be 



GIBSON COl \ i Y. I MDIANA. 169 

baptized at the May meeting The church was located not far from the 

Ohi" river. These people decided thai they would hold their baptismal 

eting a1 a famous place for such purpose on thai river. The health of 

the residenl minister was nol good, so the congregation had him secure the 

services of Elder B , who was a strong, sturdy man and had a vo 

in singing that could be heard a mile away, lie had a record of having 
baptized two thousand people during his ministry. 

The day for the great meeting was at hand and ten thousand people 
were assembled on the beautiful shore of the LaBelle riser. The weather 

warm. The candidates for baptism were all in a body near a point 
where the immersion was t" take place. The men were all in their -hirt 
sleeves. There were three or four newspaper reporters from Louisville and 
■ ■tiler nearb) cities who were then present and ready to get reports of the 
wonderful gathering The elder who was to do the work was on hands and 
ready to commence, wading out into tin- water, singing a favorite old hymn 
used on such 1 iccasions : 

"i 1 mie, I [1 ily Spirit, I >ove divine. 
On these baptismal waters sh 
And teach our hearts, in highest -train 
To praise the Lamb tor sinners slain." 

Locating the point that was . . t" the right depth for the work in hand, 
he stuek his staff down to indicate where to bring the candidates, then com- 
menced the work, baptizing one a minute, singing the resl of the old hymn 
and others suited to th led the candidates in and returned 

them to tin- shore. \s I said before, the crowd was immense, the weather 
was warm, and man} were 111 their slurt sleeves. 

\ -mall young man whom John 1 >. 1 'rent ice had sent there to r< | >■ irt for 
the Louisville Journal, in his zeal to make a note of everything that was 
done, had gotten down to the edge of the water and amongst the can lidates, 
who were s, , compact that he could not readih get out of the jam. I'u- 
fortunateh for him. he had an impediment in his speech. In other words, 
he was one of the most stuttering unfortunates. \t times it would take him 
two or three minutes to saj the most simple word. The minister was lead- 
ing the candidates h he went, baptizing and returning them to the 
shore. 

Finally he came to where the young reporter -t I. took him b) the arm 

and started into the water. singing a- loud as he could. The young reporter 



I70 GIBSON COTXTY. INDIANA. 

tried to pull back. Then the preacher turned and said : Never fear, young 
man. the water is not deep," and kept leading him on. The young man was 
all the time saying — 

"Yi-yi-yi-yi-yi — " 

The preacher told him not to lie scared, that the bottom was good and 
there was nut the least danger. Getting in to where the water was deep 
the preacher had no difficulty in lea. ling the resisting youth to the proper 
place, when he said the ceremony and put him under, head and ears! When 
the stuttering fellow's face and head struck the water it seemed to have 
loosed his tongue. Spurting the water out of his mouth, he said: "Sir, I 
am a-a-a-a r-r-r-reporter and a-a-a-a M-M-Meth-Meth-Methodist !" The 
preacher replied: "That's all right, young man. you are not hurt in the 
least: but you are thoroughly baptized all the same." 

CHRISTIAN CHURCH. 

The Christian church was organized in Princeton, April 7. 1889, at a 
meeting of the members held in what was then known as Old Temperance 
hall on West State street. Temperance hall stood where the Agar building 
now stand:- anil at the time of the organization of the church was occupied 
in part by a printing office run by James McCormick, who was then editing 
me Prohibition Era. 

Idie late .Mrs. Laura J Baker and Mrs. E. D. McCurdv were instru- 
mental in bringing about the organization. Mrs. McCurdy wrote the state 
department of the church with reference to perfecting an organization here 
and. in response to her letter. Rev. J. T. Ewing, then state evangelist, was 
sent to conduct a meeting, which resulted in sixtv-four members uniting and 
these became the charter members of the church. 

Meetings were held in Temperance hall for a short time until Jessup's 
hall, corner Main and Broadway, was secured as a meeting place. Rev. J. 
T. Purvis was called as pastor of the congregation and in October, i88q. a 
deal was consummated whereby the congregation purchased from the Re- 
formed Presbyterian people the church building in East Water street. This 
building was occupied by the congregation until December. [910, when they 
purchased the church property at Broadway and Prince streets, formerly 
owned by the Cumberland Presbyterians. The price paid for the building 
was six thousand dollars. The building is modern, is equipped with a pipe 
organ that cost two thousand dollars at time of installation, ami has a heat- 
ing plant. The present membership numbers two hundred and seventy-five 



GIBSON COUNTY, INDIANA. 1 ~ I 

and Rev. Rome < ■- Jones, formerly of Anderson, Indiana, is the present 
past ir. 

["here are four other congregations of the Christian church in the 
county, at Owensville, Oakland City, Old Union, near Poseyville, and 
Nauvoo church, south of Princeton. The approximate membership of each 
is: Owensville, one hundred and fifty-seven; Old Union, four hundred; 
Nauvoo, fifty, and Oakland City, sixty members. The congregation at 
Oakland City was organized five years prior to the Princeton congregation. 
The Christian church of Owensville v mized about [850, and 

today has a membership of one hundred and fifty-seven. J. A. Persinger 
k charge of the church on June 14. 1913. In [905 the church building 
was erected at a cost of three thousand dollars. 

( VTHOJ.IC CHURCH] 

The oldest congregal tin ' atholic denomination in Gibson county 

is that of St. 'anil's. Father 1 ickart, a Redemptorist. from ! Him >i>. is the 
first priest known to have visited this con m He celebrated holy n 

in the house of F. X. VVeis in (836 lie continued to visit during [837. 
Rev. \ Deydier, "i" Evansville, next ministered to the congregation until 
[840. From the 9th of April, 184.0, until May. 1842, Rev. Roman Wein- 
zoepfel, of Evansville, had charge. From < >ctob< until the latter part 

1845 the mission was in charge of Rev. Conrad Schniederjans, who lived 
5t. Wcndel. During his time a log church, thirty-five by twenty-five feet, 
was erected, but the bish ip refused to h< >ld services therein until he had a deed 
to the property. This was effected on the return of Father Weinzoepfel in 
April, [846, and the chapel was blessed "it July 25, 1847. Bishop Bazin 
authorized the pastor to rent the seats in the chapel, but the action so in- 

ed the people thai the) broke into the church on the night of January 23, 
[848, and destroyed the pev I ither Weinzoepfel was brought into court 

breaking the Sabbath, and the bishop interdicted the church. < )n July 25, 
1850, the ordinan harmony was restored in St. I 11 

In the month of March. 1 s 5 5 . Rev. F. W. !' i was appointed 

resident priest. < >n July 25, 1855, the corner stone of the new church was 
laid. 'I'lu- church, of Roman architecture, was completed that year, also a 
commodious parsonage Father Pepersack remained until June, 18 
Rev. M Ficker came next, and he died July t8, • ["he Benedictine 

thers had charge until September, and then Rev. J. B I Seepe became 
paster until the spring "i 1875 He was removed "it account of p »>r health, 



1 7-' GIBSON COUNTY, INDIANA. 

and the Benedictine Fathers again took charge. On July 12. 1875. Rev. J. 
J. Merckl took charge, and in his time ridded a sacristy, repaired the parson- 
age, and otherwise improved the property, lie also built the church at 
Hauhstadt. 

CATHOLIC CHURCH AT HAUBSTADT. 

Prior to 1866 the Catholics at Hauhstadt belonged to the St. James 
congregation. In this year a frame school house was built at Hauhstadt. in 
1867 a frame dwelling was built, and ten years later the church, under 
direction of Father Merckl. Rev. George Widerin was the rir.st resident 
priest, coming on July 12. 1877. The next pastor was Rev. Bernard Ewers. 
The church cost twelve thousand dollars, and there is a beautiful frame par- 
sonage adjoining. A large building for a parochial school is also kept ( >ther 
pastors have been Revs. Ewers, Zoglmann and Setsr. 

St. Bernard's church is situated about ten miles southeast of Princeton. 
The members were formerly a part of the St. James congregation. The 
church is a mission, and is attended either from Princeton or Hauhstadt. 

St. Joseph's church at Princeton was built in the year 1866 by Rev. 
F. W. Pepersack. Up to this time Princeton Catholics were members of St. 
lames. Until his death on July 18, 1868, Rev. M. Ficker visited St. Joseph's. 
Rev. Henry Hug attended until 1868, and Rev. J. B. H. Seepe paid visits 
until the spring of 1875. Rev. J. J. Merckl also came until the next vear. 
In 1876 Princeton received its first resident pastor. Rev. Alexander Koesters. 
On his arrival a parsonage was built. Rev. < reorge Widerin. pastor of Hauh- 
stadt, had charge from July 15, 1877. to February, 1878. Rev. B. 11. Kin- 
triep, the second resident priest, was here from March 3rd to November }. 
1878. Father Widerin attended until 1879, when Rev. A. Oster came from 
Vincennes until February. 1880. Rev. John Joseph Macke also attended. 
Rev. ('destine Schwarz was the third resident priest, from December 7, 1880, 
until June, 1882. The next pastor wa^ Rev. Augustine Peckskamp, who vvas 
appointed August 10, 1882. Then followed Revs. Peter Hommers, E. P. 
Ledvina, William A. Jochum and present pastor. Rev. Nicholas Hassel, who 
came in June. 10 12. 

The present membership of this congregation is two hundred ami 
seventy-five. There is a fine parochial school in conjunction with this church. 
It now has an enrollment of about one hundred pupils. 



\ i v. i\i>i w v i 73 



llll I VANG] I !» \i 



The following is from the pen of Rev. R. Mueller fol the John on town- 
ship Evangelical church), written in [884: 

Tlii- congregation was formed during the latter part of the decade <>i" 
[840, or tin- beginn [850, ami from a small beginning tin- growth has 

been gradual ami healthy. The firsl pastor was Rev. Weil, of the Lutheran 
synod; In- served them aboul one year. Alter he left he established a Luth- 
eran church at Hahnville, to which aboul one-third "i the congregation 
followed him; the remainder comprised about thirty members. A new 
preacher, Rev. Vdams, was called ami served aboul one year; his successor 
was Rev. Schrenk, who lived in Darmstadt and preached here once in I 
weeks. Tin's was prior to 1856, from which year all meetings and records 
were kept in the regular record book. In [856 Rev. Buhlei rules 

and by-laws for the congregation, which were accepted. The old church 
could not accommodate the meetings and during the year [865 a new edifice 
was IniiJt and Rev. Gulbue was called into this pastoral charge. The cong 

ion joined the Evangelical Union of the West. The presenl name of this 
ecclesiastical body is the Evangelical Synod of North America. From 1- 
to \|iril. iSS|. Rex. J. G Rausch administered t" this congregation. The 
congregation is the possessor of a new. commodious church and pipe organ. 
The old church is kepi it repair and used as a parochial school, ft is 

located in Johnson township. Since 1854 there have been baptized in this 
church four hundred and two children ami two hundred and seven confirmed. 

'IT' ;elical St. Peter's church was or the earh fif 

Bein^ the only church h the German immigrants who settled 

in and aboul P were included within its fold members of 

all the different branches of the Lutheran church, and as a result the church 
was known as Lutheran, now as Reformed Lutheran. ain as 

mgelical Lutheran, etc. Since 1879 the church lias been Evangelical. 
For many years it remained an independent congregation. During the 
pastorate of the Rev. William F. Mehl, the congregation was received into 
the membership of tin- Indiana district conference "f thi elical synod 

of America. 

In [858 the church bought "f the Firsl Reformed Presbyterian church 
the lot new occupied by the Christian church at the corner "i" Broadway and 
Prince street-, and in 1873 1 ed this property l""r the propertj of the 

Cumberland Presbyterian church on cast Emerson street. The brick building 



174 GIBSON COUNTY, INDIANA. 

was subsequently torn down and the present church house and parsonage 
erected upon the site. 

Owing to the tact that Princeton is not a German town the congregation 
has never been a large and powerful one. In the past it has sought only 
to give a church home to German immigrants, and the only language used in 
the church service until recent years was ( lerman. Both English and German 
have been used in the church services since the pastorate of the Rev. Mr. 
Mehl. 

The present membership numbers fifty-six. The Sunday school has an 
enrollment of thirty-five. The congregation has no regular pastor at present. 
The board of elders are William Toelle, president; H. H. Xiekamp, vice- 
president; Philip Leaser, secretary, and John Portenheimer, treasurer. 

THE COLORED CHURCHES OF PRINCETON. 

\bout Civil-war time the colored people of the Methodist Episcopal 
faith organized a church at Princeton and are still a separate society but under 
the control of the regular .Methodist church. Afterwards what is known as 
the African Methodist Episcopal church was formed here and both are 
doiiiL' good work among their people, and have each a church building and 
prospering. The former is on Seminary street, while the other is on Prince 
street. 

The colored Baptist church at Princeton, styled Olive Branch Baptist 
church, was organized right after the close of the Civil war. At first they 
worshipped in an old shed, until such time in 1871 as they came to be able to 
build their present frame church, at No. 712 Broadway, which is ample for 
the congregation. The present membership is one hundred and eighty, about 
four-fifths of whom reside in the city and the remainder in the surrounding 
country. The present pastor. Rev. W. E. Clark, came from Kentucky about 
one year ago. succeeding Rev. Wadded, who died here. 

This denomination also has a strong church at Oakland City, this 
count}'. 

0THEK SOCIETIES. 

At Princeton are also the societies of Advents, ( Christian Science. Episco- 
pal, Salvation Army, etc., each doing religious work in their own peculiar 
manner. The United Brethren church at < lakland City has a membership 
of one hundred and fifty, and is now in charge of Rev. T. W. Settle. The 



GIBSON i mi \ rY, [NDIANA. I 75 

church \\;in built about 1883, of frame, and cost one thousand five hundred 
dollars. The societ\ \\a^ formed in the early fifties. There is also a colored 
church known as the Church of * hrist, al Patoka, with a membership of 
thirty-five; Hester Grear is present pastor. 



CHAPTER XII. 



MEDICAL MEN OF THE COUNTY. 



It is to be regretted that no more comprehensive data can be secured for 
this chapter. We are indebted to that respected old veteran, Dr. VV. W. 
Blair, of Princeton, who is still in active practice, in his eighty-seventh year, 
for the following sketch of the earlier physicians of Gibson county: 

"When I began the practice of medicine in Princeton, May 15, 1850, it 
would have been an easy matter to have gathered up the history of every 
man who had practiced medicine from 1805 on up to that date, but we had 
little thought then that a time would come when the history of those early 
days would be so much sought after; the work immediately before us occu- 
pied our every effort. Many of the 'first settlers' were then still living. 

"In a brief paper furnished Dr. G. W. H. Kemper, of Muncie, Indiana, 
for his 'Medical History of Indiana.' the most elaborate work of the kind 
ever published in the state, I supplied the following items: 

"Fifty or sixty years ago it would have been easier to have gathered 
information regarding the history of Gibson county than at the present day, 
for at that time there were quite a number of the first settlers of this county 
who could have given the names of all who had been practitioners in this 
vicinity, from about the year 1805. 

"Among the pioneers there were two women who were perhaps as well 
known in the obstetric line as any two persons in the county. Mrs. John 
Secerns, who with her husband settled on Patoka river three miles northeast 
of Princeton, when this country was mostly inhabited by Indians and wild 
animals, was the first practicing mid-wife. I have often talked with her 
daughter, Mrs. William Leathers, — who was horn, lived and died on the 
same spot of ground, — about her mother's early experience. 

"There were neither bridges nor ferries on the Patoka river and when 
'Old Granny Severns.' as she was familiarly known, had a call to the other 
side of the river, should it be too deep to 'ford' — she would mount her horse 
and 'swim' the river, no matter what the temperature or condition of the 
stream. She continued her work up to the time of her death, which oc- 
curred, perhaps, between the years 1835 and 1840. 



GIBSl IN < "i \ l V. 1 NDIANA. I ~~ 

"The other mid-wife was Mrs. John Kell, who settled here in [816. 
Just how soon she began her w<>rk in thai line I am unable to say, but it was 
al a vtr} early day and she continued f<>r a number of years after 1 cami 
Princeton indeed until the feebleness of age laid her aside. She died in 
either 1S57 or [858. 

"For a few years after white people began to settle in this locality, there 
is no record accessible of any physician having located here, Vincennes, 
twenty-seven miles north, being the nearest point where medical assistance 
Id be obtained. 

"Doctors 1 ase; 1 harles I ullerton and Robert Stockwell were among 
the earliest practitioners to locate in this county. A few years later Doctors 
Maddox and Kill were added t>> the number, but there is no available history 
a- t" tlie exact time 'if their local 

"Dr. William Curl, a graduate of the University of Virginia, was the 
tir-t medical graduate t" practice in < 1ihs1.11 county, havin rl in I'm 

inn in (832. lie died in March, iN_i_\ from pneumonia, at the age of thirty- 
nine years. 

"Dr. J. J. Pennington 1 [805-1897) was practicing here in 1850. hut 
how long before that time I am unable t" say. lie remained until about 
1865. 

"Dr. George B. Graff, educated in Baltimore, .settled here in [843 and 
removed to Omaha, Nebraska, about [862 He died about 1895. 

"Dr. James ( '. Patten graduated at Evansville and began practice in this 
county in iNj<>. lie died in [903. ile served as assistant surgeon of the 
Fifty-eighth Indiana Regimenf, dm rman's march to the sea. The 

physicians living in Gibson county when I came here were as follows: | Doc- 
tor Blair came here in [850 and has been in constant practice either here 
or as a surgeon of tin Union army, in the Fifty-eighth Indiana Regiment, 
ever since, he now being eight irs of age. Ed.] 

"In Princeton Drs. II. II. Patten; I. J. Pennington, born [805, died 
1897; W. W. Walling, George B Graff and myself. 

"In Owensville Drs. Fullerton and Co 

"In Patoka— Dr. I C Patten, there being then no other towns in the 
county. 

"In the countrj Then were, Dr Day, a short distance east of where 
For) Branch is now located, and Dr McCullough, mar where Oakland « it \ 

"All >>i our work was done on horseback and the trips long. We went 

(1 



1/8 GIBSON COUNTY, INDIANA. 

west to the Wabash, nearly to Owensville, two miles south of Fort Branch. 
two or three miles beyond Providence church, the same distance beyond 
Somerville, and Oakland City; three or four miles beyond Kirk's Mill, all 
around Union, Buena Vista and Hazelton, and all over the 'neck' in Knox 
county. Daily visits were then never thought of; once or twice a week was 
the limit. But still people recovered from attacks of sickness, then as now. 
"No greater advancement has been made in any line in the past sixty 
years than in the preparation of medicines. Then each physician bought 
the crude drugs and made his own preparations, many of them not very 
palatable. Today the pharmacist does all that work and in a much more 
scientific manner, for which the patient has great reason for thankfulness. 
Many remedies entirely unknown sixty years ago are today in constant use." 

OTHER PHYSICIANS. 

From Tartt's "History of Gibson County." published in 1884, the fol- 
lowing account of physicians may be seen on page 162: 

In Princeton — Dr. Thomas Polk, who located in Princeton in December. 
18 14, was the first resident physician. Dr. Joel Casey came here in 1816, 
remaining until his death in 1828. He was a good doctor and a gentleman 
and a greatly esteemed man in the community. Dr. Fullerton settled here 
about 1825, and resided and practiced in this county until his death in the 
late seventies or early eighties. Dr. Walters, a physician and merchant, and 
Dr. Thompson came in a little later. Drs. Robert Stockwell. John Kell. 
Bruce, Pennington. Curl. Walling. H. H. Patten, J. C. Patten, A. Lewis and 
Dr. Graff were all prominent physicians 111 early days. The physicians prac- 
ticing in Princeton in 1884 were W. W. Blair. V. T. West, W. G. Kidd, 
Samuel E. Munford, J. S. Shoptaugh, D. G. Powell, L. H. Staples, J. A. 
Malone, A. R. Burton, F. II. Maxan, John Ward. Frank Blair. George C. 
Kendall, W. H. Maghee and O. L. Hudson. 

At Owensville — In 1884 the physicians named were T. J. Montgomery, 
D. M. Shoemaker and J. M. Williams. 

At Egg Harbor— Dr. J. X. Neely. 

In Barton Township — The first physician to locate was Dr. George 
Austin, who came in the fall of 1823. Before that time there were no physi- 
cians nearer than Princeton. The pioneers were a hardy set of people and 
only called a physician when some bad ailment attacked them. 

At Oakland City — In 1884 the physicians were Drs. W. J. McGowan, 



JON COl \ i V. 1 NDIANA. I J\ I 

W. I.. Leister, I'. M. Brown, Gi Mason, W. II. Stewart. J. \Y. Mc- 

G '\van. 

At Fori Brand the early doctors were Dr. William R. Genung in 

1859: he was followed bj Drs. Hamilton and John W. Runcie. 

At Haubstadl In [884 the physicians were Drs. George A. Thomas, 
Peter < tttman and John Ballard. 

At Warrenton The early physicians were Dr. V. II. Marchland, Sr., 
Dr. William I.. Littlepage, both of whom died before [884. In 1SN4 the 
doctors were G. C. Littlepage and Victor II. Marchland. 

1 oming down to [897, it is found thai these comprised nearly a full 
list of physicians in Gibson county: l\. S. Anderson, \. R. Burton, Hiram 
Biirt.>n. John Ballard, W. VV. Blair, Frank lllair. Thomas M. Brown, R. A. 
Benson, George B. Beresford, John I. Clark. \V. B. Duncan, < Iscar F. Davis, 
George T. Dorsey, E. E. Eads, XV. XV. French, I. F. Gudgel, W. R. Genung, 
Oliver L. Hudson, John F. Howard, Royal <!. Higgin, W. G. Hopkins, John 
M. Ireland. William G. Kidd, G. C. Kendle. F. II. Maxani. T. J. Mont- 
gomery, Victor Marchland, Roberl S. Mason. G. C. Mason. J. W. McGowan, 
W. J. McGowan, John S. Moreman, Claude M. McDonald. Frank Nelson, 
Calvin L. Null, James C. Patten, [som II. Inch. J. W. Runcie, D. 1'. Reavis, 
H. R. Rickets. L, B. Richie, J. I.. Robinson, George Strickland, J. W. Shelton, 
S. II. Shoptaugh, William II. Stewart, Dr. Tarr. George \ Thomas. James 
Thomas, J. M. Williams. W. T. Williamson. A. C. W Iruff, J. P. Ward. 

PHYSICIANS AT ow EN5\ ll.l.K. 

Through the thoughtfulness of the medical society, the following list ..i 
about every doctor who ha- ever practiced at the town of Owensville from 
pioneer days to this date has been furnished: Drs. Smith. 1825; Fullert 
1830; Lesher. 1845; Neely, 1852; Mitchell. 1854; Cloud, [818; T. J. Mont- 
gomery, 1869; Chandler, 1858; Neely, Jr., iS;i>: Thomas Sharp. Henry 
Wilson. B. I Cook, Moore. [863; Shoemaker. [876; Smith. Jr., [opkins, 

Richardson, dates unknown: Moore, 1892; Defoe, [862: <'. [win, 1878: 

West, mike te; Williams, [880; Clark, 1889; P. B. Moore, 1897; 

Thomas, 1898; I R. Montgomery, 1904; Emerson, 1898; Roe & Spencer, 
dates unknown: Beresford. (892; Wiltshire. 1903; Woodruff, [880: Malone, 
ii ; Goodwin, [901 : Graff, 1851; Downey. [853; Wilborn, 1860; Fuller. 
1854; Li m '■ han 



l8o GIBSON COUNTY. INDIANA. 



MEDICAL SOCIETIES. 



Prior to the Civil war period then.- was a medical society organized by 
the physicians of Gibson county, but it went down after a few years. No 
further attempt at maintaining such a society was had until some years after 
the war. when the present society was organized. The following is a tran- 
script from the records of the present medical society of this county: 

"Princeton, May i. 1874 — Pursuant to a call, a number of physicians 
of Gibson county met at the office of Dr. S. E. Munford for the purpose of 
organizing a county medical society. 

"On motion. Dr. W. V Downey was called to the chair and Dr. X. 11. 
Church chosen secretary. On motion, a committee of four was appointed to 
report on a constitution, and the chair appointed Dr. S. E. Munford. Dr. 
West. Dr. W. G. Kidd and Dr. I'. II. Curtner, which reported a constitution. 
which was adopted after having been read section by section, and the com- 
mittee discharged. 

"( >n motion, a committee was appointed to report on nomination of 
officers for the ensuing year and the following gentlemen were nominated 
and unanimously elected: For president. Dr. \Y. A. Downey; secretary. Dr. 
S. H. Shoptaugh ; treasurer. Dr. W. G. Kidd; censors. Drs. Robert Mm, .re. 
J. \Y. Runcie and P.. J. Howard. 

"< >n motion, a committee was appointed to prepare the constitution for 
recording and that the same be recorded at the recorder's office of Gibson 
county, and paid out of funds of the society. 

"On motion. Doctors Runcie and Patten were requested to prepare 
papers to he read at the next monthly meeting. ( )n motion of Doctor Mun- 
ford, Doctor Patten was elected as an honorary member of the society. 

"< >n motion of Dr. W. W. Blair, a committee of three was appointed 
to prepare the by-laws, consisting of Doctors Blair, Moore and Church. 

"On motion the society adjourned to meet at Doctor Munford's office 
May jo, 1874. 

( Signed 1 "S. H. Shoptaugh, Secretary." 

The society has been kept up ever since and holds its regular monthly 
meetings. The present officers are: W. G. Hopkins, president: A. E. Ziliak. 
secretary and treasurer. Through the courtesy of the secretary, the author 



GIBSON COUN IV. INDIAN \. 



INI 



is enabled to give the following list of practicing physicians of Gibson county 
at this date i 1914) : 



Alexander, II. II.. Princeton. 
Anderson, R. S . I 'rinceton. 
\rtlmr. I [amilti m M., I [azelton. 
Aril ur, Martin I... I 'atoka. 
\rthur. S\ Ivester Irw in, Patoka. 
Ashby, W. B., ( lakland I !ity. 
Bass, Herschell Logan, Fort Branch. 
Beresford, George B., Owensville. 
Blair, W. W . Princeton. 
Bn p\vn, \. I '.. I 'rinceti >n. 
Brazell >n, < ). T., Princeti in. 
Burton, Mbert R., Princeton. 
1 amp, G I . ' 'Aland ( "ity. 
( ritch i'M. Ji ihn S., Princeti m. 
( 'ushman, Robert A.. I 'rinceton. 
I lavis. William T., Patoka. 

■si m. R W.. < (wensville. 
French. W. \V., Fori Branch. 
Genung. William R., Fori Branch. 
I >ied January 1 . 1914. 
I'\ in. I.. I ).. .Mt. 1 
1 farn B., I tazell 
I rollingsv 1 irth, M. I '.. Princeti m. 

illiam 1 I.. Fi irl Branch. 
O I ... I 'rinceton. 
Kendle, ' I. < '.., Princi 
I eister. William I... Oakland Citv. 



I indlej . ( . M.. I 'rinceton. 
1 ,1 ickhart, T. I... < (wensville. 
Loudin, Frnesl I >., I tazelton. 
Marchland, Victor II.. I [aubstadt. 
Martin, Francis M.. 1 x>yd. 
Mason, 1 ■. 1 '., 1 Oakland ( 'ity. 
Masi m, Ri herl S., ' lakland ( u\ . 
Maxam, F. 1 1.. Princeti ir 
Mc( lowan, ( .. \\ '.. 1 lakland City. 
Miller, Charles Archer, Princeton. 
Montgomery, James R., Owensville. 
Montgomery, James R., Owensville. 
Morris, I. I... Kings. 

is, William I'.. Fori Branch. 
N'ull, Calvin Lawrence, Somerville. 
I 'armenter, ' leorge 1 1.. Johnsi m. 
Petiean, J. \\ '.. i [aubstadt. 
Rhodes, ^mos II.. I 'rino 
Reavis, I). P., Buckskin. 
Smith. William II.. ( )akland 1 
Squier, \\ I !ullen, Pfinceton. 
Strickland. Karl Scott, Owensville. 
1 iidle; II.. I' rani 
hn W.. I, .yd. 
. John M., < (wensville. 
' lois I... Princeton. 



( FIAPTER XIII. 

THE BENCH AND THE BAR. 
By Lucius C. Embre£. 

Indiana, during the early years of her statehood, was fortunate indeed 
in the selection of her judges. Almost an unbroken wilderness, her people 
immigrants and pioneers, toiling and struggling inwards their conquest of the 
forest, living in daily apprehension of attack and murder, the young state 
selected for her supreme bench, and in most instances to preside over her 
inferior courts, men of courage and of marked learning and ability; and to 
this day, it is a source of pride to every intelligent citizen that the decisions 
of her supreme court, made during the first one-third of a century of her 
history as a state, are recognized among all nglish-speaking peoples as 
sound, learned and just. 

The eight volumes of Blackford's Reports, containing the cases heard 
and determined between 1S16 and [848, command the highest respect wher- 
ever the common law of England is the basis of adjudication, and these vol- 
umes set forth the opinions of the earliest Indiana judges. 

The first judges of the supreme court of Indiana were James Scott, John 
Johnson and Jesse L. Holman, men of sound learning and marked ability. 
Judge Johnson was a resident of Vincennes and his practice as a lawyer had 
brought him not infrequently into the courts of Gibson county. He was the 
owner of land in this county, near Patoka, and was well known to our people 
in his dav. He was a learned lawyer and an upright judge and the people of 
Gibson county have been honored by his presence and service among them. 

Judge Johnson died in 181 7 and was succeeded in office by Isaac Black- 
ford. Prior to his service on the supreme bench. Judge Blackford resided at 
Vincennes and served as judge of the southwestern circuit. He was the first 
judge of the Gibson circuit court, and it is needless to add that the office of 
judge of that court has never had a more worthy incumbent. His long service 
as a judge of the supreme court, his learning, his soundness of judgment, 
have made for him a name that is world wide. 

The successor of Judge Blackford as judge of the circuit was David 



GIBSON COUNTY, I MM \N V. (83 

Raymow if Vincennes, whose term of service extended from March, 

iNi'i. until August of the same year. 

The next cii Ige was William Prince, a resident of Gibson county, 

and a man so much respected and honored bj his fellow citizens that when, 
in pursuance of law, a seal of justice was established in the county, it was 
christened "Princeton" in his honor. 

Judge Prince was a man of signal ability, but his service on the bench 
was short, extending only from August, [816, until March, [817. He hold a 
number of importanl posts and. at the time of his death, was the representa- 
tive of this district in Congress. 

David Hart, a resident of Gibson county, and a man of integrity and 
ability, succeeded fudge Prince in the office of judge of the circuit, and he 
in turn was succeeded by Richard Daniel, also a resident of this county. 
Judge Daniel came to the bench in 1819, and served a little less than one 
year. He was highly honored by his fellow citizens and in his time played 
many part-, to the advantage of his neighbors and to hi- own renown and 
credit. 

In 1820 lame- R. E. Goodletl became the judge of the circuit, and he 
continued in office until 1832. It appears that Indue Goodlett was a politi- 
cian of considerable ability, and tradition has it that he maintained himself in 

'.nice longer than was entirely g 1 for the community. He is said to h; 

been a man "t strong and violent passions, vindictive and combative. Hi- 
defeat was brought about by the lawyer- of the circuit towards whom he had 
and disagreeable in his conduct upon the bench. It is related of 
Jud Uett that in 1834 his ill-will towards hi- successor in office was 

reme that during the progress of proceedings in courl at Mt. Vernon he 
mad. n Judge Hall while on the bench. 

Samuel Hall, th sor of Judge Goodlett, 01 cupied the bench of the 

circuit until 1835. He was a sound lawyer and a jusl and able judge. Il< 
had bson county as a boy in 1814. His legal education was 

acquired, and his success in life he owed solel) to his own efforts, his up- 
rightness of character and the soundness of his judgment. He served his 
county and the state in a number of responsible offices, and died al Princeton 
in 1862, in the full enjoymenl of the well-earned and confidence of a 

large circle 1 if a< quaintam 

During a -h..rt time, in 1835, the judge of the circuil was Charles 1. 
Battell. Judge Battel! was a distinguished leader <>f the bar ami was widely 
and favorably known a- a practitioner in the if southwestern Indiana. 

Judge Battel] was succeeded in offii lisha Embree. who presided 



184 GIBSON COUNTY, INDIANA. 

over the courts of the circuit for ten years. He was born in Lincoln county, 
Kentucky, and was brought to Indiana by his parents while a little boy in 
181 1. His father, Joshua Embree. died in 1813, leaving the mother and five 
children but scantilv provided for and dependent upon their own exertions. 
The boyhood and youth of Judge Embree were spent in hard work, with little 
opportunity for schooling, but in some way he managed to acquire a fair 
education. He studied law with Judge Hall, became a successful practi- 
tioner at the bar, and was an able and popular judge. 

Shortly before the end of the career of Judge Embree as judge, there 
came to Gibson county, on change of the venue from the Vanderburgh circuit 
court, a case that excited much notice and not a little popular ill-feeling. The 
title of the case was "State of Indiana v. Remain Weinzorpflin." 

In tin's case the defendant was a priest of the Roman Catholic church. 
He was a native of France and came t< 1 America in company with the late 
Father Bessonies, of Indianapolis. He was charged by a grand jury of Van- 
derburgh county in three counts with rape, assault and battery and assault. 

The trial began in the old courthouse at Princeton on the 5th day of 
March, 1S44, and progressed until Saturday, the 9th day of the same month, 
when the jury returned a verdict of "guilty" upon the first count, and fixed 
the punishment of the defendant at imprisonment, at hard labor, for a term 
of five years. 

Judge Embree was the presiding judge at this trial, and Alexander 
Trippet, Henry Ayres, David Milburn, Hudson Brown, John Ayres, Joseph 
P. McClure. Stephen Daugherty, James \\". Maxam, John King. George 
Kendel, John Hyneman and John R. Campbell constituted the jury. 

The writer has been told by James \Y. Maxam, one of the jurors, that 
during the trial a member of the jury became ill, and it began to be feared 
that there would be a mistrial. The sick juror lived in Princeton, and he 
come to the conclusion that he would be able to hold out if he could get away 
for one night and get a "good night's rest" in his own bed at home. 

During the adjournments of the court, the jurors were kept together in a 
room in the old "Mansion House," a two-story frame building which stood 
upon the west side of the public square at the place now occupied by the store 
rooms owned by William D. Downey. The room was on the second door. 
and was reached by means of a stairway on the outside of the building. At 
the top of the stairway the entrance was by a door which led into a small 
entrv from which another door afforded entrance into the room. In this 
entry there was a closet. 

It was the practice of the bailiff in charge of the jury to keep the door 




JUDGE ELISH \ EMBREE 



ISON I OUNTY, IND] \ \ \. IN; 

to the room locked, and to leave the outside door unlocked. When he would 
be called upon to carry water to the jury, he would enter the room, get the 
water bucket and depart leaving the door to the room unlocked, bul locking 
the outside door. On his return he would deliver the wain-, lock th< 
and depart. 

The jury devised a means of escape for the il! juror. They called upon 
the bailiff for fresh water after nightfall. While he was gone after the 
water the sick juror concealed himself in the closet in the entry and when the 
bailiff locked the room door and left the outside door unlocked, the man in 
the closel waited until he had gone, when he departed to his own bed. 

Before daylight the sick juror was in the closet again and when the 

bailiff went for water again, leaving the door to the room unlocked, the 

juror returned to his brethren so much rested and refreshed thai he was able 

to continue in service until the return of the verdict. The fact was never 

overed; if it had been, the defendant would have been granted a new trial. 

At the time of this conviction the sheriff of the county was Joseph I. 
Kirkman, an ante his duty t< i a mvey the prisi mer ti i the Mate prisi m at 

Jeffersonville. There was no railroad service at the time, and Jeffersonville 
was reached b\ wa\ of the < Ihio river from Evansville. 

It u;i> anticipated that there would be an attempt at Evansville either 
to rescue or to mob the prisoner, but the sheriff was not a man to be intim- 
idated lie armed himself and succeeded in holding the mob in such awe 
that no demonstratio made beyond the gatherit vd. It may 

be said in passin ion of this sort the count) of Gibson has 

never 1. dapted than was Joseph J. Kirkman. He was a 

man without fear. 

Thi f Romain Wcinzorpflin was appealed to the supreme court, 

and the judgmenl of conviction was affirmed. Weinzorpflin v. Stale, 7 
Blackf. t86. The opinion was delivered by Charles Dewey, probably 
greatest judge thai ipreme bench of Indiana. 

Notwithstanding the solemn verdict of the jury, however, and the 
affirmance ol the judgment by the supreme court, it was not absolutely a 
tain that the conviction witness swore positively to the 

perpetration bj the defendant of th< jed upon him," and this wit 

ness \\a> the woman in tl uent history of the woman indi- 

cates that she might not have been entirely above reproach at the time of the 
alleged attack upon her. 

The jury, i was made up of honesl men. The) heard the evi- 

dence and saw the witnesses fac I if they erred, it ma> be taken 



l86 GIBSON COUNTY, INDIANA. 

without doubt that they did so without intent. It was one of those cases in 
which the truth will never be known to men. 

In 1847 J u< 'g e Enibree was elected to the national House of Representa- 
tives for a term of two years. During his service at Washington he made the 
acquaintance of Elihu B. Washburn, Horace Greeley and Abraham Lincoln. 
and friendship continued between him and these distinguished men until the 
time of his death. In 1849 tnc Whig convention made him the nominee of 
that party for governor of the state of Indiana, but this nomination he de- 
clined. In the same year he was defeated in the race for re-election to Con- 
gress. Judge Embree died in 1803. respected by the people of southwestern 
Indiana, among whom he was widely known. 

The successor of Judge Embree was James Lockhart, who served as 
judge of the circuit court until 1851. Judge Lockhart was a resident of 
Evansville, was a man highly honored by his fellow citizens and held many 
positions of trust and honor by their suffrage, among them that of represent- 
ative in Congress. 

From [851 until 1854 Alvin P. Hovey, of Mt. Vernon, was the circuit 
judge. The long and distinguished life and public service of Judge Hovey 
have become a part of the histon of the commonwealth and of the nation. 
As a lawyer, a judge, a legislator, an executive and a gallant soldier, the 
record of Gen. Alvin P. Hovey is one in which the people of the whole state 
have an interest and justifiable pride. 

The bench of the circuit wa^- distinguished, also, by the service thereon 
for fwo years of the late William E. Niblack. The residence of Judge Xiblack 
was at Vincennes, but his public service was to the state of Indiana. He 
was for many years a member of the lower house of Congress, and during 
the later years of his life was one of the judges of the supreme court of In- 
diana. 

In 1858 Ballard Smith became judge of the circuit upon the retirement 
from the office of Judge Xiblack, but his service was for one year only. 

Judge Smith was succeeded by Michael F. Burke, a native of Ireland, 
where he had received a classical education. He resided at Washington, In- 
diana, was a ripe lawyer and a competent judge. Judge Burke died in office 
and was succeeded in 1864 by John Baker, of Vincennes. 

Judge Baker presided over the courts of the circuit for a full term of six 
years. He was a lawyer widely known throughout southern Indiana. 

Judge Baker was succeeded by Newton F. Mallott, but his term of 
service as judge of the Gibson circuit court extended only from 1870 
till 1873, when a change of the circuit placed Gibson county in another circuit. 



GIBSON COD \ I V. 1 MM VNA. 1N7 

Jud as a resident of Vincennes, ami In- n upon the bench 

until his death, rendering service such as has been rarel) since 

the judges oi tin- courts in Indiana became elective by the people. He was 

of tli'' soundesl lawyer- in Indiana and. in addition to In- learning and 
distinguished aptitude to judicial service, he was a man above reproach, in 
whose honesty and conscientiousness all that knew him placed entire reliance. 
He was a in the old school wh ed that it was the pro\ ince of the 

judgi tplj the law to the facts and to do justice as the result of the 

application. It never occurred to Judge Mallott to act judicially otherv 
than as the law o immanded. 

Upon the change in the circuit which removed Judge Mallott from the 

irts of Gibson county, the governor of the state appointed Oscar VI. V 

born to the judgeship of the eleventh judicial circuit, comprised of the coun- 

■11. Pike and Dubois, and for a continuous |>cri<>d of thirty-six 

rs fudge VVelborn presided in the courts of the circuit with distinguished 

ability and to the entin tion of hi- constituency. The characteristics 

[udge VVelborn as a judge, which marked him for success, were the al 
lute fairness of hi- judgments, the decorum of hi- own conduct and the . 
duct of the bar and court officers in pursuance of his requirement ami example, 
and entire absence "t" every suspicion of either fear or favor a- an impulse 
t>> hi- act 

From the time that Judge VVelborn was elevated to the bench the busi- 
the courts of the circuit increased in volume, and in difficulty and im- 
portance, at a Steady anil rapid rate, until after a time it wa- deemed proper 
by tlie General Vssembl) to make another change in the circuit by cutting off 
the counties of Pike and and adding the county "i Pi 

The augmentation of the business of the courts continued, but the indus- 
try and constancy of purpose of Judge VVelborn enabled him to keep fairly 

e with it. and at the end of his service the business wa- Intle in arrear. 

Judge VVelborn declined to stand for reelection in [908, preferring t" 
retire from public life, and at the end of hi- term, in 1909, he retin 
the bench in possession of the absolute confidence and respect oi th 
of the circuit. Since his retirement he has devoted hi- attention to the tnaii- 
his land- and to the practice of law. 

I "pou the retirement of Judge VVelborn, the people of the circuit chose 
a- ': Herdis F. Clements, who served as judge of the Gibson cir- 

cuit court until Gibson county was removed from the eleventh judicial circuit 
in I'M.v Judge ('lenient- i- a resident of Mr. Vernon and he is -till the judge 
of the eleventh circuit, which i- now constituted of the count} of Posey. 



I CO GIBSON COUNTY, INDIANA. 

In 1913 the governor of Indiana appointed Simon L. Yandeveer, a sound 
and capable lawyer, to the judgeship of the new sixty-sixth judicial circuit, 
constituted of the county of Gibson, and Judge Vandeveer is still in service, 
rendering to the people efficient return for their confidence in him. 

The judges that have presided over the courts of Gibson county in the 
past live in the history and in the traditions of our people and it is with pride 
and satisfaction that it is recalled that in their davs and times thev were an 
important element of our community. There are few counties that have been 5 
more fortunate in this respect than Gibson county has been, during the now 
closing first century of her existence. Let us hope that the future will deal 
with us no less favorably than the prist has done. 

The bar of Gibson county has been as distinguished as the bench, and 
many have been the contests of skill and eloquence in our temples of justice. 

In the old days it was the custom of the lawyers of the circuit to follow 
the judge from court to court, and by reason of this fact the business of the 
courts was not conducted by local lawyers to the extent that it is now. Travel- 
ing from court to court upon horseback, carrying their libraries, consisting oi 
Blackstone's Commentaries, Chitty on Pleadings, Starkie on Evidence and 
Tidd's Practice, in their saddle-bags, the bar, in company with the circuit 
judge proceeded from county to county, each hoping for employment at each 
successive county seat. They made a congenial company and entertained one 
another on the way and at the taverns by jokes and stories, such as would 1 e 
at the command of able and enlightened men isolated as these men were. 

The court rooms during the sessions of the courts, plain and not at all 
commodious, presented a scene of life and interest. The tables were covered 
with books and the appearance was that there was at hand a considerable 
library, probably as many as sixty volumes. Upon examination of the titles 
of the volumes, however, it appeared that the library was made up largely of 
duplicates of the works above enumerated, which had been removed from the 
saddle-bags and deposited in the court room for use during the term. 

The terms of court were held twice a year and thev lasted usually less 
than one week. Reports of decisions were few and difficult of access and 
because of this the successful practitioner was required to draw his inspira- 
tion from the texts of the classics of the law, and to place his reliance upon 
first principles. The result of this was that arguments upon questions of law 
were more scientific than the usual presentations of the present day. They 
were built upon the history and the maxims of the law. and in them quickness 
of perception, soundness of judgment and ability to set forth in clear and in- 
telligible language the reasons for the contention of the advocate, counted for 



BSON COUNTY, INDIANA. [89 

much. The bar generally was made up of men of education, who were stu 
dents in the sense thai they thought more than they read, and it is said that in 
those days the discussions in court of a question of law was usually profound 
and interesting. 

Thi were without books and newspapers and during court week 

it was torn to gather at the count) seal to listen to the proceedings 

in court, and when the) left the courl house and gathered together at their 
homes and at log-rollings, there were spirited discussions among them upon 
the relative merits of the lawyer- to whom they had listened, and of their 
several contentions. Courl week was a time of popular diversion. 

Very able men cted causes in the courts of Gibson county. 

The voice and person "t' John Johnson were familiar to our people, as \ 
also those of (hark-- Dewey. The early volumes "i the reports of the deci- 
sions of the supreme court nf Indiana are a monument t<> the learning and 
judicial perception of Charles Dewey. He was an educated lawyer and a 
judge that would have been not only an ornament but a pillar 1 f strength to 
any courl in Christendom. 

The late Judge Samuel Hall left among his papers a li-t of the early 
practitioners at the I ir. The date when this lisl was made is 

not definitel) known, bt ih about 1833. It is of historic interesl and 

1- here set out, as Judge I [all eel it: 

NAMES VND OF LAWYERS PRACTICING IN 41'H CIRCUIT FROM l v 

I" [833. 

Xames Residences. 'nark-. 

John Johnson Knox Count) One of the Judges of the 

Supreme Court of In- 
diana — I >ead. 

Isaac Blackford Vincennes, One of the Judges of the 

Sup In- 

diana ng in ln- 

dianapi ilis. 

Charles Dewi Charlestown. One of the Judges of the 

irt Vet liv- 
ing. 

William Prince Princeton head 

David Hart —Princeton.. Dead 

eral VV. Johnston Princeton and Vincennes h 



I90 GIBSON COUNTY, INDIANA. 

Names. Residences, Remarks. 

Richard Daniel Princeton and Alt. Vernon Dead 

Reuben Kidder Springfield, Posey County Dead 

Thomas F. Blake Yincennes and Terre Haute Dead 

Nathaniel Huntington Vincennes and Terre Hante Dead 

George R. G. Sullivan Yincennes Dead 

Jacob Call Yincennes Dead 

fudge Doty Yincennes . Dead 

Henry Hurst Jeffersonville Yet living 

David Raymond Yincennes Dead 

Flias Roberts Springfield Dead 

' ■■ r 17'nvk Charlestown Dead 

" ilen \V. Nelson Jeffersonville Killed 

Harbon H. Moore Condon Dead 

Alexander Buckner Charlestown Dead 

David Floyd Corydon Dead 

Dunn Dead 

McDonald Yincennes Dead 

John McLain Shawneetown Dead 

Adolphus Hubbert Shawneetown Dead 

Thomas Brown Shawneetown Dead 

Robert M. Evans Princeton Dead 

James Ralph Erskin Goodlet Yet living 

Ceorge W. Lindsay Vincennes and Princeton Dead 

John Law Vincennes and Evansville Living 

George W. Ewing Vincennes Dead 

Samuel Judah Vincennes Living 

Frhn A. Brackenridge Boonville Living 

Pandell Crawford New Albany Living 

Charles I. Battell Springfield and Evansville Living 

Vm s Clarke Evansville and Texas Living 

lames A. Boice Evansville Dead 

'■ihn Pitcher Mt Vernon and Princeton Living 

Samuel Hall Princeton Living 

Abner T. Ellis Princeton and Vincennes Living 

Willis C. Osbourne Princeton Dead 

lames Hillyer Henderson, Kv. Dead 

Thomas Towles Henderson. Kv. Dead 

Walker Henderson, Kv. Dead 



GIBSON COUNTY, I NDIANA. I<;1 

Names. Residences, Remarks. 
Walker Henderson, Kv. Dead 



E. F. Hi ipkins I [enderson, Ky. ' Living 

\ Dickson I tenderson, Ky. Li\ 

L. \Y. Powell Henderson, Ky. Living 

irge Morris Henderson, Ky. Dead 

McKinney Evansville ; Dead 

Theodore Barnett Crawford County Living 

Gibbs Crawford County Dead 

Sterrett Kentuckj I >ead 

lan Lessh n Living 

George Webb Bonpas, III. Dead 

Joseph Warm i Washington Dead 

Amory Kinnej .Washington and Terre 1 1 ante Living 

Elisha Embree Princeton I iving 

Eben D Edson Mi Vernon Dead 

h M. Levenworth Leavenworth Living 

Amos Lane Lawrenceburgh Dead 

Thomas Fitzgerald Boonville Living 

Thomas Jefferson Evans Princeton Dead 

lames O. Wattles North Harmony. .Dead 

William I.. T. Jones Evansville Dead 

James Lockhart Evansville Living 

lame- G Jones Evansville Living 

Dim Is Porter. Paoli I lead 

John Calhoun Kentucky Dead 

I'liil. Triplet Vellowbanks, Ky. Dead 

Phil. Thompson Yellowbanks, Ky. Dead 

Hannah Vellowbanks, Ky. Dead 

Mosely Yellowbanks, Ky. l> 

William R. Griffith ...Yellowbanks, Ky. D 

rohn McFarland Yellowbanks, Ky. 

Frisby Rome Li 

Mt. Vernon Living 

I '.ell R< ■ e and Springfield I >ead 

W ashington Li 

1 irdi .•(■- I 'rinceton I >ead 

»i maid Bloi imingti m I :\ ing 

hornton \ T e\\ Albanj I 



I92 GIBSON COUNTY, INDIANA. 

Names. Residences, Remarks 

William P. Thomasson London Living 

John W. Payne Corydon Living 

Stephens Crawford County Dead 

James P. Maxwell Princeton 1 Dead 

Fifty-five dead; thirty-one living; two not known; total, 88. 

Central W. Johnston for a time resided at Princeton. He practiced in 
the courts of Gibson county and was a man of marked ability. As a member 
of the territorial Legislature he prepared and presented a report which ranks 
among the ablest anti-slavery documents of our history. 

Robert M. Evans, one of tbe chief public men of his daw whose name 
is intimately associated with most of the events of our earlv local history, was 
a member of the bar of the Gibson circuit court, and John Law was engaged 
frequently in the litigation of this county. 

Samuel B. Judah, a resident of Vincennes, practiced his profession here 
and in doing so made quite an impression upon our history. During the 
territorial days of Indiana. Congress, by law, devoted a township of land as 
an endowment of a seminary of learning within the territory and. pursuant 
to the enactment. Albert Gallitan, the secretary of the treasury, set apart 
township number 2 south, of range number 1 1 west, for the purpose. By an 
act of the territorial Legislature, Vincennes University was incorporated and 
made the beneficiary of the donation. The trustees of the university were duly 
organized and they established a school at Vincennes, which, after a fitful exist- 
ence, ceased to be maintained. 1 be matter remained dormant for a number 
of years, and meanwhile the General Assembly of the state established the 
State University at Bloomington and by law undertook to divert the nation's 
gift to that institution. Mr. Judah in these proceedings discovered an op- 
portunity for business. He succeeded in getting together the survivors of 
the board of trustees of the Vincennes University, caused them to hold meet- 
ings and to fill the vacancies in that body and finally to institute in the Gibson 
circuit court actions of ejectment against the purchasers of lands in township 
number 2 south, of range 11 west, from the state of Indiana. 

This was by no means popular among the dwellers within that congress- 
ional township and there was great indignation and much threatening of vio- 
lence. It was found to he inconvenient to prosecute these actions in the Gib- 
son circuit court, and to avoid trouble and probably something worse, Mr. 
Judah appealed to the Legislature and secured the passage of a law permitting 



GIBSON COUN IV, IM'I w v [93 

the Vincennes University to sue the state in the Marion circuil court al In- 
dianapolis. 

In the action which followed, the Vincennes University was successful 
ed from the judgment t" the supreme court of Indiana, by 
the judgment of which court the judgment of the Marion circuit court was 
reversed. This was followed by a writ of error carrying the record to the 
supreme court of the United Slate-, where the cause was argued on behalf 
of the Vincennes Universit) b) the greal Chancellor Kent, of New York 
The result of this proceeding was that the supreme court of the United States 
ersed the judgment of the supreme court of Indiana, holding that the title 
t<i the township of lands had vested in the Vincennes University, and that 
there was no power in the state Legislature to divest that title. 

The next step on the part of Mr. Judah was to realize upon his vict 
and the course iie pursued t" do this was to procure the passage of an act by 
the Legislature of Indiana, authorizing the issuii mds of the state t" 

raise funds wherewith to pay the judgment. 

The bonds were issued and fell into hands of .Mr. Judah, whereupon 
there began a course of interesting legislation whereby the Vincennes Uni- 
versity sought to get into it- hand- the fruit- of it- victory. Just how much 
it was able t>> wrest from Mr. Judah the writer has never learned. 

These proceedings have been the basis of the periodical demand- that 
have been made by the Vincennes University for reimbursement by the state 
for the land- in township _' south, "i range 11 west, that were sold many 
year- ago for the benefit of Indiana University. These demands have been 
fairly successful in the past, hut it i- hoped that the university will not h 
to he reimbursed again. 

Another lawyer of prominence in his day was John Pitcher, a lawyer of 
the eld school and a man of large ability, lie lived t" a great age and died 
at hi- home in Mt. Vernon, in Posey county, a few ye; For a 

period he was indue of the curt of common plea- and many were the stories 
illustrative of hi- wit and sarcasm both at the bar and while tip' mi the bench. 

During hi- incumbi die bench there was a lawyer at Princeton 

named Marry Kiger, a young man of gay spirit and convivial habits. The 
pa- '.ween him and the judge provided stories of interest, some of 

wh Trent. 

It is said that upon on, .,, M r . Kiger left the court mom to take 

an additional inspiration befi nning an addrc-- to the jury, He stayed 

a little too long and hi- time to speak came before hi- return. The weather 
"3) 



194 GIBSON COUNTY, INDIANA. 

was warm, and as Mr. Kiger hurried into the court room and toward the har 
he was engaged in removing his coat, his neck cloth and collar which, when 
the judge perceived it, caused him to announce from the bench in an audible- 
voice, "Mr. Kiger kindly keep on your shirt." 

On one occasion after Judge Pitcher bad decided adversely to the hope of 
some members of the bar, the defeated and chagrined lawyers proceeded to 
leave the court room in a manner somewhat perceptible. As they went to- 
wards the door the Judge called out to them, "Yes, yes. gentlemen-, adjourn 
to the nearest tavern and cuss the judge." 

A few years ago a volume could have been written of anecdotes such as 
these relative to Judge Pitcher and Harry Kiger, but the men of their days 
are gone and the wit, the sarcasm, and the glory of these men have passed 
into that oblivion which is the goal of the votaries of the law. 

A member of the Gibson count)' liar of signal learning and ability in his 
day was Alexander C. Donald, a Scot by birth and a man of ripe learning. 
Mr. Donald was an orator of unusual merit, and his broad Scotch accent and 
the burr of his r's lent a charm to bis delivery which seldom has been equalled. 
His case was one of buried talent. If Alexander C. Donald had been in a 
larger community and had had opportunities equal to his talents, there is no 
way of estimating the height to which be might have ascended in success and 
fame. 

Contemporary with Mr. Donald was James T. F.mbree. a classical grad- 
uate and an educated lawyer of distinguished power and success. He was 
born in Princeton and from 1852 until [861, when he entered the Union 
army as major of the Fifty-eighth Regiment of Indiana Volunteers, Mr. 
Embree practiced his profession in the courts of Gibson and neighboring 
counties. It was quite usual for him and \lr. Donald to be upon opposite 
sides in cases in court, and while their talents were dissimilar, the measure of 
their success was about equal. After resigning from the army because of 
failure of health in 1864, Colonel Embree returned to the practice of the law 
in Princeton, as partners of his brother, David F. Embree. His health did 
not permit him to continue long, and his career ended in death in 1S67, at the 
age of thirty-eight years. 

Another man of prominence at the bar of our county was William M. 
Land, a man of great cunning in the trial of cases, and a figure in the political 
and civic life of the community. He was judge of the court of common 
pleas for a few months immediately before that court was abolished. 

At about the same period there came to the bar of this county Clarence 



GIBSON COUNTY, INDIAN V [95 

A. Buskirk and David F. Embree, and both took rank at once as leaders of 
the bar. They were men of education and lawyers oi more than common 
strength. In the trial of cases before a jury. Mr. Buskirk was a man of gn 
success; as a technical lawyer Mr. Embree had few superiors. These men 
were frequently opposed to one another in the trial of cases and though their 
talents and equipment were in no way the same, it was nol observable that 
either one of them had the greater advantage. 

David I-'. Embree had served as a captain of I ompanj E, Fort) second 
Regiment of Indiana Volunteers, during the Civil war, .and exposure in that 
service was the cause of his death in 1877. Mr. Buskirk Mill survives, but 
for a number of years he has not pursued his profession. 

A member of tl >n county bar of other days, whose learning and 

ability in the conduct of causes demands special mention was William II. 
Trippett. Many years ago Mr. Trippett lefl Gibson county to become a resi- 
dent of Montana, where he still resides and practices law. He is remembered 
at Princeton a-* a capable lawyer, -•■mew hat inclined to indolence and to a 
disposition to have a "good time." It took a -pur to put him in motion, hut 
when he moved it behooved the other side to keep wide • The writer 

remembers well the efficiency of Mr. Trippett in the prosecution of one Ed. 
Smith, a negro charged with larceny. In the trial of this cause at Evansville, 
the argument of Mr. Trippett in closing this case for the state was equal to 
any forensic effort the writer has ever heard in more than thirty-six years 

it the bar. Mr. Trip] still engaged in the practice at Anaconda, 

Montana. 

Xea.rl; fort) y< James E. McCullough. now the assistant attor- 

ney-general of Indiana, came from Petersburg to Princeton and entered upon 
the practice of law. In the practice, Mr. Met ullough was ven successful and 
there have been at the Princeton bar few men who were his equal in keenness 
uracy of legal perception and capacity to impress his views upon the 
irts. For a number of years he has been in the practice at Indianapolis. 

There are other- deserving of mention, some of them long since pas 
into the great beyond. There were John < '. ScharYer, a good lawyer and a 
kindly gentleman; Martin \V. Fields, an advi skill and a 

capable lawyer; Richard M. J. Miller, the victim of many weak but 

a man ind natr it\ : David D Doughty, a 111 

player at checkers and a friend of all men. [Tie?e are jjone. 

There yet remain- Thomas R. Paxton, a graduate of Harvard law school 
and a good lawyer, who has forsaken the tribe of the law for the more eon- 



I96 GIBSON COUNTY, INDIANA. 

genial business of banking; Thomas Duncan, the chairman of the public 
utilities commission of Indiana, whose practice at the Gibson county bar was 
an unbroken chain of success ; Henry A. Yeager and James B. Gamble, sur- 
vivors of the old school, who still persevere in the practice ; Arthur P. Twine- 
ham, who has returned to the bar after a considerable period spent in other 
pursuits; John H. Miller, for many years a successful practitioner, but who 

has quit the law fur the farm; \V llin D. Robinson, ex-judge of the appellate 

court of Indiana, and William E. Stilwell, one time a state senator, who 
together are engaged in successful practice at Evansville ; John W. Brady, a 
lawyer of sound learning and judgment, and a master hand at trial by jury. 
There is a train of new and younger men who are fast pushing to the front 
«'t their profession. 

[Not the lea-t deserving of specific mention in this connection is Lucius 
G. Embree, author of this chapter, and who. during a long, honorable and suc- 
cessful career, has ably sustained the splendid professional record of his fam- 
ily. — En.] 

ATTORNEYS AT THE BAR OF THE GIBSON CIRCUIT COURT IN ACTIVE PRACTICE 

ix 1914. 

John T. Ballard Princeton 

Charles O. Baltzell Princeton 

Robert C. Baltzell Princeton 

Bui her Benson Princeton 

Robert II. Clark Princeton 

Thomas W. Cullen Princeton 

Donald W. Duncan Princeton 

Lucius C. Embree Princeton 

Morton C. Embree Princeton 

James B. Gamble Princeton 

John Q. A. Goodman Princeton 

Dorris R. Head Princeton 

Harvey Harmon Princeton 

Hovey C. Kirk Princeton 

Henry Kister Princeton 

Oscar Lanphar Princeton 

Marsh T. Lewis Princeton 

Thomas M. McDonald Princeton 



GIBSON COUN IV. tNDl VNA. I'lJ 

Henry II. Niekamp Princeton 

Claude A. Smith Princeton 

Charles C. Sumners Princeton 

Sanford Trippett Princeton 

\rthur P. Twineham Princeton 

Henrj A. Yeager Princeton 

Oscar M. Welborn • Princeton 

Abraham Cole Oakland ( I 

John M. Vandeveer ..Oakland City 

Henry Johnson < Kvensville 

Byron M. [ohnson Owensville 



CHAPTER XIV. 

SECRET SOCIETIES OF THE COUNTY. 

In Gibson county, like all progressive counties, it was not long after the 
first struggles of early settlement had been gone through before various civic 
societies were organized. There was. however, a period when secret orders 
were not as popular as today. But the Masonic fraternity, the Independent 
Order of Odd Fellows and, in more recent decades, the Knights of Pythias, 
all secured a footing and have ever since been advancing with the march of 
years. There are a score of so-called secret societies, the majority of which 
are of the fraternal, benevolent, or beneficiary insurance order, but of these 
this chapter will not go into detail, but of the three great, well-established, and 
world-wide recognized fraternities above named, more will he said in this con- 
nection. In any community where churches, schools and these three great 
orders are found there is found also the highest type of civilization. 

FREE AXI) ACCEPTED MASONS. 

Masonry was instituted tor the first time in Princeton, December 21, 
[820, under the name of Warren Lodge, under dispensation, with Randolph 
West as master, William B. Dimick as senior warden. Walter Wilson as 
junior warden. Holly Crawford as senior deacon, John I. Neely as junior 
deacon, William Jerauld as secretary, Ezekiel Reynolds as treasurer, and Joel 
F. Casey as steward. The first initiates under dispensation were Judge 
Samuel Hall. John I. Neely and Joe! F. Casey. 

The grand lodge met September 11. 1821, at Corydon, when a charter 
was issued to the above lodge under the name of Clinton Lodge No. [6. Judge 
Samuel Hall was present at this meeting as the representative of the new 
lodge and was therefore the first representative from a Princeton lodge of 
Masons to the grand lodge. The charter of this lodge was arrested 111 [835 
during the Morgan excitement. 

On August 23, [857, a dispensation was issued for the organization oi 
Princeton Lodge, and a charter was issued May 25, 1858, as Prince Lodge, 
the name it now bears. The change was made at the request of the brethren 



■ i . COUN IV INDIANA. \<><) 

in honor of Judge William Prince, who died a Mason, and for whom the city 
of Princeton was named. The number of the lodge is 231. 

\\ illiam Jerauld served as the first master from dai^ of dispensation to 
June, 1858, when he was succeeded b) Rev. John !•'.. Jenkins, who served seven 
rs, during the period of the Civil « 

["he charter members were Judge Samuel 1 1 all. John Arbuthnot, Dr. John 
F. Howard, Joseph Neely, Joseph ( hambers, William Jerauld. Holl) Craw- 
ford and John McKain. 

The first initiate- were two, Jesse ( . Kimball and B. Brauner, on Novem- 
ber 17. 1857. 

The masters in the order of service are as follows: William Jerauld. 
John E. Jenkins, J. I ). Kaufman. Ralph Redding, John M. Ryan (eighl years), 
Jacob G. Vail, Dr. William G. Kidd, Wilford B. McDonald, John X. Key. 
Henry P. Chambers, Thomas W. Cullen, Dr. George C. Kendle, Robert A. 
Woods 1 ten years), Rev. George I). Wolfe, John Burke, Ernest Mundelius, 
John F. Stewart. W. L. S. Wood, Harry < •. May, Clarence Rosenberger, Rev. 
I. B. I'ilant. Robert Baltzell. 

The present Masonic Temple, at the corner of Prince and Water streets, 

• built and furnished at a cost of about twenty thousand dollars and was 

occupied Maj 9, 1905. The building committee charged with its construction 

was I >r. Robert S. Anderson, president; Robert \. Woods, secretary; George 

J. Welborn, treasurer ; Jesse C. Kimball and Elmer E. Re< 

The temple i< occupied by Prince Lodge No. 231, Free and Accepted 
Masons; Princeton Chapter No. 75, Royal \rch Masons; Princeton Council 
No. 71. Royal and Select Masters; Princeton Commandery No. 46, Knights 
["emplar, and Golden Fleece Chapter No. 176, < (rder of the Eastern Star. In 
March. [914, the membership was two hundred and twenty-five. 

Princeton ( hapter No. 75, Royal Arch. Masons, was chartered October 
21, [869, and the charter members were Daniel Head. John E. Jenkins, John 
M. Ryan. James W. Spain. Israel Stough, Frederick Federer, Thomas Cullen. 
R, 1. Grissam, William F. Milliner. John M. Ryan wa- the first high priest, 
James W . Spain the iir>t king, and John E. Jenkins was the first scribe. < >u 
the tir-t of March. [914, there were one hundred and forty-eight members of 
the chapter. 

Princeton Commandery No. 46, Knights Templar, was issued dispensa- 
tion April 26, 1902, and was granted a charter on \pril [6, 1903. The charter, 

members were Robert A. W Is, Robert S. Anderson, John Burke, Elmer I 

Rece-. I lenr\ P. Chambers, Harvi inningham, J. II Owen, A. B 

Nickey, W. E. Nickey, Albert Deutsch, Louis Deutsch, Geo 1 1 Mason, 



200 GIBSON COUNTY, INDIANA. 

Horation \Y. Vedder, John W. McGowan, George A. Klenck, S. M. Nickey, 
A. D. Firestone, Frank B. Copp and A. D. McClure. Robert A. Woods was 
the first eminent commander, Dr. Robert S. Anderson the first generalissimo, 
and Elmer E. Reeves the first captain-general. In March, 1914, there were 
fifty members. 

Princeton Council Xo. 71. Royal and Select Masters, was issued dispen- 
sation July 4, 1898, and granted a charter on October 19th of the same year. 
The charter members were Robert A. Woods, M. L. Miller, Samuel M. 
Nickey, L. D. Mahaffey, Robert S. Anderson, John W. Johnson, William E. 
Nickey, John Burke and Elmer E. Reeves. Robert A. Woods was the first 
illustrious master, R. S. Anderson the first deputy illustrious master and S. 
M. Nickey the first principal conductor of work. In March, 1014, there were 
sixty-live members in the council. 

Fort Branch Lodge Xo. 696, Free and Accepted .Masons, was organized 
by the following charter membership: Marshall C. Powell, worshipful 
master; Horace Genung, senior warden; Spencer B. McKinney, junior 
warden; George T. Ford, treasurer; Homer T. Genung, secretary; Stephen U. 
Lockwood, senior deacon: Walter C. Polk, junior deacon: John Blessing, 
senior steward; James V. Stapp, junior steward; James A. Carson, tyler; 
Walter G Gram, Samuel H. West, Walter S. Hoffman. William A. Polk. 
Herman < i. Graper, James H. Johnson. Lawrence P. Atterbury, Charles G. 
Scales, Welsie Brokaw, Willis G. Stiefel, LaSalle Bryant. Jesse G. Turner, 
Horace O. Cherry, Lucius B. Marlette, Rev. Israel J. Turner, chaplain. 

The present membership is same as above, with, the one addition of 
Orville Ramsey. 

The preliminary meeting was held December 13, 1912, at Fort Branch. 
A dispensation was granted this lodge January 1, 1913, and a charter secured 
May 27, 1913. Irwin*s Hall was leased for five years and, with the support 
and co-operation of the owner of the building, a very beautiful, though small 
lodge room was arranged. The location is directly opposite the Chicago & 
Eastern Illinois railway station. 

Lodge Xo. 304, Free and Accepted Masons, at Owensville, was organ- 
ized and chartered on May 2~, 1868, and F. W. Hauss was the first worshipful 
master. The present membership of the lodge is seventy-nine, and the mem- 
bers own their hall, built in 1903. costing two thousand dollars. The officers 
of 1913 are: Charles X T . Emerson, worshipful master; A. W. Thompson, 
senior warden: F. A. Strehl, junior warden; S. C. Hudleson, treasurer; G. C. 
Gorman, secretarv; Warren B. Johnson, senior deacon; M. T. Montgomery, 



GIB \ l \ . 1 MM VNA. 2< 'I 

junior deacon; I.. L. Whitenbaugh, tyler; and J. W. Mauck, Grant Teel and 
< leorge T. Keneipp, trust 

I lakland City Lodge No. 467, Free and Accepted Masons, was chartered 
.'ii Ma\ 23, 1873. The present membership 1- one hundred and thirty-three. 
rhe officers todaj are I. VI. V/andeveer, worshipful master; J. VV. Cockrum, 
senior warden: Golla McCord, junior warden; !.. J. Deutsch, treasurer; John 
Vlayhall, secretar} ; Cleon A. Sim. .11-. senior deacon; Earl F. .McConnell, 
junior deacon; J. \\ . McCord and V. G. Butcher, stewards; E. M. Fowler, 
tyler. 

Gibson Lodge No. 4-'". Free and Vccepted Masons, of Hazelton, has a 
prt.--t.-nt membership of sixty-five men. It was chartered on May 24, [879, as 

»i Iwin Lodge X". 4-'". but on August i_. 1N71. the hall was burned and 

the charter destroyed. ( In Augusl j8, [871, a duplicate copy was issued, and 
on Ma\ 28, [878, the name was changed to Gibson Lodge. The officers at 
present follow: Charles W. McFetridge, worshipful master; Everett lame-. 
-eni..r warden; Frank R. Cassidy, junior warden: I. \ Davison, senior dea 
con; John II. Briner, junior deacon; II. P. Phillips, enio steward; II. M. 
Arthur, junior steward; T. F. Thomas, tyler. Gibson I able 

record, one seldom equaled, especially in a town this size. They have fifteen 
living past masters. There is a chapter of the Order of the Eastern Star 

here. 

INDEPENDEN1 ORDER 01 ODD 111 lows. 

Princeton Lodge No. '>4. Independent Order of Odd Fellows, was insti- 
tuted July ii. 1849. The present membership is one hundred and eighty. 
The hall was 1 mil t in the year [896, and cost twelve thousand dollars. The 
present officers are: Noble grand, F. L. Forthoffer ; vice-grand, ftenney I). 
Land; recording secretary, John F. Stunkel; financial secretary, W. A. Dill; 
treasurer. J. W. Ritchie; trustees, A. J. Davis. I.. I.. Kern. Charles Pfohl ; 
district deputy grand master. George II. Padgett. The Princeton lodge have 
assets totaling thirty-two thousand dollars, including two cemeteries and other 
real estate. The charter members of the lodge were \\ . S. Palmer, V B 
Lockhart, R. VV. Dunbar, Philip Hornbrook, H.J. Hart. A. P. Elliott and W. 
Hubbell. There are nine lodges in the county, nameh : Oakland, Francis 
Princeton. Hazelton, Fori Branch, Owensville, Summerville, Giro and 
V. heeling. 

<iil.s,,ii Encampment No. 55 was organized November 17. 1858, and the 
charter members were : V B. Lockhart, P. Hornbrook. Joseph Tumock, John 
Farrell, Isaac T. White, l>. S Anderson, A. J. Collum, George rhornhill, 1 



202 GIBSON COUNTY, INDIANA. 

H. Degarme and D. Woolsey. The present officers of the encampment are: 
Chief patriarch. Edgar Mauck; high priest. !). C. Hanna; senior warden, 
J. N. Kern; junior warden. Edward W. Eaton; scribe, \V. A. Dill; treasurer, 
L. L. Kern : trustees. George H. Padgett, George \Y. Shopbell, A. J. Davis. 
The members total about seventy-five. 

Fort Branch Lodge No. 291, Independent Order of Odd Fellows, was 
organized November 20, 1867, by the following charter members: R. T. 
Walters, John Blessing, J. M. Pretchett, A. F. Strain, William L'lers, 11. C. 
West, R. B. Burns. J- M. Foster and Henry 'Blessing. The lodge now has a 
membership of sixty, and owns a two-story building, erected in 1897 at a cost 
of six thousand seven hundred dollars. The present officers are: Herman 
Graper, noble grand; R. M. Davenport, vice-grand: S. R. Lockwood, secre- 
tary; Homer Weeks, chaplain; Louis Mclntire, warden; Perry D. Adkins, 
recording secretary ; Jasper Bratton, secretary. 

Francisco Lodge No. 814, Independent Order of Odd Fellows. \\ as 1 organ- 
ized in the year 1904, and now has fifty members. The hall was bought for 
seven hundred dollars. The officers are as follows: C. S. Barker, noble 
grand; W. F. Gentry, vice-grand ; Ralph Bowman, secretary ; D. O. Paul, 
treasurer; W. F. Gentry, R. C. Stormont, H. J. Peveler, trustees. 

Oakland City Lodge Xo. 308, Independent Order of Odd Fellows, was 
organized in the early part of 1884. and now has a membership of one hun- 
dred and two. The present officers are: Elmer Julian, noble grand; J. \\ . 
Lamb, vice-grand; J. L. Douglas, recording secretary; S. W. Melton, financial 
secretary; P. H. Lamb, treasurer; Emil Alexander, warden; John Hillyard, 
chaplain. 

Hazelton Lodge Xo. 393. Independent Order of Odd Fellows, lias a mem- 
bership of one hundred and fifty. This lodge was instituted on January 25, 
[872, and has had a rapid growth, at present owning a building erected in 
1910, at a cost of fifteen thousand dollars. Iva Tribbett is noble grand; 
Charles Kirk, vice-grand: S. L. Pearson, past grand; Elza Armstrong, chap- 
lain: Charles P. Jones, recording secretary; James II. I'.riner, financial secre- 
tary; trustees. T. J. Westfall, Charles W. McFetridge, Charles E. Jones. 
There is an encampment here with a membership of thirty, and numbered 
303. There is also the Philanthropic Podge of Rebekahs with a large mem- 
bership. 

Stewart Lodge No. 179. Independent Order of Odd Fellows, at Owens- 
ville. was organized and chartered in 1856/ and has a present membership of 
seventy-five. The officers are: Past grand. James New come: noble grand. 



GIBSON COUN rY, INDIANA. 203 

Byron Marvel; vice-grand, John L. Shepler; secretary, Charles Sampson; 
treasurei rge Rhinefi >n 

KM'. II IS OF PYTH I \S- 

This 1- one of the more recent secret societies, and 1- nol as strong as are 
the Masons and Odd Fellows in Gihson county. Many years ago, however, 
there was a strong lodge of this order at Princeton, bul with the changes of 
the passing years many of the members have left the order and joined the 
Elks and other benevolent orders of the city, and recently the Knights of 
Pythias have been greatly reduced and are not very active at this date in 
Princeton. Owensville, Oakland City and Hazelton all keep up i, r <»>d lodges 
of this society. No data has been furnished for the Owensville lod 

Chevalier Lodge No. [83, Knights of Pythias, was 01 I at < (akland 

City on June 6, 1888, and now has a membership of one hundred and four. 
The officers are: Louis Shurig, master of work; John Mayhall, keeper ol 
records and seal; Robert Slack, master of exchequer; F. 1 Benton, master of 
finance; J. W. Lamb, master at ami-; Grover Melton, inner guard; Clemor 
Bell, outer guard; R. W. Geise, I. W. McCord, J. M. Vandeveer, mum. 

Don Quixote Lodge No. 554. Knights of Pythias, was organized in 
Hazelton <>n February 7. 1911, and at present In- eighty members. The 
present officers are as follows: S. R. Cunningham, chancellor commander; 
a Armstrong, vice-chancellor; Aimer Manning, prelate: William Barnes, 
-ter at arms: T. T. Thorne, master of finance; James M. Phillips, ma 
of exchequer; A. I >. Ellis, master of work; John L. ( att, inner guard; John 
P. Sullivan, outer guard; J. 1 ». Doty, keeper of records and seal; trustees 
B Loudin, E. < ■ Shute, A. < '. 1 1< 



CHAPTER XV 



MILITARY HISTORY OE CIDSOX C0LXTY. 



The pioneers who settled in the territory that was afterwards designated 
as Gibson county were largely emigrants* from Kentucky, Tennessee and the 
Carolinas. Those from Kentucky, especially, brought with them a spirit of 
adventure and fearlessness that had been acquired by experience and training 
in the environments of their native state, and by the traditions and inspiration 
of such patriots as Daniel Boone and George Rogers Clark. Those who 
came from Tennessee, the Carolinas and the older states were largely people 
who left their former homes because of their conscientious opposition to 
slavery. These were no less i earless and courageous; they had the courage 
of convictions of right and justice. They were imbued with a stalwart 
patriotism, and of such people as this was the early citizenship of Gibson 
county composed. With such a citizenship in the early pioneers it is easy to 
account for the creditable record of Gibson county for loyalty and patriotism 
in all the years of its history. 

INDIAN WAR OF I Si I BATTLE OF TIPPECANOE. 

The first war in which the citizens of Gibson county participated was 
that between Gen. William Henry Harrison and the Indian confederacy, 
organized and led by Tecumseh and his brother, the Prophet, in 1811. On 
November 7, 181 1, the battle of Tippecanoe was fought, resulting in a com- 
plete victory for the American forces. This was one of the most important 
battles ever fought against the Indians in the West, and it was, in fact, the 
opening battle of the war of 1812. 

The armj under General Harrison engaged in this battle numbered 
about eight hundred, composed of the Fourth United States Regulars, with 
a body of militia and one hundred and thirty volunteer dragoons composed of 
the pioneers of the West who had enlisted in the service. Of this number, 
one hundred and eighty were killed or wounded in action. Thirty-seven were 
killed on the field and twenty-five of the wounded afterward died. The loss 
oi the Indians was very heavy, but as they carried all of their wounded from 
the field during the battle, and their women and old men were busy burying 




GIBSON COUNTY SOLDIERS' \M> SAILORS' MONUMENT, 
Dedicated November 12, l ; » 1 ir . 



GIBSON COl N i Y. F X I > I \\ \. 

the 'lead during the battle, no definite information could be obtained as to the 
extent of their loss. 

There were three companies from the territory now comprising Gibson 
count) engaged in this battle. These companies were - nded respecth i 

by Capt. Jacob Warrick. David Robb and William Hargrove. I aptain War- 
rick was mortally wounded in the battle and died soon after. James Smith 
was promoted from quartermaster to the captaincy of this company, after 
Warrick'- death. Concerning Captain Warrick, the following extract from 
General Harrison's official report of the battle is of interest here: 

"( aptain Warrick was shot immediately through the body and taken to 
the surgery to be dressed. \- soon as it was over, being a man of great 
bodily vigor and able to walk, he insisted on going hack to the head of his 
company, although it was evident that he had but a few hours to 1 

The official roster of the three companies for which nty can 

claim credit was obtained by Col. W. ML ' ockrum from the must) records 
in the war department at Washington. This was a painstaking effort, a- the 
muster rolls were fragile and the writing not easily legible But a complete 
list of the members of these companies was secured and published in Colonel 

krum's "Pioneer Histon of Indiana." the firsl official lisl published, so 
far as we know. This official roll is worthy of a place in this record of the 
military history of Gibson count) and, by the permission of Colonel Cock- 
rum, it is here given : 

Roll of a Company of Infantry of Indiana Militia, from September [6, 
t ■ . November [9, [811 : 

ptain Jacob Warrick, commanding, killed November 7. 1S1 1. 
• aptain lame- Smith, promoted from quartermaster November <i. 181 1. 
William Calton, lieutenant, discharged September 27, [811. 
Thomas Montgomery, Jr., promoted to lieutenant, September ,}<>. 1S11. 
lame- 1 (uckworth, ensign. 
Robert Montgomery ant. 

bert Mc< '.an int. 

James Piercall, sergeant. 

1 rgeant. 
Benjamin Venables, corporal. 
Thomas Black, a irporal. 
Robert 1 Jenney, corpi iral. 

Private-: James Alsop, lame- Stewart. Jesse Key, Bennel Key, lame- 
Wither-, [esse Brewer, Richard Davis, Asa Music, Smith Mounts, lame- 



206 GIBSON COUNTY. INDIANA. 

Stapleton, Lewis Sealy, James Bohannon, Daniel Duff, William Todd. John 
Gwins, Burton Litton. Peter Whetstone, Timothy Dower, Benjamin Stoker, 
Miles Armstrong, William Young, Maxwell Jollev, Fielding Lucas, John Mc- 
Garry. Thomas Montgomery (sixty-five years old), John Montgomery, 
Ephraim Murphy, Langsdon Drew, William Gwins, William Black. Joshua 
Capps, Andrew McFaddon, Squire McFaddon, Wilson Jones, Jeremiah 
Robinson, Hugh Todd, Martin Laughon, George Lynxwiler, William Stevens, 
John Coyler. Thomas Almon, William Almon, Thomas Duckworth. John 
Robb, John Xeel, William Black. Randolph Clark. 

Roll of a company of mounted riflemen of the Indiana militia, from 
October 2^ to November 19, 181 1 : 

David Robh. captain commanding. 
Joseph Montgomery, lieutenant. 
John Waller, ensign. 
Elsbery Armstrong, sergeant. 
William Maxidon, sergeant. 
Ezkial Kite, corporal. 
< reorge Anthees, corporal. 
Bryant Harper, trumpeter. 

Privates: Ami). Decker, James Tweedle. William Peters, Francis Hall. 
William Tweedle, John Severns, Jr., Thomas Sullivan, Daniel Fisher (killed 
November 7. 1811), Joseph Garress, Edward Buttner (killed November 7, 
1811), Thomas Shouse, William Selby, James Robb ( severelv wounded 1. 
Isaac Rogers, James Bass, David Mills. John Black. John Za Orton, 
Amstead Bennett, Stewart Cunningham, Booker Shields, John Slaven, lame:- 
Langsdoun, Jesse .Music ( killed November 7, 1S1 1 1. William Alsop, Thomas 
C. Vines, Samuel James, Frederick Rell, John Black. Jonah Robinson, John 
Rogers, George Leech, Jr., Thomas Givins, William Carson, George Litton, 
William Downing. James Blanckes, James Minor, Peter Cartright. Thomas 
Garress, David Tobin, John Riggs, Thadeus Davis. Thomas P. Vampit, John 
Crawford, William Askins, Alex Maken (badly wounded I, Moses Sandridge, 
John Dragoo, Robert Tenneson, Joseph Right, Thomas West, David Knight, 
Thomas Jordan (transferred to Dubois Company), William Bass, Hugh 
Shaw. David Lille}-. James Ashbury (killed November 7. 1811), Robert Wil- 
son, John Christ, Kader Powell (killed November 7, 181 1), Thomas Dunn, 
Jacob Kertner, Jonathan Humphrey, William Witherhold, David Edwards, 
Samuel Hamilton. Richard Potts, George Robinson 1 severely wounded I. 



GIBSON COl N I V. [NDIANA. 20J 

Roll of a company of infantry of the Indiana militia, from September 
19 to November [9, [811. 

Captain William Hargrove, commanding, 
[saac Mi >ntgi imerj . lieutenant. 
Can Ashley, ensign, resigned October 27, 1S11. 
Henry Hopkins, ensign, promoted from sergeanl October 27, t8i 1 
David Brumfield, lieutenant, ed from corporal October, [811. 

Bi ilden 1 onner, sergeant. 
James Evans, sergeant. 

David Miller, sergeant, promoted from corporal < October 27, 1S1 r. 
William Scales, sergeant, promoted from private < Ictober 27, 181 1. 
,| J. ihns< m, a irporal. 

Privates: Samuel Andi Jer. Harrison, Joseph Ladd, Thomas 

Archer, James Lemm, Joshua Day, William Pierson, Robert Milborn, John 
Lout, James Young, Author Meeks, Reuben Fitzgerald (slightly wounded), 
Jacob Skelton, William Gordon, Reding Putnam, Johnson Fitsgerald, James 
Skelton, Samuel Wheeler, John Braselton, Jr., John Flener, Pinkney Ander- 
son, William Archer, Charles Collins, Charles Penelton, John Mills, John 
Cockrum. Nathan Woodrough, John Tinker. John ('onner, Zachary Skelton, 
Benjamin Scales, Laban Putnam, John May, Thomas Arnett, Elias Barker, 
Robert Wheeler. William Mangrum, James McClure, Benjamin Conner, 
William Skelton, Randolph Owen, J: ow, George Cunningham, Joseph 

Mixon, Edward Whitacer, Robert Skelt erel) wounded), Conrod 

Masters, Haz Putnam, Joshua Stapleton, William Harrington, Isaac Tweedle, 
Richard M. Kirk, lame- Skidmore, Samuel Gaston, Chas. Meeks, David 
Larrence (discharged September [9, 1811 I, Robert Montgomery (discharged 
ptember 10. t8n I.Joseph English (discharged September [9, [811 l, Cab- 
Merry (discharged September \<>. [8n l. 

Other prominent citizens of Gil inty who bore a conspicuous part 

in that war were Robert M. Evans, who was 1 leneral Harrison's aii 

1 William I'rm John I. Neeley, Col. Joshua human and Ma 

lame- Smith. 

war OF [8l 2. 

In the war of 1812 Gibson county was well represented. \ great many 
of the veterans who did such vali n found 

ortunity for further service in the war againsl Great Britain, partii 
in the battle of Thame- and other im] 



2o8 GIBSON COUNTY, INDIANA. 

MEXICAN WAR. 

In the Mexican war, which occurred in 1846-8, Indiana supplied five 
regiments in which a number of men from Gibson county found service. 
There were also a number who enlisted in a company commanded by Capt. 
Richard Owen in the Sixteenth Kentucky Volunteers. Judge William M. 
Land, later a prominent citizen of Princeton, was a member of Company I, 
Fourteenth United States Infantry, of which Colonel Truesdale was in com- 
mand. Others who enlisted in the Mexican war and afterwards became 
citizens of Gibson county were < ieorge W. < lorman, Jacob G. Vail and Dr. W. 
G. Kidd. Gorman and Vail raised a company for the Seventeenth Indiana 
Regiment in the Civil war, in which Gorman attained the rank of lieutenant- 
colonel. Vail was commissioned colonel and at the close of the war was 
breveted brigadier-general. 

BLACK HAWK WAR. 

There were a few men from this county in the Black Hawk war in 183 2. 
Among these were Joseph Summers and Thomas Summers, ancestors of a 
large relationship in the southwestern part of the county. 

From its earliest history there was a continual warfare in the territory 
comprising Gibson count}' between the white settlers and the Indians, as is 
evidenced by the number of forts and stockades erected in several localities. 
These defensive precautions were necessary for the protection of the whites 
and their families against the hostile Indians. 

REVOLUTIONARY WAR. 

While there is no record of enlistments supplied from this territory in the 
Revolutionary war. a great many of the Revolutionary soldiers became citi- 
zens of the county after the war. Among these were Thomas Montgomery, 
Jesse Kimball, Samuel Montgomery, Jere Wyatt. Joshua Kitchens, George 
Holbrook, Sr., John Severns, and Robert Archer and James Smith. 

One of the most noted persons probably that had a part in the 
Revolutionary war and afterward came to Gibson county to spend his last 
days was a colored man by the name of Sampson. He had been with General 
Washington as a body-servant, he claimed, and was familiar with the personal 
character and habits of that distinguished patriot. Sampson was a slave and 
was brought to this countv by Robert Archer and given his freedom. He was 



GIBSON COI \ I Y. I MM \\A. 2CK) 

quite old and unable t" do any kind of work, but found friends here who 
cared for him. His death occurred in [850, and his funeral was on the fourth 
[ulj of that year. He was given a military funeral and a great demon- 
stration was made by the citizens who turned oul to do him honor, ["hen 
was firing of cannon and a ] on headed by a band and the flag. The 

procession marched to the Vrcher cemetery, where the remains were buried. 
That was the first of anything like a military funeral that occurred in 
Princeton. 

THE civil war. 

I'.ni n was in the war of the Rebellion -thai G ounty made the 

proudest record. That was a supreme test of her loyalty and patriotism. 

That was the test to try every man'- loyalty and courage of what sort il 

This loyalty and courage was revealed b) fire and tin- more than two thousand 

soldiers from Gibson county passed through thi- tire and gave proof of their 

fidelity to the principles and convictions of patriot rs. When the tocsin 

war was sounded b guns at Sumter the -"lis of Gibson county 

ivded forward t" "iter their services to the national governmenl and there 

n her histor) so brilliant as that which glorified their deed- on more 

than one hundred battlefields. 

< In the morning of the 15th of \pril. [861, immediately after the news 
die linns.'' ui>"ii Fort Sumter had been received. Governor Morton wired 
-idem I .me .hi. making a tender of ten thousand men fur the defens< 
the nation. < In the same day President Lincoln issued his proclamation call- 
ing for seventy-five thousand volunteers From th< eral states 111 the Union 
for the suppression of the Rebellion. Under tin- call Indiana'- quota was six 
regiments of infantry, or about -i\ thousand men. to serve three months. 

\\ ii Inn five days after this call was promulgated more than twelve thou- 
sand nun had been enrolled in Indiana and were pressing Governor Morton 
for acceptance and muster into the United State- service. 

Among these early enlistments was a company from Gibson county. The 
day following President Lincoln's proclamation a recruiting office was opened 
in Princeton and the life and drum were heard for the first time calling for 
volunteers t" defend the flag. 

The roll of this lir-t company was -""ii made up and the company was 
K for ..rder- t" ;.;•> to lndianap"lis for muster i 1 it « > the servici the 

•la f^r the -tate under the President's call had been filled by tin- time ami 
the Gibsi .ii county company, like many ether-, had t" -land aside. Ihe com- 
pany wa- disbanded, but onlj for a short time. 
(14) 



2IO GIBSON COUNTY, INDIANA. 

SEVENTEENTH REGIMENT INDIANA VOLUNTEER INFANTRY. 

Within a month an additional call for volunteers to serve three years 
or during the war was made by President Lincoln. Under this call Indiana's 
quota was four regiments of infantry and one regiment of cavalry, and this 
gave the Gibson county company the opportunity to enter the service. The 
muster roll was opened and the enlistments for three years or during the war 
called for. George W. Gorman and Jacob G. Vail were the most active in 
recruiting this company. The company was organized with the following 
officers: Jacob G. Vail, captain; Silas W. Boswell, first lieutenant; William G. 
Berry, second lieutenant. Vail was promoted to major, lieutenant-colonel 
and colonel successively, and was mustered out with his regiment with the 
rank of brevet brigadier-general, having attained the highest rank of any who 
entered the service from this county. Early in May, 1861, this company was 
mustered into the United States service at Indianapolis as Company H of the 
Seventeenth Regiment Indiana Volunteer Infantry. At the organization of 
the regiment George \\ . Gorman was appointed major and Dr. S. E. Mun- 
ford assistant surgeon. Later Gorman was promoted to lieutenant-colonel 
and Doctor Munford to surgeon. In the latter part of his three years' service 
Doctor Munford was medical director of Wilder's brigade. 

The first service of the Seventeenth Regiment was in Virginia under 
General Reynolds. Later the regiment was sent to Kentucky and assigned 
to the division of Gen. T. J. Wood in General Buell's army. 

In the early part of 1863 tne regiment was detached from the brigade 
and division to which it had belonged up to this time, and was assigned to 
another brigade organized as mounted infantry. This brigade was organized 
and commanded by Col. John T. Wilder, and became famous and effective as 
Wilder's Brigade. It was as a part of Wilder's Brigade that the Seventeenth 
did the most effective service. They participated in all the campaigns and 
battle^ through Tennessee. Georgia and Alabama, making raids and skirmishes 
within the enemy's lines to such an extent that they became known as invinci- 
bles. After all their strenuous campaigns thev came to Macon, Georgia, 
where they had a sharp fight on the 20th of April, 1805, resulting in the cap- 
ture of that city with three thousand prisoners, including several high officers. 
Here the Seventeenth did post duty until the Nth of August. [865, when the 
regiment was mustered out. 

Cnder this call other enlistments from Gibson county were made in the 
Fourteenth Indiana, organized at Terre Haute by Col. Nathan Kimball, after- 



GIBSon C01 \ V, [NDIAN \. -'II 

wards major-general. Another full company from this count) became a 
part of the rwenty- fourth Indiana, organized at Vincennes by Col. (after- 
wards major-general) Alvin P. Hovey. And there were also a number from 
this count) enlisted in the Twenty-fifth Indiana, being organized al Evansville 
by Colonel Veach, afterwards brigad ral. 

TWENTY-FOURTH REGIMENT INDIANA VOLUNTEER [NFANTRY. 

In the Twenty-fourth Indiana Frank M. Redburn was appointed first 
lieutenant of Company K at the organization of the company, and VV. S. 
I '"Hard was second lieutenant. Redburn was promoted to major and Pollard 
to captain during the term of service. The Twenty-fourth Regimenl saw 
service under General Grant at Fort Donelson, Shiloh and Vicksburg. It 
was in the division commanded by Gen. Alvin P. Hovey and distinguished 
itself in the battle of Champion IlilU. where it charged and routed the enemy 
who was strongly entrenched. 

THIRTY-THIRD REGIMENT INDIANA VOLUNTEER INFANTRY. 

\.s the war progressed another call for three hundred thousand volun- 
teers was made by President Lincoln. This was after the battle of Bull Run. 
when the people of the North became conscious of the fact thai the suppression 
of the rebellion was an undertaking of serious magnitude. It was realized 
then that this was to be a veal war. and not a "breakfast spell," as some at firsl 
rted. 
Under this call there was abundant opportunit) for the bo) i ison 

inty, who were so inclined, to enter the service. A company was enrolled 
in Princeton in the month of August, 1861, b) lame- M. Henderson, who had 
been engaged in teaching in what was then the Morton Academy, Princeton. 
This company became a part of the Thirty-third Regiment, organi ndi- 

anapolis by Col. John Coburn. The company was designated ; ipam F, 

and at the organization was officered a- follows: Burr II. Polk, captain; 
.1 I Fleming, tir-t lieutenant: Francis Brunson, sec utenant. James 

M. Henderson was appointed lieutenant-colonel al the organization of the 
ment. Burr II Polk was appointed to staff duty, with the rank of major. 
m after entering the 51 in 1 I I . Fleming was promoted to captain of 

mpan) F. < >n the expiration of Captain Fleming's term of service \\ S 
Met lullough succeeded to the captaincy, Ja Mc< "lurkin to first lieutenant. 

and Robert F. McConnell to second lieutenant. Robert M McMaster, a 



212 GIESON COUNTY, INDIANA. 

Princeton boy, was appointed quartermaster of the regiment in November, 
1864, and was mustered out with the regiment. 

The Thirty-third Regiment was mustered into the United States service 
September 16, 1861, at Indianapolis, and soon after departed for the field of 
operations in Kentucky. The regiment was assigned to a brigade of which 
Col. John Coburn was commander, and served under him during the war. 
They spent the first year or so of their service in eastern Kentucky and eastern 
Tennessee. Cumberland Gap was captured and held by the command of 
which the Thirty-third was a part during the summer of 1862. In the fall 
of that year this position had to he abandoned and the forces occupying it had 
to retreat into Kentucky, on account of the aggressive movements of the Con- 
federate armies under Bragg and Kirby Smith. Early in October the Thirty- 
third Regiment was in the vicinity of Lexington and Covington. The regi- 
ment spent several months in Kentucky and then moved to Nashville, where 
they arrived earl) in February, 1863. Marching in the direction of Columbia, 
on the _|th of March they had a severe fight with a strong Confederate force 
under VanDorn, resulting in defeat and the capture of almost the emire regi- 
ment. After a few months in prison the regiment was paroled and returned 
to the army, then under command of Rosecrans in Tennessee. The regiment 
was on duty around Murfreesboro, Tullahoma, and vicinity, until the fol- 
lowing January, when they re-enlisted as a veteran organization. Returning 
from the thirty-day furlough granted, they were assigned to the Twentieth 
Army Corps under General Hooker, anil participated in the movement of 
Sherman's army from Chattanooga towards Atlanta. In that cam- 
paign the Thirty-third was almost constantly engaged in marching and fight- 
ing. The principal battles in which they were engaged were: Resaca, New 
Hope Church. Gulp Farm. Kenesaw, Teach Tree Creek and in front of 
Atlanta. In this campaign the regiment lost more than three hundred killed 
and wounded. After the surrender of Atlanta the regiment was a part of 
Sherman's army that marched to the sea. Thence through the Carolinas to 
Goldsboro, and on to Washington, and then back to Louisville, where they 
were mustered out. 

FORTY-SECOND REGIMENT INDIANA VOLUNTEER INFANTRY. 

In the month of September, 1861, two more companies were enlisted in 
Gibson county, one in Princeton by Nathaniel B. French and D. F. Embree, 
and the other in the eastern part of the county by Samuel G. Barrett and 



GIBSON COUNTY, [ND] WW. 213 

William M. Cockrum. These companies became part of the Fort) second 
Indiana Regiment, organized at Evansville by * ol. James G. Jones. 

Tin- Princeton compan) was designated as Compan) I . and was organ- 
d wnli V. B. French, captain, William A. Waters, first lieutenant, Frank 
Wade, second lieutenant. French was promoted to major; Dorse) was as- 
ned as adjutant ; Frank Embree became captain of the company, and was in 
command during the greater part of the service. In the latter part of the 
service Joseph R. Vshmead \\a- promoted from lieutenant to the captaincy of 
the company. Others who held commissions as lieutenants in the compan) 
were Ephraim Rutledge, who was killed in action at ' ioldsboro, William Jones 
and John R. I )augherty. 

impany F of this regiment at the organization was officered as follows: 
uel G Barrett, captain; Jacob W. Skelton, first lieutenant; William M. 
ckrum, second lieutenant. Barrett and Skelton resigned alter a few 
months, and Cockrum was promoted captain, and afterward to lieutenant- 
colonel, and was mustered out with the regimeni On th« 
rum, Lieut. J. 1). Skelton was made captain. I ithers wh i held commissions 
;b lieutenants in this company w ere John Q, V Steele, w hi i « as killed in actii >n 
Idsboro, Adoniram A. Keys, John C. White and William McCleary. 
The early part of service of the Forty-second Regiment was in the west- 
ern part of Kentucky. In the latter part of February, 1862, the regiment 
moved to Nashville, thence to (luntsville, where it remained on duty for 
eral months. \s a part of Rosseau's division tin 1 in the 

retrograde march of Buell's arm) hack through Tennessee and Kentuck) to 
lie With Met ook's corps of Buell's army, the Forty-second moved 
from Louisville in pursuit of Bragg and found him read) fi >r battle at 1 'err) s 
ville, on the 8th of October. The regimeni bore a conspicuous pan in that 

nenl and lost heavily in killed and wounded. Following the mo 
ments of the arm) the regiment arrived in Nashville in November. < in the 
h of December they ma th the army, then under command of 

Rosecrans, toward Murfreesboro, and were engaged in the battle of Stoi 
Riser. December 31, [862, and January 1 and 2, 1863, lo 11 killed 

and eighty ■ 1 giment remained in the vicinity of Mur- 

freesboro until the following June, when it again took up the march with 
Rosecrans' army towards Chattanooga. < >n the n,th and 20th of September 
the regiment was severel d in the battle of Chickamauga, losing ninet) 

in killed, wounded and captured. In the battles of Lookout Mountain and 
on Ridge the Forty-second lost forty-three in killed and wounded. 
In January, ted as veterans, and after return- 



214 GIBSON COUNTY, INDIANA. 

ing from furlough joined Sherman's army in the Atlanta campaign, and 
participated in all the principal battles. In November it marched with Sher- 
man's army from Atlanta to Savannah, thence through the Carolinas to Golds- 
boro. taking part in the battles of Averysboro and Bentonville. This was the 
closing campaign of the war and the Forty-second, now turned their faces 
homeward, passing through Richmond, Washington to Louisville, where it 
was mustered out July 2j, 1865. 

FIFTY-EIGHTH REGIMENT INDIANA VOLUNTEER INFANTRY. 

In October, 1861, Dr. Andrew Lewis was commissioned by Governor 
Morton to organize a regiment from the counties then composing the first 
congressional district, the organization camp to be at Princeton. 

This camp was established in the county fair grounds in October. 1861, 
and was known as Camp Gibson. The regiment was designated as the Fifty- 
eighth Indiana, and after the preliminary work of organization by Dr. Lewis, 
II. M. Carr was regularly commissioned as colonel; George P. Buell, lieu- 
tenant-colonel; James T. Embree, major; Samuel Sterne, quartermaster; Dr. 
\Y. \\ . Blair, surgeon: Rev. John J. Hight, chaplain. In addition to the field 
and staff officers, four full companies, with several enlistments in other com- 
panies, in this regiment, in all about four hundred men, were from Gibson 
county. After a few months' service in the field Colonel Carr resigned and 
George P. Buell was commissioned colonel, and James T. Embree, lieutenant- 
colonel. At that time Capt. Joseph Moore, of Company B. was promoted to 
major, for the greater part of the service Colonel Buell commanded the 
brigade and Lieutenant-Colonel Embree commanded the regiment. On the 
resignation of Colonel Embree in the latter part of 1863, Moore was promoted 
to lieutenant-colonel and was in command of the regiment during the rest of 
the service. At the close of the war Buell was breveted brigadier-general. 
In 1862 Dr. W. W. Blair was appointed medical director of Gen. T. J. Woods' 
division and served in this capacity until the close of his term of service. 
Doctor Blair is now ( 1914) the only member of General Woods' staff living. 

< >ther Gibson county members of the regimental staff who succeeded by 
appointment or promotion, after the first organization, were: W. A. Downey, 
major: Charles C. Whiting, John G. Behm and Edward Reynolds, adjutants: 
Dr. S. E. Holtzman, surgeon, and Dr. James C. Patten, assistant surgeon. 



GIBSON COUN IV. I MM VN \. 21; 



GIBSON • ' il \l V COM I' W IES. 



impaii) \ was in command of (apt. Thomas <i. Brown, who resigned 
in i - d was suco i Capt. William Davis, and on his resignation 

account "i wounds received at Chickamauga, Lieut. Charles C. Whiting was 
promoted t" captain. Others who held commissions a- lieutenants in tins 
companj were John G. Behm, Thomas Ruston, John Hoke ami Oliver P. 
Bouldin. 

1 ompany B was organized with Captain Joseph Moore, First Lieutenant 
S I'. Ewing and Siv.'ii'l Lieutenanl Bedford Reavis. When Moore was 
promoted to major James M. Smith was transferred from Company K to the 
captainc) of tin- company) and served a- such until the expiration of 
term in April, 1865, when Lieut. Jacob Davis was appointed captain. Others 
who held commissi 'ii- a- lieutenants in 1 1 1 i — o rnipany were : James I >. Fi ister, 
who \\a- killed at Chickamaug ih X Endicotl and Roberl M. Lucas. 

impany C was organized with Captain W. A. Downey, First Lieutenant 

I . I'.. \\ 1-. Second Lieutenant Joseph I >. Fisher. Downey was promoted 

t<> major and was succeeded bj Augustus Milburn, who was promoted from 
fir>t lieutenant. < tthers who held commissions as lieutenant- in tin- companj 
were D. M. Hadlock and Monroe Key. 

impany l> at the time of 1:- organization was officered by Captain M. 
G Hargrove. Firsl Lieutenant James C. Knox. Second Lieutenant George 
\\ hitman. From -tart to finish there were a great many changes in the officers 
this company. The captain- after the organization were Bryan C. Wal- 
poli l c Whitman. George Raff an and Henrj C. Torrence. The la-t 

three were promoted from first lieutenant. Near the close of die war Charles 
C. Montgomery and John C. Clark were commissioned lieutenant-. 

Among those from Gibson county who held commissions in other com- 
panies of tin- Fifty-eighth were: John W. Emmerson, second lieutenant, tym- 
pany F; J. S. Ewing and James I-".. Chappel, second lieutenant- in Company 
V Harper, first lieutenant, Compam I: Horace V Hall, captain, 
and Samuel I.. Snyder and S. F. Utley, lieuten; pany K. 

The Fifty-eighth Regiment was mustered into the United States 
on November u. 1861, and on the 13th of December left their place of 
rendezvous in Camp Gibson for LouisvihV bj wa\ of Evansville, thence 

by boat Marching from Louisville to Bardstown, where they were in cam]) 
for a week or so, the) then moved on t,, Lebanon. Thej were assigned to 
1 .. neral \\ 1-' division of Gen. I '. C. Buell's army, and during the winter of 



2l6 GIBSON COUNTY, INDIANA. 

1861 and 1862 marched about through central Kentucky, and on the 1st of 
March the regiment reached Nashville after the evacuation of that place. 
Leaving Nashville about the first of April, the regiment was with Buell's 
army on the march to Pittsburg Landing, arriving there on the evening of the 
second day's battle of Shiloh. It formed part of the force in advance towards 
Corinth, and was among the first of the Union army to enter that place after 
the evacuation. The regiment then joined in the movements of Buell's army 
through northern Alabama, to Shelbyville, Decherd, McMinnville, etc. It 
was in the retrograde movement of the army, leaving McMinnville about the 
first of September, marching through Nashville, Bowling Green, anil arriving 
at Louisville September 20th. having engaged in a sharp skirmish with the 
rear of Bragg's army at Mumfordsville on the way. 

On the 1st of October the regiment started out again from Louisville in 
pursuit of Bragg, who was then at Bardstown. It had a skirmish with the 
rear of the Confederate army near that place and drove them from the town, 
following the retreating Confederates through Danville, Crab Orchard, with 
occasional skirmishing, to near Mt. Vernon, when the chase was abandoned, 
and the regiment retraced its steps and turned again towards Nashville, where 
it arrived about the last of November. 

On the 2(>th of December it formed a part of General Rosecrans' army in 
the advance on Murfreesboro, where Bragg's army was in force and ready for 
battle. The Fifty-eighth had a sharp fight at Lavergne, on the way, in which 
several of the regiment were wounded. In the battle of Stone's River the 
regiment was actively engaged December 31, 1862, and the succeeding days, 
losing heavily in killed and wounded. The regiment participated in all the 
movements of Rosecrans' army from Murfreesboro to Chattanooga, and was 
in the battle of Chickamauga, on the 19th and 20th of September, 1863. In 
that battle the loss of the regiment was one hundred and seventy in killed, 
wounded and missing, out of an aggregate of four hundred engaged. 

The Fifty-eighth was in Wagner's brigade, Sheridan's division, in the 
battle of Mission Ridge, and had sixty-six killed and wounded in the charge 
on the Ridge. Following this battle the regiment was sent to Knoxville on a 
forced march to relieve the army there besieged by Longstreet. While in that 
section of the country the regiment re-enlisted as veterans and returned home 
on a furlough. 

On the return of the regiment to Chattanooga in April it was assigned to 
the engineer corps and took charge of the pontoon trains of Sherman's army. 
In this service the regiment laid all of the bridges for the advance of Sherman's 
army from Chattanooga to Atlanta, and thence to Savannah, with Sherman's 



GIBSON COl \ i v. tNDl VNA. -'I ~ 

march to the sea. Leaving Savannah, the regiment did all the bridging and 
repairing of roads through the Carolinas to Goldsboro, thence on through 
Virginia to Richmond and Washington. From here the regimenl was sent 
to Louisville, which was the starting poinl and the finishing point. Ii was 
finally mustered out of the service on July -"5. [865. 

SIXTY-] IIMENT [NDIANA VOL1 ER [NFANTRY. 

Under the call of 1862 the Sixtj fifth Regimenl was organized in Prii 
ton with John W. Foster as colonel. James L. Thornton, of Princeton, was 
quartermaster of this regiment. < xmipanj B of tlh> regiment was officered as 
Follows at the time of the organization: Captain, W. T. Stilwell; first lieu- 
tenant. James M. Hussey; second lieutenant. Richard M. J. Miller. On the 
resignation of Captain Stilwell in September, [864, .Miller was promoted 
captain and served until the regimenl was mustered out. James M. Skelton 

held a commission as lieutenant in this company. 

The Sixty-fifth Regiment was mustered into the service on the _'<>th of 
August, 1862, and moved to Henderson, Kentucky, and spent time 

looking alter the guerrillas operating in that vicinity. < >n the . Au- 

gust the regiment had a lively engagement with \ilam Johnson's Confederate 
1 at Madisonville, defeating the enemj and taking possession of the 
town. For about one year after this the several companies of tli< ifth 

re distributed in different counties in that part of the state, assigned 
ird and pair"! duty. In the meantime the regiment had been mounted and 
in August, [863, became a part of Colonel Graham's brigade oi cavalry and 
mounted infantry. On September 1. 1863, the brigade to which the n 
ment was attached arrived at Knoxville, Tennessee, being the first I 1 
troops t" reach that place. Froni tin- tune until the following January tnc 
imenr*was constantly engaged in marching and fighting in eastern Tent 

ml some of the fighting was quit 

< 'u tin April. [864, the regiment was dismounted and assigned 

md Brigade, Third Division, Twenty-third Arm) Corps, and 
Sherman's army in the campaign to Atlanta. It participated in the 
battle of Resaca, and in all the battles and skirmishes of this campaign up to 
the cap; • tlanta. It then joined in the pur-nit of Hood into Alabama 

and Tei in the battli ilumbia, Franklin and N'ash- 

\ille. It was then transferred to Virginia where it participated in the att.uk 
on Fort \nderson and other battles and skirmishes in North Carolina. Alter 



2l8 GIBSON COUNTY, INDIANA. 

the surrender of Johnson the Sixty-fifth moved to Greensboro, where it was 
mustered out on the 22d of June, [865. 

EIGHTIETH REGIMENT INDIANA VOLUNTEER INFANTRY. 

In the month of September, 1862, the Eightieth Indiana Regiment was 
organized in Princeton. Louis Brooks was lieutenant-colonel of this regi- 
ment at the time of organization and had command of the regiment until 
after the battle of Perryville, when Charles Denby was transferred from the 
Forty-second and became colonel of the regiment. George T. Simonson 
was major at the time of organization, and afterwards promoted to lieutenant- 
colonel. Dr. W. P. Welborn was commissioned surgeon ami Dr. A. W. 
Spain, assistant surgeon. Rev. M. M. C. Hobbs, a well-known Methodist 
minister, was the chaplain. 

Company A of the Eightieth Regiment was composed largely of the 
citizens and business men in Princeton and vicinity. The company officers 
at the organization were: Captain, Charles Brownlee; first lieutenant. Jesse 
C. Kimball; second lieutenant, William M. Duncan. On the resignation of 
Captain Brownlee in 1864 Duncan was promoted captain and served until 
the muster out of the regiment. Others who held commissions as lieutenants 
in this company were Henry C. Jerauld. William Archer and Jonah G. 
Tichenor. 

Company E had for its first captain, Harrison M. Spain, who was pro- 
moted to major, and was succeeded by Enos H. Kirk. Those who held com- 
missions as lieutenants were Alexander J. Montgomery. William C. Fisher 
and James S. Moran. 

Russell J. Showers was the first captain of Company F. He was killed 
in' the battle of Resaca. and Lieut. James S. Epperson was promoted to 
captain. Others who held commissions as lieutenants were Thomas S. Craig. 
John M. Wolf, Janice H. C; Lowe and Alexander R. Smith. 

On the 8th of September the Eightieth Regiment left Camp Gibson and 
in just one month afterward they were engaged in the battle of Perryville, in 
which the regiment suffered severely, losing in killed and wounded one hun- 
dred and fifty officers and men. The regiment remained in Kentucky during 
the fall and winter of 1862 and 1863, doing guard and patrol duty. In Au- 
gust, 1863, tne regiment left Kentucky with General Burnside*s army and 
inarched across the Cumberland mountains into eastern Tennessee, and 
participated in the campaign in the vicinity of Kingston and Knoxville during 
the fall and winter following. In the spring of 1864 the regiment left 



GIBSON COUNTY, I \'l'l SNA. 2 I 1 ) 

eastern Tennessee with General Schofield's Twenty-third < orps, and joined 
Sherman's army in the Atlanta campaign. In this campaign the Eightieth 
participated in all the principal engagements from Dalton to Atlanta, includ- 
ing the battle of Resaca, fCenesaw and Peach Tree Creek, losing in this cam- 
one hundred and seventy-five in killed and wounded. 
After the fall of Atlanta the regimen* moved northward with the 
Twenty-third Corps in pursuit of Hood. It participated in the battles of 

Franklin and Nashville, which resulted in a rout and destruction of I! 1's 

army. The regiment was then transferred t" \ irginia and joined the forces 
in tin- campaign against Wilmington, Kingston, Goldsboro and Raleigh. It 
bore a conspicuous pan in the attack on Fort Anderson. \itcr tin- -nr- 
render of Johnson the regiment moved to Saulsbery, where it remained until 
June j_d. when it was mustered out of the service. 

ONE HUNDRED VND rWENTIETH REGIMENT INDIANA VOLUNTEER INFANTRY. 

Iii tlie early part of 1864 the < me I tundred and Twentieth Regiment was 
anized. In 1 nenl Gil nt) was largely represented. Of the 

commissioned officers Dr. J. Marshall Neely was surgeon, Allien Knowles 
was captain, and John R. Thomas was lieutenant of Company I). Nathan 
Wilson, Richard W. Hastings and I). W. Smith held commissions as lieu- 
tenant- in 1 Company F. 

This regiment, with the One Hundred, and Twenty-third. One Hundred 
and Twenty-fourth, One Hundred and Twenty-ninth and One Hundred and 
Thirtieth, composed an Indiana division, and was under the command of 
i Alvin P. Hovey. These regiments were largelj composed of young 
men and boys and the division earned the name of "Hovey's Babies." I he 
division was immediately placed on the firing hue hi the Atlanta campaign 
and these "babies" acquitted themselves as veterans in the man en- 

cment- 111 which they participated. They were assigned to the Twenty- 
third Corps and their historj 1- identified with the other regiments of that 
command. They participated in the battles of Resaca, Kenesaw Mountain. 
battles around Atlanta, in the pursuit after Hood, the battles of Franklin and 
Nashville. 

After the battle of Nashville the regiment was transferred with the rest 
of the Twenty-third Corps to North Carolina, where it took a prominent part 
in the operation of the army in the section until the surrender of Johnson 
and the close of the war. The regiment remained for some time after this 
at Raleigh doing garrison duty. 



220 GIBSON COUNTY, INDIANA. 

ONE HUNDRED AND THIRTY-SIXTH REGIMENT INDIANA VOLUNTEER INFANTRY. 

In May, 1864, the One Hundred and Thirty-sixth Regiment was organ- 
ized to serve for a term of one hundred days. In this was one company from 
Gibson county, of which William Kurtz was captain, Francis Wade first 
lieutenant, Alexander C. Small second lieutenant. This regiment was 
especially organized for garrison duty and served the time in Tennesse, guard- 
ing forts and railroad bridges, thus relieving veteran troops for service at the 
front. 

ONE HUNDRED AND FORTY-THIRD REGIMENT INDIANA VOLUNTEER INFANTRY. 

The last regiment organized during the Civil war, in which there was 
enlistments from Gibson county, was the One Hundred and Forty-third. 
This regiment was largely composed of veterans who had seen service in 
other commands. It was organized in February, 1865. John E. Phillips 
was major of this regiment. William H. Fowler was captain of Company 
B and Bedford Reavis was captain of Company H. Ralph Redding and 
Alexander C. Small were lieutenants in Company H. 

This regiment was fully equipped and ready for duty, but the war was 
practically over before they got within hearing of hostile guns. 

OTHER EXLISTMEXTS. 

In addition to the regiments mentioned, Gibson county soldiers found 
service in other regiments of this state and in other states. Among the other 
Indiana infantry regiments in which Gibson county soldiers were enlisted 
were the Fifteenth, Fifty-first, Sixtieth, Sixty-third and Ninety-first, the 
First, Fourth and Tenth Cavalry, the Eighth Indiana Battery, and the 
Twenty-first Heavy Artillery. 

From first to last, there were more than two thousand volunteer enlist- 
ments from Gibson county. There were no drafted men, though there was 
in 1863 an enrollment of those subject to military duty, preparatory for a 
draft, if this course should be necessary to fill the county's quota in subsequent 
calls. As an inducement for volunteers to meet these calls the county offered 
liberal bounties for enlistments in [864 and 1865. For this purpose the 
county paid the total amount of $104,014.15 to those who enlisted in some of 
the later companies. The county also paid for the relief of soldiers' wives 
and widows (luring the war the sum of ,$20,227.01. 



GIBSON COUNTY, INDIANA. 22] 

h i- difficult for the pi eneration to realize thai the officers and 

men who composed the arm) in the greatesl war of modern times were boys 
and young men; thai the average age of the rank and file of those who 
enlisted from Gibson count) was nol more than twent) years. It is a m 
taken impression thai the army that fought to a successful conclusion the 
war of the Rebellion was composed of old and decrepit men. "who, weary 
with life's burden, flung the sin. .kin- wick of an expiring life into the 
trembling balance of their country's -rale-, and soughl the resl of death and 
oblivion in the fire and smoke of Wattle." It was not of such as these thai the 
arm) was composed. It was from the flower and youth of the land that the 
more than two thousand soldiers of Gibson county came. Behind them were 

rs of opportunity. Behind them were homes .and friends, and home com- 
forts, where "Plenty had her court and Joy and Peace -aimed even morn." 
It was from all this that the) turned away. They gave up their hopes, their 
ambitions, their world, their life and all for the sake of others. They 
suffered privation and endurance that others mig <■ and comfort. 

They exiled themselves from home that others mighl hav< a home. They 

e up life that this generation and the generations to come might have I 
and enjoy life more abundantly. 

Gibson count) - ddiers tared death and mingled in the strife and carnage 
• •t' nearl) all the great battles of the Civil war. They contributed their part 
in the tir-t great victor) of the \ N est rn army at Fori I • melson. Some have 
li\ed to tell of their experience in the bloody conflict at Shiloh, al Perryville, 
and at St- ■tu-'- River. Gibson county soldiers foughl with Hove) at Cham- 
pion's Hill, and with Grant in the siege and capture of Vicksburg. < ribson 

int) soldiers were with Burnside when he stormed th< rugged hills "t' 
Fredericksburg, and the) foughl among the burning pine- of Chancellorsville. 

ison county soldiers -t 1 wil ten who resisted the desperate valor 

<>t' the veterans under Lee and Longstreel at Gettysburg. 

inty si 'Idler- stood with < ien. < ieorge II [*homas on Snodgrass 
Hill, at Chickamauga, on thai September Sabbath afternoon, and contributed 
of their might and valor and made it possible for thai grim old chieftain to 
declare to the impetuous and almost victorious hosts under Hill and Lo 
i'hii- far -halt tin mi come and no farther." 

unt) soldiers were among those who scaled the heights 
Lookoul Mountain Ejht with Hooker in his famous battle above the 

clouds; they were among those, who, with unparalleled courage, charged the 
rifle pits, blazing with cannon and musketry, and climbed t" the heights of 
Mission Ridge. \nd it was a Gibson county soldier who earned the flag 



222 GIBSON COUNTY. INDIANA. 

of the Fifty-eighth Indiana in that charge. He carried the flag unfurled and 
in full splendor floating to the breeze, and planted at Bragg's late head- 
quarters, on the summit, the "banner of beauty and glory." 

There were Gibson county soldiers in these and scores of other great 
battles of the war. They were'with Sherman in his march to the sea. They 
followed Sherman through swamps and across the rivers of Georgia, and 
through the Carolinas, until they joined hands with other comrades from 
Gibson county, who had followed Grant through the Wilderness, to Rich- 
mond and Petersburg, on to the final victory and surrender of Lee"s army at 
Appomattox. They participated in that greatest military pageant the world 
had ever seen, when the veteran regiments under Sherman and Grant, with 
bullet-ridden and battle-scarred banners, marched down Pennsylvania avenue 
in Washington, amid the plaudits and cheers of thousands of admiring 
spectators. 

SPANISH-AMERICAN WAR. 

Although the men from Gibson county who enlisted for service in the 
war with Spain, in [898, did not engage in any battles or skirmishes, they 
were trained, equipped and transported to different points in the country 
preparatory to meeting the enemy. 

Gibson county was represented in the One Hundred and Fifty-ninth In- 
diana Volunteer Infantry by Company K. This company was originally or- 
ganized at Princeton on December 24, 1S88, and assigned as Company K. 
First Regiment Indiana National Guard. In 1898 the company was officered 
as follows: George Soller, captain: Aha C. Eaton, first lieutenant: Paul S. 
Brownlee, second lieutenant : Ollie Watt, first 'sergeant : Robert Baker, quar- 
termaster sergeant: Charles E. Brick. John F. Ervin, James R. Taylor, Will- 
iam M. Wilson, sergeants: Frank B. Duncan, William F. Aloes, John R. Mc- 
Ginnis, Albert C. Parke, corporals: Louis O. Salzman and James F. Wheeler 
were also corporals; Joseph I. Filer and William P. Eaton were musicians; 
Claude .McDonald was artificer: Eva M. Brewer was wagoner. Oliver M. 
Tichenor, of Princeton, was commissioned adjutant of the One Hundred and 
Sixty-first Indiana Regiment, commanded by Col. W. T. Durbin, afterwards 
governor of Indiana. This regiment spent a good part of its time of service 
in Havana, but was not in any engagement. 

The One Hundred and Fifty-ninth Regiment was formed of the First 
Regiment of Infantry. Indiana National Guard, and was composed of com- 
panies from Vincennes, Terre Haute. New Albany. Washington. Evansville, 



GIB \ l V. [NDIAN \. _•_'., 

hdale, Madison, Brownstown, Bloomington, Greencastle ami Prino 
The regiment arrived at ( amp Mount, Indianapolis, on April jo. 1898, under 
orders from the governor, for tin- purpose of being mustered into the service 
of the United Stair-. The same care was used in the physical examin 
df this regiment a- obtained in other regiments, and the) weir mustered into 
the volunteer service of the United State- on May [2th. The regiment left 
Camp Mount on May 22d, ami arrived at Camp R. V Uger, Dunn Loring, 
Virginia, on May 24th. Broke camp at Camp Alger on Uigusl 3d, ami 
marched l>.\ easy stages to rhoroughfare Gap, Virginia, a distance of fort) 
Left there on August 28th, ami moved by rail to Camp Meade, near 
Middletown, Pennsylvania, where they arrived August 29th. Under orders 
for the muster out of the regiment, the) left Meade camp on September 1 tth. 
arrived at Camp Mount on the [3th, and were furloughed tor thirtv days. 

regiment was mustered out on \ T ovember 23, 1 s. 



CHAPTER XVI. 

THE UNDERGROUND RAILROAD IN GIBSON COUNTY. 

One of the most interesting topics of the early history of Gibson county, 
and one which lias never been written, is the "underground railroad," which 
passed through the count}' from south to north in the days before and during 
the Civil war. The underground railroad, in brief terms, was an avenue of 
escape, a svstem of "stations," or friends, extending from the slave state.- into 
Canada. A negro was transported from one station to another under the 
protection of the different station masters, who incurred great risks and 
many narrow brushes with death, in their desire to serve the cause of abolition. 
Not only from the slave owners in pursuit did the runaways and the station 
masters have to fear, but from a class of Northerners termed "wolves," who. 
in order to gain the reward offered for the return of escaped negroes, would 
endeavor to apprehend the fleeing men. There were many avenues of escape 
running during the fifties and sixties, and many and diverse were the methods 
used to smuggle the negroes to the Canadian line. Once in that neutral 
territory, they were safe from pursuit. One of these lines extended through 
Gibson count)-, and there were two stations known to have existed here, the 
principal one being three miles northwest of the city of Princeton, just below a 
big hill, at the home of David Stormont; the other station being in the Car- 
rithers neighborhood east of Princeton, the home of John Carithers. There 
was also another small relay station <mv mile west of Patoka. kept by David 
Hull. 

In the history of the underground railroad, written just after the war by 
William Still, a colored anti-slavery worker, reference is made to the station 
kept by David Stormont. It is in the story of Seth Concklin, who nobly 
sacrificed his life to aid the wife and kindred of Peter Still, a slave who had 
bought his own freedom, but whose dearest possessions were yet in bondage, 
to escape by the underground railroad route. The plan proposed by Concklin 
was a hazardous one, and he undertook to execute it alone, with consequent 
failure. He and his charges were captured after they had proceeded as far 
north as Yincennes. Indiana, twenty-five miles north of Princeton. To Will- 
iam Still several letters were written by Concklin during his attempt to escape 



GIBSON I OUNTY, INDIANA. -'-'5 

with Peter Still's wife antl relatives. One of these missives refers directly 
to David Stormont, although the letter has the name written as "Stormon." 
The letter follow 

"Princeton, Gibson < ounty, 1ml.. Feb. t8, 1851. 

"To W'ni. Still:— The plan i- t> ' ana. la. on the Wabash, opposite 

:t. There are four routes to ( anada. < »ne through Illinois, commenc- 
and below Uton; one through to north Indiana, ami the Cincinnati 
route, being the largest route in the United States. 

"I intended t" have gone through Pennsylvania, but the risk going up the 
Ohio mer has caused me to go t" Canada. Steamboat traveling is universally 
condemned; though many go in boats, consequent) mam get l'»t. < i"in;4 in 
a skiff is new. and is approved <>t' in my ease. After I arrive at the mouth 
of the Tennessee river, I will go up the (thin seventy-five miles, t.. the mouth 
nf the Wabash, then up the Wabash, forty-four miles to New Harmony, 
where 1 shall go ash. ire by night, and go thirteen miles east, t" ( iharles < rrier, 
a tanner 1 colored man 1, w hi 1 will entertain ns, and next night convey u 
teen miles t. . David Stormon, near Princeton, who will lake the command, 
and 1 will he : 

"David Stormon estimates the expenses from his house to Canada at 
dollars, without which, no sure protection will he given, ["hey might 
he instructed concerning the course, and beg their way through with, nit an) 
money. If you wish t.> do what should he done, you will send me lift 
lars, in a letter, !.■ Princeton, Gibson county, hula., s. . as 1,1 arrive there bj 
the Nth. .f March. Eighl days should be estimated for a letter i from 

Philadelphia. 

"The money t.> he State Bank of Ohio, or State Hank, or Northern 
Bank of Kentucky, '>r any other eastern hank Send no notes larger than 
twenty dull. 

half of my time has been used in trying to find persons t.. as^i-i. 
when I may arrive mi the Ohio river, in which I have failed Stormon. 

"Having no letter of introduction t" Stormon from any ^nri. 
which I could fully rely. I traveled twn hundred miles around, to find "tit his 
stability. I have found many Abolitionists, nearly all who have made propo- 
. which themselves would not comply with, and nobody else would. 
Already I have traveled over three thousand miles. Two thousand and four 
hundred by steamboat, two hundred by railroad, one hundred by stage, four 
hundred mi foot, forty-eight in a skiff. 

"1 have vet live hundred miles t.. go i" the plantation, I" commence 



226 GIBSON COUNTY, INDIANA. 

operations. I have been two weeks on the decks of steamboats, three nights 
out, two of which I got perfectly wet. If I had had paper money, as McKim 
desired, it would have been destroyed. I have not been entertained gratis at 
any place except Stormon's. I had one hundred and twenty-six dollars when 
I left Philadelphia, one hundred from you, twenty-six mine. 

"Telegraphed to station at Evansville, thirty-three miles from Stormon's, 
and at Vincennes, twenty-five miles from Stormon's. The Wabash route is 
considered the safest route. No one has ever been lost from Stormon's to 
Canada. Some have been lost between Stormon's and the Ohio. The wolves 
have never suspected Stormon. Your asking aid in money for a case properly 
belonging east of Ohio, is detested. If you have sent money to Cincinnati. 
v in should recall it. I will have no opportunity to use it. 

"Seth Concklin. Princeton. Gibson County, Ind." 

However, as has been stated before, the worthy Concklin failed in his 
mission to get his negroes to the Canadian line. Concklin was placed in jail, 
whereupon he wrote to David Stormont to get funds for bail. A report 
afterward circulated, and found to be reasonably true, was to the effect that 
a man was found drowned, with his hands and feet in chains and his skull 
fractured. This was Seth Concklin. 

In his book. "Looking Back from the Sunset Land," Rev. N. R. Johnston 
has written a very interesting narrative of his observation of Seth Concklin 
and his party. He write- . 

"In fulfillment of presbyterial appointments I was at Princeton preach- 
ing two or three Sabbaths the latter part of March and the first of April. 
Earlv in the week before my last Sabbath there, Mr. David Stormont came 
to my lodging place ( Elder Robert Stormont's) and told me that Seth Conck- 
lin and the four escaped slaves were at his house, having recently arrived 
safely from Alabama. Of course I accepted Mr. Stormont's invitation to 
ride with him to ^ee his guests. They all were well, though tired and sleepy, 
and all were anxious about their safety as they knew that though they were 
now in a free state they were not free from the danger of being captured and 
taken back to slavery again. They had arrived the night before, having been 
conducted 1>v '.he colored man, Charles Grier. Mr. Concklin gave me a 
warm welcome and was somewhat cheerful. With the others I soon became 
acquainted, though the two sons and the young daughter were reserved and 
diffident, having had no other school than the slave plantation. Mrs. Still, 
'Aunt Vina,' was quite free in conversation. She was manifestly a woman 
of great natural ability and of rare common sense. I spent the day and the 



GIBSON C0UN1 V. INDIANA. -'-'7 

evening with the fugitives and their rescuer and from them learned the whole 
. of their flight and journey. To me it was intensely thrilling, and I am 
-lire that it would be the same to the reader if I could give il at length and 
with all its incidents a- narrated by the fugitives. Ml I ran .1.. is to give the 
merest outline as told i" mi thai the reader may know how the escape 
was effected. 

"At Cincinnati Mr Concklin bought a large skiff and took it with him 
on board an ( >hio steamer, ami afterwards up tin- Tennessee river to Florence, 
Alabama, m.t far fr<>m the plantation where the slaves were. Here, under 
tin- assumed name of .Miller, he busied himself inquiring for work and. repre 

ting that he was a miller, as he once had been, he tried to explain to the 
inquisitive why he had brought a skiff with him. In his meanderings he went 
to t!ie plantation, and t" the shoe shop by the wayside, where "in- "i' the shves 
was the cobbler for the others. Concklin needed some shoe mending done 
and tluis he had an opportunity and without suspicion t" obtain desirable in- 
formation as t" localities, for the time was near when, according i" the 
pointment that bad been made by Peter Still and h>s wife, he musl go l" visit 
her in the night. When the hour came Concklin was there 'sharp.' \fter 
waiting a while in the tolerably dark night, a colored woman approached 
quietly accompanied by one of her sons (no doubt) timidly. In subdued 
voices they spoke to one another How could Aunt Vina km>w that this 
man was the very one that her husband had sent from Philadelphia to conduct 
her and her children "tit of the house of bondage? I will tell the reader, but 
in my own won e told me that afternoon at the house of David Stor- 

mont. ': 'When my husband was about t" leave me to go back to 

Philadelphia, I took "ti the cotton cape I had en and gave il to him. It had 
a hole in "lie corner. 1 the man that is to c 

ns and tell him to bring it hark to me. and when I get the cape and find the 
hole in it I'll he sure thai he is the right man."' Mid a- -he told me this 
incident she went t" her bundle of clothes and brought tl -aid to 

me : 'See there, sir ; there is the h< ile,' shi >w ing it ti i me : and then she added : 
'Then I knew all was right and I was glad.' 

"Their interview was necessarily brief. Concklin told the woman what 

lo and when to bring the children to join him in the boat. Thev cami 
the appointed time and place and were s,„,n rowing down the Tennessee river. 
When daylight came and when the\ iple "ii the shore who might - 

■ that they were fugitives thev laid down in the boat ~, , that they could 
not he seen from the land. At "tie place some men on the shore shouted t>> 



228 GIBSON COUNTY, INDIANA. 

the boatman to stop. He did not obey the order, but rowed on the more 
stoutly. The fellows on shore then tired guns at the boat, but the God of 
the oppressed preserved those in the skiff from harm. Passing out into the 
Ohio and thereon up to the mouth of the Wabash, they rowed up this stream 
to New Harmony, and then carried out their plan as written in the letter to 
William Still. 

"The night that I lodged at Mr. Stormont's Mr. Concklin and 1 slept in 
the same room and conversed until a late hour about things in which we both 
were interested, and we were not forgetful that the house might be sur- 
rounded at any hour of the night by a posse of pursuers of fugitive slaves. 

"That was probably the last time that Seth Concklin ever slept on an 
ordinary bed. The next day duty called me away and 1 bade good-bye to 
the fugitives and their faithful friend and guide. Shortly after they were 
all on the highway towards Canada. 

"What happened after their departure from Mr. Stormont's was not 
known except from unreliable reports from published telegrams and from 
Seth Concklin's letter to David Stormont, written after Concklin had been 
dodged in prison. Probably the reader may understand the situation at this 
time if I here copy a brief extract from a letter I wrote from Evansville. Indi- 
ana, to William Still under the date of March 31. 185 1. 

" T think it was twenty-three miles above Vincennes, Indiana, where 
they were seized by a party of men and lodged in jail. Telegraphic dis- 
patches were sent all through the South. I have since learned that the 
marshal of Evansville received a dispatch from Tuscumbia to look out for 
them. By some means he and the master, so says report, went to Vincennes 
and claimed the fugitives, chained Mr. Concklin and hurried all off. As soon 
as he was cast into prison Mr. Concklin wrote to David Stormont at Princeton 
to find bail. As soon as he received the letter and could get away, two of us 
were about setting off to render all possible aid when we were told they all 
had passed south a few hours before, through Princeton, Mr. Concklin in 
chains. What kind of process was had, if any, I know not. I immediately 
came down to this place and learned that they had been put on a steamboat at 
three p. m. I did not arrive until six. Now all hopes of their recovery are 
gone.' 

"After the letter from which this is extracted was written, additional 
facts were learned that threw some light on the dark tragedies. I communi- 
cated some of them to William Still, and this letter also he published in his 
book which came out nearlv twenty years afterwards. T did not hear of the 



\ IV. [NDIANA. -'-') 

capture of the fugitives until Mr. Stormont came into town and informed me 
of the sad intelligence. This was sometime on Saturday. Nothing could be 
done for the prisoners until .hut the Sabbath, when I was expected to 
preach. Besides, Mr. ( oncklin's letter had said that the trial was fixed for 
Thursday of the week following. Accordingly we made arrangements to go 

\ incennes a- soon as the Sabbath was over, thai we might do all in our 
power ti i rescue the captr 

"Early on Monday morning Mr. Stormonl and I were seated in the 
buggy and the lines in his hand, ready to set ou1 from Princeton on our 
errand of rescue as we tried to hope, when a friend came hurriedly to inform 
us that we need not .^<> as, on the da) before, the captured party had all been 
taken through the town, going south in charge "i" the United States marshal 
from Evansville, and accompanied by the slave owner, McKiemon, from 
Alabama. Afterwards, the following farts were learned. The tele-ram 
that had been sent from Evansville into the South had been read by Mc- 

rn. .11. who hastened t" go for his chattels. Taking the United Stales 
officer with him from Evansville, lie hurried to Vincennes and claimed his 
slaves. They wei en up t" him and into the possession oi the marshal 

without any trial whatever. The law was obeyed to the letter and the per- 
sons surrendered 'on the claim of him to whom such s tr \icc or labor is due.' 

ncklin was handcuffed bj the marshal and put mto the stage coach with 
tlie colored people, and behind the coach rode in their own carriage the slave 
owner and the marshal. They left Vincennes on Sabbath morning and 
reached Princeton in time for dinner While the master was m the hotel 

ng, the prisoners were retained in the stage under guard and with 

' ; and then tluy all hurriedly drove on to Evansville. 
"As I wa-; expected to preach in St. Louis the next Sabbath and as I 
believed it my duty to do everything possible to prevenl tin- dragj die 

fugitives hack into bonds, antl if possible to save ] r Concklin from chains. 

and from the awful fate which seemed to await him if carried into Uaba 
l>\ the bloodhounds who had caught him. I hastened to take the morning 

„ r e for Evansville in tin- hope that I might reach the city before the 
parture of the captives and their captors. It was my purpose to hasten to 
employ an attorney and have writs issued for the reli the captives who 

had been brought away from Vincennes without any trial whatever. But I 
was to., kite. Three hours before ni\ arn\.d all the parly had departed 

ml. ...at f..r Paducah, a town at the mouth of the Tennessee river. That 
same night 1 t....k the first steamer going down tin- river, and still hoping that 



23O GIBSON COUNTY, INDIANA. 

possibly if I could reach Paducah before the departure of the company I 
might do something for the friendless captives. Vain hope! An hour be- 
fore my arrival at Paducah the master and his slaves had taken the stage for 
Florence, Alabama. I could do nothing. But what of Seth Concklin? My 
boat was detained an hour or two, so that I had time to go ashore and make 
inquiries of some colored men lain. 'ring on the wharf. They told me what 
they had heard the people say and' from what T learned afterwards I believed 
that thev were partly correct, as we will soon see. The United States marshal 
had gone down to Paducah, still having in his charge the slaves and Mr. 
Concklin. The passage was in the night. The officer sat up in guard of the 
captives, Concklin still handcuffed. Reports said that after the boat lam led 
at Paducah, and while it was yet night, the marshal fell asleep or had asked 
McKiernon to guard his prisoner while he would sleep. It was reported 
moreover that when the marshal returned to where he left Concklin the latter 
was gone. McKiernon told the officer that while he (McKiernon) was 
watching he fell asleep and on awakening saw that the manacled man was 
missing. No one had seen anything of him. When morning came search 
was made and the dead body of the man, yet in his chains, was found in the 
river. On the side of his head was a very severe wound, probably a broken 
skull. The body was taken to a sand hank on the shore, not far distant, and 
buried in his clothes and irons as before death. All kinds of conjectures and 
reports were afloat. Having learned all I could possibly in the short time I 
had, I returned to my steamer and went on to St. Louis. On landing I 
hastened to find the vessel which had brought the fugitives from Evansyille 
to Paducah and sought an interview with the officers to learn what I could 
from them. As the boat was owned by Northern men, I felt free to converse 
with the officers, though while the boat lay at the wharf at Paducah waiting 
for tin- morning nearly all the officers were asleep except the clerk, so that he 
was almost the only one who could tell me anything reliable. He had seen 
nothing of the parties after a late hour of the night, until in the morning after 
the man in irons was missing: but he told me what he had seen and heard 
after that time. One of the reports or opinions expressed was that Concklin 
(known by the name of Miller) had jumped overboard to drown himself 
rather than be taken to Alabama to fall into the hands of slave holders or 
Southerners. Another was that he had jumped into the water in the expecta- 
tion of wading or swimming ashore, even though wearing heavy manacles, 
but that in leaping to the water he had been struck accidentally on the head. 
the blow causing death. A third supposition, or rather suspicion, was that 



GIBSON COUNTY, INDIANA. 231 

during tin- short time that Miller was guarded b\ McKiernon, the master, the 
latter had struck tin- hated man a fatal blow on the head, and i ln.11 had thrown 
him overboard and that to avoid suspicion in the morning he had told the 
marshal that while on guard he had fallen asleep and that on awakening he 
had discovered that Miller was gone. \m of these reports might haw been 
true, as Miller was kept upon the hurricane deck where no other person was 
at night except his guard, But after learning all I could and after the friends 
of Seth Concklin in Philadelphia had sent a deputation to Paducah to ascer- 
tain all possible a> to hi- death and burial, I regarded the last opinion as the 
most plausible. The following facts led to t h i - belief. It was said, but upon 
what authority I < !■ ■ n< >t remi that McKiernon had promi ed to pa; the 

United State- marshal one thousand dollars on condition thai he would 
turn the fugitives and the man Miller at South Florence, Alabama. As al 
Paducah Miller wa> found dead, and as the four -lave- were m the possession 

the master in his own state, he had no more need of the marshal, who now 
returned to lie. Rep .moreover thai McKiernon and the mar- 

shal had quarreled about the money promised, the former 1 

tuse Miller had ii"t been returned according t>> contract : tin- probably had 
ii"t been written. Then the supposition was inferred that in order t" 
have revenge upon the man who had taken away In- property, and to 
rid <>i the payment of the one thousand dollar-, he had taken a bludgeon or 

ething and had struck the fatal blow on the head <>\ Miller, and then 
threw him overboard, expecting n> escape detection a- all were fast asleep 
and none could testify to the fact- which would condemn the murderer." 

Were all of the experiences of David Stormonl available for publica- 
tion, they would form a chain of thrilling narrative with true dramatic 

lity. But, unfortunately, many of these incident- have been lost, and 
there remain l>ut few scattering tali rding the days when Stormont 

kept a station house, and relayed runaway negroes t ward the not 

The log home ,.f David Stormont was continually watched b) sus- 
picious slave owner- who had come North in pursuit of their negroes, and 
al-o the wolves, the Christian wolves a- they were (ailed, hovered near the 
Stormont premis damaging evidence against the station keeper. 

When returning from church Stormont was often conscious of men follow- 
ing him at a discreet distance. \nd it was well for the men that the 
oh-. retion in their movements, a- it wa« the habit of Daniel Storn 

to 1 -in along with his Bible when he went to church, and could 

one as readily as the other. Mr-. Stormonl kept ttle of boiling water 



232 GIBSON COUNTY, INDIANA. 

at hand constantly, with which she intended to blind anybody who attempted 
to enter their home. 

While wandering- about in the woods nearby one day David Stormont 
Stepped over the brow of a hill and perceived in the valley below a group of 
men, Southerners, with their horses picketed near them. Their close prox- 
imity tn his home could mean but one thing- — that his house was being 
watched at night, if not even in danger of an open attack. Hurrying home, he 
apprised his wife of the danger, and the two made preparations tn resist. 
All through the night Stormont sat at an open window, with his guns at 
hand, and his wife with him to load them as fast as he tired. Xo attack was 
made, hut the howling and barking of the dogs on the outskirts of his farm 
all night was evidence conclusive that men prowled around all through 
the night hours. 

Slave hunters frequently stopped at Stormont's and inquired as to 
his help to runaways. He replied invariably that lie would "clothe the 
naked, and feed the hungry." Indeed he did this and more. To obtain 
provisions and clothes for the negroes without arousing suspicion was a 
delicate task. A pair of shoes one place, trousers at another, and small 
purchases of foodstuffs at different stores was the only way he could be 
reasonably sale from exposure. He always sent his visitors to Vincennes, 
with instructions to look for Sugar Loaf Hill, where the next station 
might be found. Often Mr. Stormont kept the slaves at his home for 
several days, and when he did he let them work on his acres. One time 
several negroes were working in the fields when their master passed by 
the road running alongside, and at another time two negroes were in Stor- 
mont's back yard, when the master called at Stormont's front door for 
a drink of water. Often spies came, generally one or two colored men and 
■ me white man, pretending that they were escaped from the South. Stormont 
was a man of strong intuition and deep insight into characters; deception 
was an open book to him: and it was seldom or never that these spies were 
successful in learning anything of him. 

To men of Stormont's type there is due much consideration fur the 
brave and charitable part they played in the drama of those times. The) 
received no remuneration for their services, only the knowledge that they 
were serving a noble cause. The work was dangerous, but not too dan- 
ferous for them to undertake, willingly and energetically. 



GIBSON COl N I'Y. INDIAN V. 233 

\N EXCITING -I WE HI \l niWARTED BY BURSTING BOMBS 

lii the "Pioneer Histor) of Indiana," b) Col. William M. Cockrum, oi 
Oakland City, Indiana, the following narrative is taken: "Some time lat< 
in the summer of 1852 a man rode hurriedl) into Princeton, [1 covered 

with dust and his horse in Mich a lather of sweat it showed evidence ol hard 
riding. Tied to the back of his saddle were a large whip and several 
cords, and hanging to the horn were several pairs of handcuffs, and a brace 
of heav) revolvers beited around his waist outside his dust) coat. Altogether 
he was a fierce-looking fellow. 

"Dismounting, he tied his horse to the court-yard rack and, hurrying to 
the south door of the old courthouse, put on the bulletin board a notice 
of three runaway n< | iffering a reward of five hundred dollars for their 

capture. After doing this he inquired for the best tavern and had his 
how taken i" the liver) stable. He made inquir) if there was any 
win. would be willing t" help capture runawaj Some time after he gol 

to the tavern two gentlemen who were always boasting oi the many times 
they had engaged in such work, called on him, offering their services to help 
him catch the runaways. The slave owner inquired about their experience 
in such business and they informed him that they had been in many such 
hunts lie told them the) would do and if he got the negroes he would 
divide the reward, which was offered between five men: thai all he wanted 
was their help in catching the rascals. fe asked them who the other 
three men would be. There were several names mentioned to him oi 
those who would be of good help in such an undertaking. They mutually 
agreed on the three men. when he enjoined them to secrec) Only th< 

in the raid should know anything about what the) intended to do. 
After this was arranged, it was agreed the first tw 1 men should come back to 
the tavern not later than four o'clock, to let him know if the three 1 

ild be depended on to go. B) that time he could secure som< 

led rest ami they would mature a plan of action for the coming night. 

"The sine owner -aid that he fell cet h< runaways would pass 

somewhere near Princeton during the early part of the night, and aim to 

- the Patoka nvtr and gel a- far on toward White river as they could 

before daylight lie th iughl 1; ird one or two bridges over the 

Patoka, and should they fail in capturing them he would organize a p 

and picket White river at ever) point where it was thought likely they could 

Pulling a -mall map from his pocket and looking over it for a short 



234 GIBSON COUNTY^ INDIANA. 

time, he pointed (Hit a route which he thought most likely they would follow. 
He pointed to Wheeling (KirksvilleJ as the place where he thought they 
would try to cross tne i'atoka river, and said that he would go to that point 
with the five men selected and natch that bridge. 

"He authorized the two men if the)- could rind any reliable persons 
to guard the Columbia bnuge. for them to do so, as it might be possible 
that they would go that way. Bidding the two men good bye. he asked them 
to be prompt and report at the time named. 

"that the reader may understand, 1 will state that the slave-hunting 
bullies had made themselves so obnoxious to many good people in and 
around Princeton, that this bogus slave hunt was inaugurated to teach them 
a needed lesson. the pretended slave owner was none other than an anti- 
slavery spy, and he had five confederates who were well acquainted' with the 
country and the people. The ones selected to guard the Wheeling bridge 
were the most offensive one.- in that business. 1 he anti-slavery con- 
federates had eight heavy bombs made at Kratz & Heilman's factor) in 
Evansville, which would hold about three pounds of powder, each with a 
screw attachment so that a time fuse could be put into the powder. 

"As soon as it was dark the rive men, earning the bombs, started two 
lmurs ahead id' the brave negro catchers. The first two bombs were placed 
near the side of the road in a deep hollow about two and a half miles north- 
cast of Princeton, the next two were placed about three-fourths of a mile 
from the Wheeling bridge, ami the other four, two on each side of the bridge 
about sixty or seventy yards away. A man was left at each station to tire 
the fuse at the proper time, and the extra man nearly a hundred yards from 
the bridge down the river to command an imaginary battalion. These bombs 
were the real thing fur a great noise. 

"At four o'clock the two men were cm hand and had the names of 
three men who would go out and watch the Columbia bridge; also said 
that the other men of their part)' would lie read)- at any time set for the 
start. The slaveowner said that he did not care to see the three men who 
were tn go t>> tlie Columbia bridge, as he thought they had but little chance 
<>i success, and he authorized the two men to see that they went, and for 
them and the other three of their party tn meet him on the north side of 
the seminary at one hour after night and they would go to the Wheeling 
bridge. 

"The partv all assembled on time and then took the Wheeling road to 
the northeast for the bridge. There had been an agreed signal between 



GIBSON CHUN IV. 1MM \N \. 235 

the pretended slave owner and his confederates with the bombs, so he could 

ite their places, and when tin- bridge-watching part) gol to the deep hol- 
low, Indian creek, .1 deep, loud voice some way to one side said, 'Who g< 
there?" The men stopped and listened for some time, but nothing more 
was heard. Ihe leader turned t" his pi >sse and said, 'Did yi >u lei it be known 
thai we were going on this hum?' Tiny all said that the) had not. lie 1 

und and called several times, but there was no response. 

"The) then rode ahead and alter passing ame t<> where 

the second station was located, when from ■ nil "t the woods t" one side ol 

the road, in a deep sounding voice, came the second challenge, 'Who goes 

there?' The party stopped and the leader said in a loud voice, 'Who are 

1, that yon demand who we are?' lie waited for some time, hut then 
was 11 . in. >re sound heard. The leader, after locating the place well, turned 
to his men and asked if the) thought it could he possible that the abolition- 
• would attempt t" defeat their plans. They all said they did nol think 
they had" any idea of their movements. The leader said ii was strange 
indeed that they should have been twice stopped b\ such an uneartl ind. 

"The) rode on in silence t" the bridge, crossed over it and went on 
watch "ii the north side, keeping their horses close at hand so the) could 
ni' Mint, if they needed to, in a moment, as the slaveowner told them the 
slaves would run and that there were two desperate characters 111 the lot. 
The brave slaveowner had them watch closely, lie would walk up and down 
both hanks of the river, pretending t" he watching everything. Finally he 

le running up the hank and said. 'Boys, get "ii your horses. 1 am cer 
something going on. I heard a noise as of men slipping through 
tlie brush.' ^t this time one of his confederates called out, 'Halt! Dismount; 
let two men hold the horses; gel int.. line Shoulder amis!' \t this 
tiii' near the horses went off. The leader called. '' 

er the bridge, boys; the abolitionists will blow it down.' \t this another 
led near them. This put the horses in a fearful panic and I 
went across the bridge at a great gait. 

1 the two bombs "ti the south side exploded. The men were <>n the 

ind it was a half mile before the leader could stop them. Shaming them 
for such cowardice, they stopped and listened, and hearing n tarched 

• ■ii !'• where the last voice was heard as they went t" the bridge, and v 
listening there when the two bombs at this point were exploded within 
a few feet of I In in. After this there was ii" more halt, and the man who 
tired the two bombs .'it Indian creek said he could ii"t tell that they went 



2^6 GIBSON COUNTY, INDIANA. 

any faster, as the}' were at top speed when they got to him. The leader tried 
to keep up, calling to them to stop. They did not heed him, for they had 
seen and heard enough for one night and ran all the way hack to Princeton. 
"In 1805 a captain of the One Hundred and Forty-third Indiana Regi- 
ment, who for years after the war lived at and near Francisco, Indiana, 
and later moved west, while seated on the capitol steps, at Nashville, Ten- 
nessee, gave me the data for the above story. He said he was never so 
thoroughly frightened in his whole life as when the big bombs commenced 
to go off; it sounded as though the infernal regions had broken loose. Who 
the live men were who had charge of the bombs he never could learn, but 
always believed that they lived in the Stormont and Carithers neighborhood 
northeast of Princeton. There is one fact certain, as he expressed it, it 
broke him of 'sucking eggs', and if any of the other four men ever at- 
tempted to catch a runaway negro afterwards, he never heard of it." 

KIDNAPPING CASES. 

The following extracts are taken also from Colonel Cockrum's "Pioneer 
1 1 istory of Indiana" : 

In the fall and. winter of 1863 I had the misfortune to he an inmate 
oi Libby prison hospital with a wound made by a minie ball through my hip. 
There were at that time about one thousand Federal officers, from the rank 
of brigadier-general down to second lieutenant, in that prison. Among that 
number was Col. W. McMackin, of the Twenty-first Illinois, the regiment 
with which General Grant went into service. ********* 
He learned where I lived and that the town of Princeton was near my home, 
and in talking together he related to me this strange story which took place 
some twenty-live years before: 

He said he had gone to Princeton, Indiana, to meet Hiram Hunter, and 
had been there for quite a time doing some school work in the old brick semi- 
nary which stood on the hill, under Hunter or some other persons whom Hun- 
ter assigned to give him lessons in theology. During the time he was there 
he went out with the ministers to different churches in the country sur- 
rounding Princeton and heard the old ministers preach. At one time he 
attended a camp meeting some miles southwest of Princeton. There were 
main- preachers and thousands of persons in attendance. While attending 
one of these meetings eight or ten miles southwest of Princeton there was 
a lengthy service at night and during the time lb- meeting was going on 
there was some rain and quite a flurry of wind. After the meeting was 



GIBSON i "l \ I V. IM'I WW. 237 

Hiram Hunter, who was in attendance, was invited by a gentle 
man \\li" lived near n> go home with him to spend the night. The Colonel, 
through Hunter, was also invited. They were all on horseback and Mr. 
Knowlton (no doubt Knowles) had his wife on the same horse lack of him. 
[*hey had gone some distance from the church when the) found the 1 
completer) blocked b) the top of a tree which had fallen. They all dis- 
mounted and crept around the tree top On coming to the road on the 
• >tlier Mile they found a covered wagon which was stopped by the blockade. 
1 tn coming up to it a man was seen standing in the road. Mr. Hunter was 
in t'l-i'tit and asked the man how he came then' with a covered wagon at 
h a time at night. The man answered him by saying that it was none of 
his business. Mr. Hunter was a determined man and it did not take much oi 
this sort "i thing t" raise his anger. He said, "1 spoke to you as a gentle- 
man and your answer shows that you are an ill-bred cur. I am now satis- 
tied that there is something wrong about you, and before we go any farther 
we will investigate." \t this point another man appeared, who had been 
cutting a road around the other side "t" the tree and demanded to know 
what the trouble was. Mr. Hunter told him that there was no trouble, 
lmt the) thought there* was something wrong and intended to know what 
it was. At tin- the man with the axe said that the lir-t man who attempt- 
ed i" lay hand-- on the wagon would lose hi- lite. As quick as thought one 
of tin- stalwart -on- "i Mr. Knowlton, who were with the campmeeting party, 
ight the axe and wrenched it <>nt of the threatening fellow's hand. The 
■ r man attempted to aid hi- partner, when the senior Mr. Knowlton 
laid him <>n hi- hack in the road. The two boys tied the man they had and 
the father and Mr. Hunter drew the arm Mian who wa- knocked down 

behind hi- hack, and Mr. Mc.Mackin tied them hard and fast with his 
handkei I he night was cloudy, but there was a moon, ami it wa- not 

dark. The timber was thick on each side of the narrow n 

that they could nol see t<> any advantage. Matches at that time were not 
Mr. Knowlton told "tie of hi- -"ii- to take hi- mother home, 
and brii some material to make a torch The young man wa- soon 

hack with flint, steel and punk, and in short time they had a flaming torch. 
In the wagon they found a negro man and woman with their hands tied. 

r under the bottom of the wagon and a rope was 

tied of their month- They were -..on liberated, bu) it wa- some time 

Id -land or talk The) -aid they lived in Illinois, some 

mill of Vincennes, Indiana, and thev had 1- the 



238 GIBSON COUNTY. INDIANA. 

latter part of the night before and had been gagged most of the time. They 
further said that they had crossed the Wabash at Alt. Carmel on the ferry; 
that they were free negroes and that these two men had come to their 
cabin the night before, after they had gone to bed, pretending to be lost, 
and asked the privilege of feeding their team near the house, saying they 
would sleep in their wagon, but if the negro woman would get them a good 
supper they would give her a silver dollar. She did so. Sometime after 
midnight thev knocked at the door, saying they were cold in the wagon, and 
asking permission to lie on the floor. The door was opened and they caught 
and tied and put them in the wagon, nearly twenty-four hours before they 
were liberated. 

The wagon was turned; the two kidnappers were made to walk behinl 
it, guided by Hunter and Knowlton. One of the boys drove the team and 
they were soon home. After getting into the house they had an informal 
examination. The two negroes told the same story that they did at the 
wagon. The man knocked down was the first interrogated. He was very 
insolent and said he would make it dear business to them for stopping him 
and meddling with his property; that the two negeroes were his, and he had 
a description of them which he showed. He said they had run away from 
southern Kentucky about two years before. The other kidnapper would not 
say anything. The stories of the negroes were believed, and it was decid- 
ed to hold the men until morning and take all of them to Princeton where 
legal proceedings would be brought. 

The first cabin of this family was .standing in the yard. A pallet was 
made down on the floor, and the kidnappers were put on it. There were 
110 windows and but one door which was fastened with a rope on the outside. 
The boys volunteered to occupy a room not more than ten feet away and 
guard the door. Somehow these outlaws untied each other and got out at the 
top of a wide, low chimney and made a break for the stables to get the 
horses, hut the boys with their guns foiled them in this and they made a 
rush for the woods nearby, and thus escaped. That was the last these 
people ever heard of them. The next morning it was decided that Mr. 
Knowlton and a neighbor would take the negroes hack to their home. The 
two men were well mounted and armed with long rifles, as everybody was 
in those davs. Thev soon got started, the negroes driving the wagon. When 
thev arrived in the neighborhood where the negroes lived, they learned that 
the team and wagon had been stolen about three miles north of their cabin, 
and that the negro family had lived in that neighborhood for more than 
twenty years. 



GIBSl IK COUN IV, INDIAN \, 239 

A BLUFF I II \ I I Ml 1:11 Hi WORK. 

\1 >■ -in the year 1851 an old negro man named Stephenson came to ei 
the author'- father, win* was largely interested in farming, t<> have him 

p his boys, one fourteen, one twelve and the other ten years old, for him 
until he could make arrangements to start for Liberia. This im father 
agreed i" do. It was spring time and the boys helped with the work, 
rhings went "ii that season and the old man had no chance to get away 
and work was well under way for the second season. Old man Stephen- 
son had come to this country from South Can. Una with Dr. Samuel Mc- 
Cullough about the middle • •! the forties. He was a free man. but married 

a slave and bought her freedom. They lived in the same neighborh 1 for 

years until his wife died. One evening, just as the work was over for the 
day, the colored boys were doing up the work around the Warn. Two men 

1 up i" the front of the house and called to the author's father, who 
was sitting "ii the porch, saying that they wanted to see him. They told him 
thej ha cription of three colored boys who ware born in South Car- 

a who were slaves, and had called to see him about it. as they had 
learned he had three colored boys working for him. 

These two fellows, no doubt had a confederate in tin. neighborh 1 who 

had them a perfect description of the boys. My father talked to 

them a while, not having the least idea who the) were, and evidentl) the) 
did not know him 01 they would havje been the last fellows to come there on 
such a mission, lie excused himself to go into the house for something. 
Thi 1 for him to return, which he did with his bear gun, "< >ld Vicks- 

m his hands. 
Iliev commenced to plead with him to let there be no difficulty. 
told them that there was not the slightest danger of any trouble. He 
wanted them to see what sort of a machine he guarded the boys with, and 

1 t" them. "I>.i you see that little house?" pointing to a room in our yard" 
"The thri • nd if they are disturbed I will kill fifteen such 

worthless vagabonds as you are before you get them, fugitive law or any 
other law And I want to say before I get mad that you had better 
for \..n ■ int. 1 danger." lie cocked the big gun and -aid. "1 feel it 

con quick." 

They took him at his word and the) went in a hurry, lie waited until 

enty-five yards awa; when he turned loose on them, 

intending to shoot jnsi heir head- \t the crack of that monster 



24O GIBSON COUNTY, INDIANA. 

gun they lay down on their horses' necks and made as good tune as did 
the best mounted F. F. V. when Sheridan's cavalry was after them. 

The boys remained with us for nearly three years before they got away 
tn Liberia, and that was the last we ever heard of the men hunting- for them. 

HOW REUBE OBTAINED HIS FREEDOM — TREACHEROUSLY KIDNAPPED. 

In iNj- William Barrett moved to this state from Tennessee, and settled 
in what is now southwestern Columbia township, Gibson county, Indiana. 
He had formerly lived in the state of South Carolina and moved from 
there to Tennessee in 1804. 

Some years after they reached Indiana a negro man named Reube, who 
had formerly been a slave of Airs. Jacob Sanders, but had been freed for 
having saved his master's life, came on from South Carolina with a re- 
linquishment paper for Airs. Barrett to sign for her part of her father's estate. 
Reube remained for nearly a year; the winter weather was too cold for 
him and he had determined to go back before another winter set in. Tohn 
W. Barrett, a son of William, at that time a large gawky In >\ 1 if ab< ml eighteen 
years old, and six feel eight inches tall, went with Reube on many fishing and 
hunting adventures. When it came time for Reube to start hack. John took him 
over to Princeton and led the hors^ which he had ridden back home. Reube 
intended to go from there to Evansville with the first passing team that went 
that way. 

The act which gave Reube his freedom was a heroic one. There was a 
maniac in that section of South Carolina, who at times became very des- 
perate ami was kept in confinement in such a place as the authorities had for 
that purpose. He was very sly and cunning, and stepping up back of Mr. 
Sanders pinioned his hands behind him and threw him on the ground, and 
with a large knife attempted to cut his throat. Reube being in the garden 
nearby, saw- his master's peril and running up behind the maniac, struck 
him at the butt of his ear with a hoe and felled him to the ground. Air. 
Sanders said, "Reube, from this day on you are a free man and I will at 
once make out your free papers." He told him to stay on the place if he 
wanted to. for as long a time as suited him, and he would pay him for all 
the work he did. The papers were made out and in giving him his free- 
dom, a full history was given, and it was recorded. To make it certain that 
no one would disturb Reube. Air. Sanders had a full history of the case en- 
graved on a gold plate; also had a gold chain attached to the gold plate that 
went around his neck, so that it was easy at any time, if the patrol stopped 



SON COI \ l Y. I MM VNA. -'4 I 

linn, to show the certificate mi the plate. Mr. Barrett's family heard nothing 
.■i Reube for two or three years. Finallj Mr. Sanders wrote i" his niece, 
Mr- Barrett, asking her why Reube did n>'t come back. 

In [83.2 Col James \\ . Cockrum bought the steamboat "Nile," and in- 

l< I to run her up the N a/<>" river ami other small rivers t" bring the 1 

ton out ami earn it t" New Orleans. John W. Barrett, a brother-in-law, 

Jerk of the boat and had charge of the freight. \t one landing 

on the \;i/i"' rner there was a large quantit) of cotton 1-' be loaded and the 

planters were still delivering from their farms. Young Barrett was on the 

\ tallying a> the mate and Week hands were putting the cargo aboard when 
a colored man came mar and said, "Mr. Barrett, don't you know me? 
I am Reube, who hunted with you in Indiana. Don't let mi you know me." 
Barrett did know him ami was .^rt'atl\ surprised at thus meeting him. Fin- 
ally he -.it a chance and t"l<l Reube t" roll a Kale of cotton behind the cabin 

rs. Reube told him that his master was on the hank ami it was 
not safe for them to he seen talking together. I he planter whom Reube 
called his master had a large amount of cotton ami was watching the count 
- ami his slaves were helping i" load it in order that they might 
finish before night. During the loading Barrett had several chances t" 
saj a word t" Reube. There was a wood yard some miles below where 

the boat would stop t" take mi w 1. Reube said he would he down there 

when the 1 "at came, as it would he some h"iirs alter night, ami when the 
boat was rounded t" Reube was ready t<> load wood as soon as it was mi 
sine I. watched his chance ami took Reube down in the hold ami 

reted him there ami looked after him. They got t<> Xew Orleans, un- 
loaded the cotton, ami t""k on a lot of government freight for the upper 
Arkansa- ri ne of the military < .nip' >sts Reube was -till in hiding, 

1 in' hut the elerk being aware of his presence "ii board. 

While thej were unloading the government freight, Barrett went 
tin commander of the fort ami told the histor) of Reube ami all about his 

g kidnapped ami being sold into slaven t<> a Mississippi planter on the 
Yazou run. As fortune would have it. the commander was a N'ew I 
land man and felt indignant at the outrageous treatment the 

ived, ami assured Barrett that he would keep him in his employ at ,u 1 

until he had opportunity t" -nnl him back t" South Carolina, wh 
\Im.ui a year afterward the Barrett family received a letter from 
\lr Sanders telling of Reube's arrival home. John W. Barrett told me in 

1. the last tune hi er in Indiana, thai after he left Reube at Prince- 

(16) 



242 GIBSON COUNTY, INDIANA. 

ton, he hail no opportunity to get away to Evansville until about the middle 
of the next day. lie was making inquiry of some people if they knew of any 
teams which were going to Evansville. Reube was very fond of showing 
his gold certificate of freedom; finally two men told him they were going to 
Evansville that evening, but they could not get away before the middle of 
the afternoon and made an agreement that he could go with them by co< ik- 
ing for them on the road and after they got there. Reube readily agreed to 
this since they told him that they had some thought of going to Tennessee. 
They finally started, and alter staying a day or so at Evansville, which 
was then only a small place, they started on the Tennessee trip. They made 
it convenient to go west in Tennessee and on to Memphis. They told Reube, 
to whom they had been very kind, that in a day or so they would go to North 
Carolina, and in doing so would pass near his home if he wanted to go with 
them, but the next place they went to was the Yazoo river. There they took 
Reube's gold plate and papers from him and sold him to the planter with 
whom Barrett found him. 

MONTGOMERY TO THE RESCUE. 

Harvey Montgomery was the seventh child of Judge Isaac Mont- 
gomery. I was a young boy when 1 knew him best and he was my ideal of 
an upright Christian gentleman. He lived with his father at his home two 
miles southeast of Oakland City, Indiana, until he married. He then settled 
on a quarter section, just north of his father, where he spent his life. 

At one time Harvey and Joseph, who was the third child of Judge 
Montgomery, and a hand working for them named McUeeman. had two 
luads of produce, venison, hams, hides and bear bacon, which they were 
taking to Robert Stockwell at Princeton. Joseph at that time lived on what 
was afterward the Richey farm, about one-half mile west of his father"s. 
He was a very large man and was known far and near as one of the strong- 
est men. physically, who ever lived in that section. 

As they were getting within about two miles of Princeton, and after 
climbing a hill, the} - stopped to let their ox teams rest, when they heard a 
loud noise as of men in a wrangle. Joseph and McDeeman left Harvey with 
the teams and, taking their guns, went to find out what the noise was about. 
When they got ti> the parties making the noise, they found two negroes hand- 
cuffed together and a white man beating "tie of the negroes with a heavy 
stick. 

Montgomery, who was fearless as strong, with McDeeman. rushed up to 



GIBSON CO! N IV. [NDIAN \. 243 

place where the trouble was and asked the man with the club what in 

"hades" he meant b) beating the man with such a bludgeon. There were two 

while men and one of them became verj insulting, telling Montgomerj they 

re beating their own property and it was none of his business. < me of the 

roes cried out, "Oh, thai is Mr. Montgomery. Don't you know me? 1 

am Pete who kept your camp at the B den." 

Montgomery did know him. The bully had the club drawn hack to hit 
Pete, when Montgomery leapt like a panther and hit the fellow at the butt 
of the ear and completely knocked him out. At this, the other kidnapper 
started to draw a large knife, when McDeeman, who was a full fledged 
Irishman, raised his gun and said, "On your worthless life don't move your 
hand. li you so much as bat your eye. I will shoot it out ol your 
head." The) i""k the ke\ away from them, freed the negroes, pul the hand- 
cuffs on the kidnapper-, gave the two negroes the clubs and marched the 
two men up to the wagons and on into Princeton. Montgomery tried to have 
the kidnappers put into jail until court would set. The "1,1 justice be! o 
whom they brought their proceedings was thoroughly in sympathy with 
slavery, and he virtually there made the same decision that Chief Just 
Tane) did thirtj years afterward, ll was as follow-: 

"There i- no evidence that the two men kidnapped the negroes, except 
the statement made by the negn es The evidence of a negro ha- no force in 
rt. which could affect a white man." 

Thev were set at liberty. They were so much elated over being treed 
from ill.- charge that they proceeded to till up with whisky and hunted up 
n and rai-ed a quarrel with him. hut he gave both of them such 
a thrashing that the) were -lad to get away. 

A\ol ii ii< KIDNAPPl NG 01 I '< 

In iSjj two negro men came to what i- now the city of Princeton hunt- 

for work. They hired by (.en. William Hmhrce to work on a farm 

two ,,r three mile- wesl "f Princeton that he owned. They wen good hands 

ami worked on the same farm for two years, living in a -mall log cabin and 

their own culinary work. One of the men could read and write and 

n borrowed 1 ks to read from people in Princeton. When the work 

-on vvas oxer they put in most of their time in hunting I whicl 

w.i- \cr\ abundant. 

The summer's work for thi year vvas over and the men v. 

• ■ hunting. One morning late in the summer some one found tacked on 



244 GIBSON COUN'IY, [NDIANA. 



the cabin door a short note saying they had gone to the Ohio river to cut 
curd wood until the corn would do to gather, and this was the last time they 
were ever seen on the farm. 

Sniiie years later General Embree was in the city of Xew Orleans and 
found these two men working on the levee rolling freight. They told him 
that twu men whom they had seen several times in Princeton, came to their 
cabin early in the evening and handcuffed them and by daylight the next 
morning they were at the Ohio river, which they crossed on a raft inti 
Kentucky, going down t<i Henderson. After waiting a few days a boat 
came and they were carried to Xew Orleans where they were Mild into 
slavery. 

Mr. Embree went to a lawyer and told his story and had proceedings 
brought tn liberate the two negroes. The investigation developed that they 
were sold into slavery to James Lockwell by two men named Absalom Towei 
and Thomas Slaven and they had for more than three years been the prop- 
erty of Lockwell. As no complaint had been made during that time, the 
judge refused to release them. 



As before stated, the foregoing kidnapping stories are from Colonel 
Cockrum's Pioneer History of Indiana. They are reproduced in this publica- 
tion for the purpose of preserving in a history of Gibson count}' a record of 
outrages incident to slavery, perpetrated under the law. and sanctioned by 
the courts of those state-. These stories might be multiplied by the score not 
<>nlv in Gibson county but in almost every county in the state. Under the 
decision of the highest court a negro had no rights that a white man was 
was bound to respect, not even the right of personal possession oi himself 
after he had paid the price. The crimes that were committed under the 
operation of the fugitive slave law. crimes against justice and humanity and 
sanctioned 1>\ courts, higher and lower, is a stain upon the pages of the nation's 
history, a stain that required the blood of multiplied thousands of her best 
citizens to erase, in the resulting civil war. Some of these crimes were com- 
mitted in Gibson count}', and her citizens, in some measure, were ready to 
give consent and encouragement to them. In a much larger measure was 
demanded the blood of some of the best of her sons, as a requital for the sins 
of the fathers. 



( II \l'l ER XVII. 

PATRU 'i' ORDERS 01 GIBS CY. 

After the close of the Civil War the armies, that had fought in thai war 
ssful conclusion, were disbanded and the soldiers returned to their 
homes to resume the vocations of civil life. Bui the fraternal tie that had 
been welded in the fire of battle was not severed by the disbanding of com- 
panies and regiments. There was a spirit of comradeship infused in the 
hearts and lives of those who had touched elbows in the line of battle and 
who lia<l shared in the privations and hardships of the ram]] and weary 
inarch, that was not dispelled by the separation and the laying aside of mili- 
tary equipments. There was a desire to maintain and perpetuate this fra- 
ternity and comradeship, and this desire soon found expression in a move- 
nt t"< t an organization of veterans of the C ivil war. Man) organizations 
of companies and regiments were formed and reunions held in various lo- 
calities, and the enjoyment found in thus meeting comrades suggested a larger 
and more permanent organization of state and national character, From this 
n the Grand Ami) of the Republic had its beginning. 
1 >r B F. Stevenson, a surgeon in the volunteer service, living in Spring- 
field, Illinois, was among the first to suggesl the organization <>i" the Grand 
Army "i the Republic. At iir-t there was little formalit) about the organi- 
■ii i lure was ii" posl or place <>i assembly and very little ceremony in 
the initiation of members. There was simpl) the i grip and 

n and the subscribing to an obligation. While thi nning of 

the Grand Arm) was crude and informal, it suggested the possibilities of a 
rmancnl and effective organization. Ii suggested the idea of a ritual and. 
institution, with rules and regulations and other things necessary for ef- 
■ >rk 
It was sometime during the year t866 thai Dr. Stevenson prepared the 
manuscript for the tir-t ritual, rules and regulations for the Grand Army, on 
the G ivernor Oliver P. Morton, of Indiana. It was through 

the instrumentality of Governor Morton that this was printed and ]>ut into 
shape for effective use, and it was l'ir>t used for the muster and organization 



2.|.6 GIBSON COUNTY, INDIANA. 

of posts in Indiana. The first department organized under this constitution 
was the Department of Indiana. 

An organization of the Grand Army, or rather a start for such an or- 
ganization, was made in Princeton in August, 1866. This organization was 
made in the informal manner already stated. Among those who were in- 
strumental in starting this primitive Grand Army were Col. James T. Embree, 
( apt. William M. Duncan, Capt. Frank Embree, Lieut. Robert M. McMaster, 
the writer of this sketch, and several others. 

It was sometime in the early part of 1867 before there was an effort 
made to organize a post in Princeton under the new ritual and constitution, 
ami the first muster of recruits ami the first post organization was made by 
Major-Gen. Nathan Kimball, then department commander of Indiana. The 
meeting was held in the old court house and there was cptite a large attend- 
ance of the boys, man)- of whom had but recently exchanged their suit qf 
blue for one of civilian style. A good many of those present on this occa- 
sion had taken the obligation under the old form and it was not required of 
them that they should come in by the ritual route. They were entitled to 
seats on the ground floor and enjoy whatever there was of entertainment in 
this first muster of recruits. And there was entertainment in abundance, as 
can be verified by any who were fortunate enough to occupy ground floor 
seats. 

The paraphernalia and necessary appointments for initiation 'ceremonies 
under the old ritual was of a character to make one's hair stand on end if he 
should unexpectedly meet the outfit on a dark night all alone. That old- 
fashioned gable-roof coffin, with the grinning skeleton lying therein, was not 
the most cheerful sight one might desire to see while going through a dark 
and lonely woods. The provisions for muster of recruits under the old ritual 
were intended to be profoundly solemn and impressively scary. This was the 
effect produced sometimes, but not always. Sometimes the effect was other- 
wise and very funny. In this first muster in the old court house the funny 
business prevailed, as will be easily understood by those who remember the 
characteristics of George W. Harrington, at that time a resident of Prince- 
ton. George officiated as one of the guards at this first muster and escorted 
the recruits through the various mysteries of initiation. The recruits, being 
blindfolded, were expected to feel that there was something very solemn 
about the ceremony, especially when they were required to kneel by that coffin. 
But if they could have had a peep through their blinds long enough to have 
seen some of the antics of George Harrington they would have had a differ- 
ent opinion as to the deep solemnity of the occasion. 



GIBSON COUN i V, INDIAN \. -'47 

This first Grand Army post was duly organized in accordance with that 
"M ritual, with I >. Frank Embree as post commander, \Y. M. Duncan as ad- 
jutant. They secured a suitable place t" hold their meetings in a room over 
the Small hardware store, on the east side of the public square, and the order 
prospered for a year "r more, increasing in membership to about one hundred 
and fifty. 

There was quite an interest in the ition ot posts oi the Grand 

\rmv throughout the state and in other states aboul this time and the mem- 
bership of the order increased rapidly during the years [867 and 1868. But 
there was a decline in the year- following and the organization was on the 
wane. I'ln- was largelj on account of polities, which was a predominant 
feature of the order at that time, ami il was intended to he such by those who 
were chiefly instrumental in the formation of its constitution and ritual. It 
was. m fact, largely in control . . 1 -.me who were allied with one of the lead- 
political parties of that time and easily degenerated into a political ma- 
chine, operated and controlled bj designing politicians for selfish purpo 
(•f course such an organization would find no favor among soldiers who 
were inclined to affiliate with any other political party, and was not in the 
favor of many whose sympathies and affiliations were with the party largelj 
controll nization. A secret political organization, however worthy 

its purpose or its individual membership, can never he a permanent success, 
or have the approval of true and loyal American citizens. 

\ few of tin- post- in this and other states maintained their organiza- 
n during these years of decline and these formed the nucleus for the 
iter 1 .rand Army of the Republic that the world knows today. Wiser 
heads gathered in council, a new constitution and ritual, and new regulatii 
were prepared bj which politics was absolutely prohibited in the order. I 
ternity, charity and loyalty were made the cardinal principles, the "broad 
foundation stone on which the order rests." These new rules and regulations, 
with the revised and more sensible ritual, were adopted in the early seventies 
and met with the approval of the intelligent soldier citizens, and from that 
time the Grand Army took on new life. It increased in membership rapidly 
from that time until it became the greatest semi-military organization the 
world has ever known, commanding the respect of citizens regardless of 
part] . treed or nationality. 

1 he Grand Army post in Princeton, organized under the old regulations, 
was affected by the unwise policy that controlled the order and the post went 
into decline about 1868 or 1869. No meetinj held, the records of the 

post were si altered or lost, the paraphernalia of initiation, including the gable- 



248 GIBSON COUNTY, INDIANA. 

roofed coffin with the skeleton, were knocked about in the old post room for 
a time and finally disappeared. And this was the ending of the first Grand 
Army post in Princeton. 

There was one duty, however, that the soldiers of the Civil War had 
taken upon themselves that was not permitted to fall into decline. That was 
the custom of decorating with flowers the graves of deceased comrades on 
the 30th day of May each year. This custom was inaugurated the year after 
the close of the war, by a few of the soldiers and their friends, informally, 
gi ling to the cemetery with baskets of flowers. This became more of a for- 
mal ceremony after the organization of the Grand Army, when there was a 
procession with the band leading to the cemetery. Then a return to the court 
house yard where appropriate speeches were made. When this first Grand 
Army post was disbanded the custom of decorating soldiers' graves was not 
wholly neglected, but for the lack of some organization to take charge of the 
arrangements they were not always as appropriate and seemly as the solem- 
nity of the occasion would require. For instance, the Decoration day serv- 
ices held May 30. 1882. 

On that occasion the following program was carried out: Prayer by 
Rev. J. E. Jenkins; addresses by T. R. Paxton, M. W. Fields, R. M. J. Miller 
and others. Then the procession was formed, headed by the Princeton band, 
and marched to the cemetery where the soldiers' graves were decorated by a 
company of little girls. Then they marched back to the court house square, 
where the procession was disbanded. This was all very well so far. But in 
the evening it is noted that there w-as a lawn festival given on the court house 
square, under the auspices of somebody with more enthusiasm than sense of 
propriety. That this was true was evidenced by a display of fire works, toy 
balloons, and other Fourth of July incidents, as a part of the evening's enter- 
tainment. This sort of entertainment, as a finale to the day set apart as sacred 
to the memory of soldiers who had died for their country, was not the most 
pleasing to their friends. To those who had a proper conception of the day 
this order of hilarity had too much the semblance of the traditional Irish 
wake. 

The impropriety of this manner of observing Memorial day was re- 
marked by all who had a proper conception of its sacred character, and this, 
no doubt, had something to do with turning the thoughts of the soldiers to 
the necessity of reorganizing the Grand Army post. The need of such an 
organization in charge of Memorial day services was plainly evident if the 
purpose for which the day was instituted was to be maintained. So, in the 
latter part of 1882, steps were taken in accordance with this idea. Appli- 



GIBS, in COUNTY, INDIANA. -' I' I 

cation was made to Gen. James R. I arnahan, then the department com- 
mander, for a charter, which was promptlj granted, and an ordei given to 
Major V C. Rosencrans, of Evansville, to muster the post at the convenience 

• i both parties. 

Accordingly, on the night of January [3, 1883, Major Rosencrans, with 
a number of comrades from Farragut Post, Evansville, came to Princeton 
and organized the post with the following charter members: Byron Mills, 
Gil. K. Stormont, James J. Hartin, Theodore M. Bucklin, Silas M. Holcomb, 
Samuel J. Wallace. James A. Sprowl, John I'.. Spencer, Samuel Sterne, 
I rancis M. Grigsby, Solomon \ anna. la. John Turnage, Allien Mills, Henry 
P. Chambers, Joseph R. ^shmead, \le\. II. Anderson, William A. Munford, 
D Hamilton Turner, William J. Cameron, Samuel S. Shannon, Renwick 

1 W Is, James A. Mpwery, \le\. X. Devin, Joseph C. Hartin, Andrew 

I Carithers, Pressly R. Baldridge, John J. Hollis, B. Frank Taylor, Joseph 
I) McClure, A. D. Green, William M. Duncan, William B. Whitsett. 

The objects of the (.ran. I Army, as set forth in its constitution and fully 
subscribed v- by the charter members of this posl and all who have since 
bec< »me members, are : 

First. To preserve and strengthen those kind and fraternal feelings 
which hiixl together the soldiers, sailors and marine-, who united to suppress 
the Rebellion. 

ssist such former comrades in arm- as need help and pro- 
to extend needful aid t" the widow- and orphans of those who 
have fallen. 

Third. To maintain true allegiance to the United State- of America, 

a paramount respect for and fidelity t" the national constitul 
the law-: i' ntenance whatever tend- to weaken loyalty, incites t" 

treason "r rebellion, or in any way impair- thi ncy and 

permanency of our free institutions; and t" encourage the spread "t uni- 
d liberty, equal rights and justice t" all men. 

( Miiccr- wen- elected at this meeting an.l other necessary action taken 

fur a permanent organization. The post was numbered 28, the same as the 

number of the former |>"-t. and chose for it- name and designation Archer 

irtment of Indiana, Grand Army of the Republic. 

The selection of the name of \rehcr Post was most appropriate and 

imendable. William Archer, after whom the post was named, was one 

• ■i the mam m county who responded to the call oi their 

intn m the early period of the Civil war. He enlisted as a private in 
-.. Eightieth Indiana Regiment, and was soon promoted to first 



_>50 GIESoX COUNTY, INDIANA. 

lieutenant of his company. He participated in all the battles and skirmishes 
in which his regiment was engaged during the years 1862 and 1863, and was 
killed in the line of duty at the battle of Resaca, May 14, 1864. His patriot- 
ism and courage were conspicuous and his example as a soldier was worth}- of 
the highest commendation. 

In the manner of William .Archer's death the cardinal principles of the 
Grand Army are most strikingly exemplified. The command to which his 
regiment belonged had just made a very disastrous assault on the Confed- 
erate works lie fore Resaca and was compelled to retire to a place of shelter 
from the enemy's murderous lire. Immediately in front of Archer's regiment 
a comrade of his company was lying seriously wounded and piteously crying 
for water. Archer could not resist the call of his suffering comrade and at 
the risk of his own life went to him with water. It was a fatal mission. A 
deadly minie ball from the enemy's lines pierced his body and in a few mo- 
ments he was numbered with the heroic dead that lay upon the bloody battle 
field of Resaca. Thus he exemplified in his life and in his death the noble 
virtues of fraternity, charity and loyalty, the broad foundation stone upon 
which the order rests. This post honored his memory and honored itself 
when it chose fur its official title and inscribed upon its banner the name, 
"Archer Post". 

The officers of the post who served during the first year were: Gil. R. 
Stormont, post commander; Joseph R. Ashmead, senior vice-commander; 
VV. J. Cameron, junior vice-commander ; W. M. Duncan, quartermaster; Rev. 
A!. M. C. Hobbs, chaplain; Henry P. Chambers, officer of the day; John 
Turnage, officer of the guard; J. C. Hartin, adjutant; Alex N. Devin, ser- 
geant-major; Sol. Yannada, quartermaster-sergeant. 

During the first year after organization a large number of applications 
for membership were received and the muster-in service was a verv prominent 
feature of the regular meetings. The membership of the post was increased 
that year to something near one hundred. The same year posts were estab- 
lished at Fort Branch, Patoka, Oakland City and other places in the county. 

The first Memorial day observance under the auspices of Archer Post 
was a notable one, notwithstanding the rain storm that prevailed during the 
entire day. An elaborate program had been prepared and every arrangement 
made to set a high mark for the proper observance of the day. With a few 
exceptions, these arrangements were carried out in spite of the rain and the 
observance of this da}- w r as a marked success. And this may be said of all 
the Memorial davs since that time. Whether in rain or in sunshine, the 



GIBSON t "i \ • i y, I \'M \N \. 25] 

graves oi soldiers in all adjoining cemeteries have had a tribute of flowers 
from the hands of members of Archer Post. 

\ brief mention le of the incidents pertaining to the history of the 

post -in> i- its organization will be of interest: 

\i a special meeting of the post, Ma) 14. 1883, a flag was presented to 
the Post by William Archer, on behalf of his father, after whom the posl was 
named, ["his was on the anniversary of th< m which the father was 

killed at Resaca. 

The lir-i death m the post was that of James Anderson, of the Eightieth 
Indiana, which occurred in November, 1883. The post attended his fun< 
in .■ nd conducted the first ritual exercises al the grave. \i the re- 

(|iu miracle Anderson before his death, John Ayers, the color hearer 

of his regiment, attended the funeral and carried the post flag. In Decem- 
ber of this same year the second death in the post occurred, that of Hugh 
Daugherty, who was also a member of the Eightieth Indiana. 

It -((.•in-- that the tiMial rain did not occur on Memorial day, 1884, and 
the exercises re carried out without it of weather. 

There was a large procession t<> the cemetery, headed by the Princeton ba 
and the Post drum corps. Rev. M. M. C. Hobbs was the principal speaker 
at 1 he exercises in the court house yard. 

( in the evenin : 15, 1885, a meeting was held in the post hall in 

commemoration ..1" the battle of Resaca. \t this meetin esses appro- 

priate t" tli! n were made by Capt. Vesper Dorneck, Capt. I. S. Epper- 

son, 1 W. Hill. II I laj Wilkinson and Dr. W. P. Welborn. 

At a nice; the post in July. 1885, there was presented a gavel 

made from the limb of a pine tree near Jonesboro, Georgia. This tree was 

gnal station bj the signal corps of Sherman's army at the time of 

the battle there lie w 1 from which the gavel was made was procured 

l>\ Samuel Reavis while on a visit to the battle field, and the presental 
- made by Captain Dorneck. In accepting the gavel, the post commander 
ired the donor that it would be sacredly kept and used while the post 
maintained its existence. As it turned out, this assurance was a wrong guess. 
In less than one year from that time the post hall and all its contents, includ- 
ing this gavel, were destroyed b> fire, but the post has continued to exist. 

In August, 1885, the mem. .rial meeting in honor of Gen. U. S. Grant, 

held in the United Presbyterian church, was a notable event. It was the 

largest assemblage of the kind ever held in the town. The exercises uere 

under tin- auspices of the Grand \rniy and were appropriate t>> the occasion. 

January [3, iNN-. a mem. .rial service was held in the post hall in 



252 GIBSON COUNTY, INDIANA. 

honor of Gen. John A. Logan. The principal addresses were made by M. W. 
Fields, A. P. Twineham and Rev. J. E. Jenkins. 

On February 3, 1887, a camp fire was held in the post hall, at which Gen- 
eral Shackelford, of Evansville, gave an account of the pursuit and capture 
of John Morgan, which was participated in by Shackelford. 

In the month of January, 1886, the post met with a serious disaster in 
the loss of its hall and all the contents by fire. This loss included all the rec- 
ords of the post, the furniture and equipments of the hall, the drums belong- 
ing t«i the pnst and about fifty stand of arms. But this disaster did not dis- 
courage the members. Another meeting place was secured until arrange- 
ment could he made for permanent quarters. 

At the department encampment, held in Indianapolis. February, 1890, 
Archer 1'ost was honored by the election of one of its members as depart- 
ment commander. Gil R. Stormont, who brought this honor to the post, 
was tendered a reception on his return from the encampment. On this occa- 
sion the department colors were exhibited for the first time in the post hall, 
by Henry I'. Chambers, who had been appointed color bearer by the newly- 
elected department commander. 

The dedication of the new hall, which had been fitted up in the Henry 
Soller block, was an. important event in 1890. This occurred May 15th of 
that year and the record says the hall was crowded to suffocation on that 
occasion. Addresses were made by Governor Ira J. Chase, Col. I. X. Walker, 
of Indianapolis, Airs. H. M. Caylor, of Noblesville, department president of 
the Woman's Relief Corps, and others. 

Memorial day. 1891. occurred during the meeting of the United Preshv- 
terial assembly in Princeton, and the public exercises of the day were marked 
by some very able addresses made by delegates in attendance. 

Another incident of note in this year was the presentation of a diamond 
badge to Past Department Commander Gil R. Stormont by a committee ap- 
pointed by the department encampment for that purpose. This event took 
place in the post hall, under the auspices of the post. June 15th, and the 
presentation was made by Governor Ira J. Chase. Other members of the 
committee who were present ami made addresses were Col. I. X. Walker, then 
department commander: Major Charles M. Travis, a past department com- 
mander; .Major Irvin Robbins, of Indianapolis; Ben Starr, of Richmond, ami 
others from Evansville. 

The following is a list of the prist commanders of Archer Post since the 
organization ami the years in which they served: 



GIBSON mum v. INDIANA. 253 

Gil. R. Stormont 1883 1885 [898 

Henrj P.Chambers 1884 1891 

James S. Epperson 1886 1887 1893 

\ esper Dorneck 1888 

Solomon Vannada 1889 

James J. Hartin 1890 

Joseph C. Hartin 1892 

Frank M. Grigsby 1894 

Henry M. Lamb 1895 |S '''' 

Hugh 1 Carlisle 1897 

Charles C. Whiting [899 1900 1901 

William M. Duncan 1902 1903 

Hugh Hanna 1904 1905 

D Wilson Smith 1906 

James ^. Sprowl m"; 

John M. Stormont 1908 1909 

Joseph K. Mr<i.iry 19 

\\". J. Lowe nil 1 

James \V. Lewis 1912 

Arthur I'. Twineham 1913 

W Shopbell iMi 1 

f a lew years after the organization of the post new members were 

added t" tin- r- »1 1 ai everj meeting, bul this increase in membership was offset 

b) those who had come into the order in tin- early years of it- history ami 

had grown indifferent, and had allowed themselves i" become delinquent in 

du( tile rule- of the order the names "t' such were dropped 

from the n>lj-. ami at "tie time the 1 1 — t of suspended ami dropped members 

irge a- the active li-t. Then, as the vear- passed, there was 

onrinual depletion of the membership by death. But, notwithstanding 

these losses, Archer Post ha- always had a strong uii''ird of the faithful 

h<il<| up it- banner. It has always held it- regular meetings with a fair 

attendance, and ha- always been read) t" minister t" the want- of 

omrades, ami ha- always been read) t" turn out in a body and 

appropriate tribute t" comrades who have answered the last r<>ll call. 

It has always I- e proper observance t" Memorial day and 

ha- commanded the respect and approbation of the community in its conduct 

ami deportment in this and in all other public servii 

In the later years there ha- been a decided revival of interest in the 



254 GIBSON COUNTY, INDIANA. 

( iraiid Army, and Archer Post has been affected by this revival. As the years 
go by, and as the Grand Army seems to be marching with quickened steps 
t< ward the place of final encampment, as comrades, one by one, are drop- 
ping from the ranks, there is manifested a desire for a closer fellowship and 
association for those who remain. Those who may have been indifferent as 
to this association in the earlier period of the Grand Army have come to 
the belief that there is a reality in the tie that binds comrades one to an- 
other. As a result of this belief, Archer Post has had restored to member- 
ship all those who had been suspended or dropped, and there has been a 
large number enrolled of those who have not before sought membership in 
the order. 

On the 13th of January, 1908, Archer Post celebrated its twenty-fifth 
anniversary with a free supper to all its members in good standing. At that 
time it was said the post had a larger membership than it ever had in history; 
that, with a few exceptions, it had on its rolls all who were eligible to mem- 
bership within its jurisdiction. Quite a number who participated in the 
quarter-centennial celebration and rejoiced in the happy conditions and fra- 
ternal feeling that prevailed, have since passed to the beyond. The ranks have 
been thinned by death, but some of the vacant places have been filled with new 
recruits and the fraternal spirit -rows stronger with the passing years. 

At the quarter-centennial celebration a camp tire was held in the Ividd 
opera house, at which an interesting program of exercises was given. Rev. 
Daniel Ryan, past department commander, made the principal address. There 
was also an address of historical character by Past Department Commander 
Stormont, covering the history of the post from its organization. The clos- 
ing part of this address follows: 

"The review of the history of Archer Post for the past quarter of a 
century, and the present view of its healthy condition, affords occasion for 
hopefulness and cheer for the future. Certainly there is ground for belief 
that its days of usefulness are not yet within the shadows of the setting sun. 
There is much of strength and vitality in the organization and in the individ- 
ual membership, and there is still a call to duty and to service. It is a call not 
only to the duty of aiding needy and distressed comrades, of helping others 
to hear the burdens of life, but also of teaching by influence and example the 
principles of right living. 

"Amid the smoke and leaden hail of battle conflict the Grand- Army set 
a high standard of patriotism and courage, and when the conflict was ended 
they received their discharge with the plaudits of the nation which was saved 



GIBSON COl \ I Y. I Nhl WW. 



=55 



by their valor. Since those days of conflict the Grand Army has not lowered 
the standard of patriotism and it lias continued t<> receive the approval of a 
nation, redeemed and regenerated. 

" I ii ■ honor of having been a soldier of the Republic is an horn ir not to 
be lightly regarded, and it should be the endeavor of each soldier t>> magnify 
that honor by living an honorable and upright life as a citizen. Whatsoever 
things are true, whatsoever things are honest, whatsoever things are just. 
whatsoever things are pure, whatsoever things are lovely, whatsoever tilings 

are "f g 1 report, it' there be any virtue, and if there be an) praise, think 

■ mi the^e things 

"Whether the life he long or short, whether for anj comrade ol the 
Grand Army present the last roll call shall come this week, or this year, or 
for many years, let this sentiment be the resolve of each: 

"I live for those w ho love me, 

Whose hearts are kind and true. 
For the right that lacks assistance, 
T'>r the wrong that needs resistance, 
For the future in the distam 

\nd the good that 1 can do." 

^. H. COCKRUM POS1 NO. 52O, OAKLAND CITY. 

A. II. Cockrum Post, Grand Arm) "i the Republic, at Oakland City, 
was ed b) Gil R. Stormont, September 20, [887, with the following 

charter members: Ira Castetter, Eph Christmas, F. M. Langford, John T. 
Benton, \U- Cole, lames Kilmartin, Ileim ('. Vickers, lames M. Reavis, 
Alvin I Lett, Francis M. Black, Charles W. Abram, Joseph Beck, Henry 
Barton, William Myers, ^sa Turpin, Wile) J. Baldwin, William M. M 
land, James M Cockrum, James Hord, John McFarland. 

This posl increased rapidly in membership for the first tew years, en- 
rolling the most of th >se who were eligible in the town and vicinity. Vs the 
the r.mk were depleted as the comrades, "lie after another, 
pped out, i" be enrolled in that greater Grand \nm beyond. There are 
still a faithful tew who remain to maintain the organization and the regular 
tint's are well attended. 



256 GIBSON COUNTY, INDIANA. 

The following have served the post as commanders since the organi- 
zation : 

James M. Cockrum 1887 1888 

John McFarland 1889 1891 1893 

Ephraim Christmas 1890 

James Kilmartin 1892 1895 1897 

James Reavis 1894 1901 

Norman Taylor 1896 

D. J. King 1898 

L. O. Emmerson ^99 

James L. Stewart 1900 

Adam Young 1902 

Hiram Robinson I( J03 

W. A. Harper 1904 

J. V. Gillum 1905 

Zadok M. McCleary 1906 to 1914 

STEPHEN MEAD POST No. 1S7. FORT BRANCH. 

Stephen Mead Post, Grand Army of the Republic, was organized at Fort 
Branch in 1883. with the following charter members: Silas M. Holcomb, 
Elias Lambert, John T. Dickson, Isaac H. .Myers, William J. Lowe, Hugh 
D. McGary, John W. Veager, Golston S. Wilson, James Crilley, Casper Gram, 
Benjamin F. Robinson, John W. Carter. Charles Mead, William T. Stilwell, 
Chesley F. Garrison, Robert Onyet, Samuel Anderson, William J. Woods, 
Elisha L Pritchett, Michael Robinson, Charles F. Abel, W. Gary Hopkins, 
David Korte, Anthony Alsop, David B. Butler, Joseph K. McGary, William 
A. Preston, William 11. Pritchett. 

Since the organization this post has met with misfortunes of various 
kinds, one of the most serious being the loss of their records and post prop- 
erty by tire. This loss included their original charter and other valuable pa- 
pers, so that it is impossible to give an accurate history of the organization. 
But it can be said that, notwithstanding the adverse fortunes they have ex- 
perienced, there have been enough members of loyal and patriotic spirit to 
maintain tin- organization and keep their flag afloat. The following have 
served as post commanders since the organization: S. M. Holcomb, W. T. 
Stilwell, Henry Hamilton. Casper Gram, T. A. Walters, John E. Ruston, B. 
F. Stewart, John A. Ewin, August Rodeman, C. F. Garrison. William 
Hickrod, 



.,1 BSI IN CO! NTY, INDIANA. -S7 



fHE WOMAN S 



The Woman's Relief Corps came into existence as a national organi 
tion in 1885 as the recognized auxiliary of the Grand Arm) of the Republic, 
irder met with popular favor and increased rapidly in membership 

tart, and has continued to grow ever since. All loyal women are 
ble t" membership in this order, and, unlike the Grand Army, the eligible 
list from which recruits can be gathered t" maintain and perpetuate the 
Woman- unlimited and inexhaustible. 

The objecl of this organization, as indicated by the title, an auxiliary of 
tin- Grand \rmy. is to assist in the relief "i needy and distressed soldiers, 
their widows and orphans, and the) have done and arc doing noble work 
along tin* line. 

Archer ' orps Mo. 31, Woman's Relict' tor])-, auxiliary to Arche 
Grand Vrmj of the Republic, was organized in Princeton, June 23, [887, 
with the following charter members: Martha B. Craig, Clara K. Braselton, 

- Stormont, Mary L. Pumphrey, Jennie Daugherty, Ellen Eppi 
Sophrona Snow, Melinda I. Warnock, Kate \\ . Small. Anna Bucklin, Maria 
T Brownlee, \nna M. St"ke-. Julia T. Duncan. Ophelia Mowery, I.illie J. 
Posey, Lillie Bucklin, Jennette Kern. Sarah Hollis, Mary K. Witherspoon, 
Emma Reavis, Man L. Daugherty, Jessie EC. Hartin, Sarah C. McGary. 

rhose \\ h' > have sen'ed as presidents <*i Vrcher Corps since the organi- 
zation are as follow - : 

trtha 7 t888 1889 

Mary \\ right 

Kate Sterne 189 1 

Julia T. Duncan iXtjj [893 

Rati innont . - [894 1895 

Marj L. Pumphrey 1896 [897 

] 81 iN 
Anna Stilwell 

ra K. Braselton 1901 19 

Anna V. Bucklin . 1903 [904 [907 1910 mn n 

I i. ( iertrude I .aw rence . vpo8 u 
Martha L. Sprowl [912 

1||-'>11 Mil ^ 



258 GIBSON COUNTY, INDIANA. 

SOCIETY OF THE DAUGHTERS OF THE AMERICAN REVOLUTION. 

The Society of the Daughters of the American Revolution was organ- 
ized in Washington, D. C, October 11, 1890. It has for its object the per- 
petuation of the memory of those who achieved American independence, the 
collection of relics of earlier American days, the protection of historical spots, 
the encouragement of historical research in relation to the Revolution, and 
by the preservation of the records of individual services of Revolutionary sol- 
diers and patriots. The National Society of the Daughters of the American 
Revolution lias members in every state and nearly every territory of the 
Union. The society as a whole has a charter granted by the Congress of the 
United States, a national constitution, a national treasury, and the governing 
body, the continental congress. Formal organization of the society occurred 
on October 11, 1890, and the dark blue and white of Washington's staff was 
chosen for the society's colors. The design of a golden spinning-wheel was 
chosen for a badge. The first chapter was formed in Chicago, Illinois. 

THE PRINCETON CHAPTER, D. A. R. 

While the movement looking to the organization of a chapter of the 
Daughters of the American Revolution in Princeton was agitated for some 
time prior to 191 1, it was not until the summer of that year that the matter 
of such an organization began to take effective shape. In response to a call, 
several of those who were members of the order in other chapters met with 
Miss Lnella Johnson and decided to proceed to the organization of a local 
chapter. A formal organization was effected November 25, 191 1. but it was 
not until February 4, 1912, that the first regular meeting was held. Prior 
In tbis meeting Miss Johnson had been elected regent; Airs. Kate Keys 
Stormont, vice-regent; Miss Ruth Maxam, treasurer; Miss Edith Braselton, 
secretary; Miss Maud Tichenor Witherspoon, registrar; Miss Mary Skelton 
Welborn, historian. Thereafter meetings were held regularly on the first 
Saturday of each month. 

At the first regular meeting it was decided to name this "The General 
John Gibson Chapter," in honor of the territorial governor of that name, and 
a soldier in the Revolutionary war. the man for whom Gibson county was 
named. 

The firsl year's work of the General John Gibson Chapter was a study 
of local history, including the organization of Princeton and Gibson countv ; 
old pioneer families, pioneer occupations, etc.; the settlement of New Har- 



GIBSON COl \ V. INDIANA. -S'J 

rnony and Vincennes. rhe second year's work was "Birds", and the third 
year's work consists of topics bearing on the colonial period in general, such 
as "Literature and Press of the Colonies," "The Old Historic Hudson," "The 
Dutch of New York", "The English Viewpoint at the Time of the Revolu- 
tion", "The American Viewpointal theTimeofthe Revolution". 

rhe present officers of the chapter arc: Mrs. Kate Keys Stormont, re- 
gent; Mrs. Mary Skelton Welborn, vice-regent; Miss Mabel Tichenor, sec- 
retary; Miss Mary Archer, treasurer: Miss Maud T. Withers] n. registrar; 

Mrs. \nna Servoss, historian. 

The charter members of the General John Gibson Chapter are: Mayme 
Archer. Sadie Archer. Daisie Braselton, Edith Braselton, Mrs. Ellen McCor- 
mick, Edna Ewing, Mrs. Ella Fellows Ewing, Luella Johnson, Mrs. Elsie 
Johnson Lewis, Eliza Aurelia Lewis, Ruth Maxam. Mrs. Anna Servoss, Mrs 
Kate Keys Stormont, Mabel E. Tichenor, Mrs. Maud Tichenor Wither- 
spoon, Mr-. Mary Skelton Welborn, Mrs. Georgia Seaton Ward and Mrs. 
Ella Y. Buchanan. 

It is interesting i" note tin- eligibility "t' the members of the Princeton 

chapter of tin- Daughters "t the Vmerican Revolution. Mayme and Sadie 

Archer are descended from Thomas Met alia, a private in (apt. A. < I. Clay- 

ile's company in the New Eleventh Pennsylvania Regiment, commanded 

■1. Thomas I tartlej 

Daisie Kurtz Braselton and Kdith Dean Braselton are descended from 
John Braselton, \\h" served during the Revolution as colonel of a Virginia 
regiment. 

Mr-. Ella Garrison McCormick is the great-granddaughter of Uriah 
me of the famous "Green Mountain Boys". He had six brothers in 

line war. 

Edna Ewing and Mr- Ella Fellows Ewing are descended from Samuel 
Fellows, a delegate t" the third Provisional Congress at Watertown, Massa- 
chusetts, in 177;. also in the conquest of Canada in 1757 and 1763, he served 
i -"ldter. Ili- son, 1 apt. John Fellows, commanded a company at Still- 
water and wa- present at the surrender "!' Burgoyne. Willi- and William. 
twin -hi-, fought in the Revolutionary war. 

Luella Johnson and Mrs. Elsie Johnson Lewis trace their ancestry t" 
Arthur Johnson, who was a sergeant in Captain Cooper's company, Fourth 
Virginia Regiment, commanded b\ Col. John Nevill, participating in the b 
tie- .if Valli rge, Brandywine, Stony Point, Kutaw Sunn-- and Yurk- 

town. 



260 GIBSON COUNTY, INDIANA. 

Ruth Maxam is descended from Brigadier Nathaniel Heard, com- 
mander of the New Jersey state troops, known as Heard's Brigade. 

Mrs. Anna Servoss traces her lineage to Thomas MeCalla, the same as 
Mayme and Sadie Archer. 

Mrs. Kate Keys Stormont is the great-granddaughter of Brig.-Gen. Ed- 
ward Hand, who was in command of a Pennsylvania regiment at the cross- 
ing of the Delaware, also in the battle of Trenton. He was afterward adju- 
tant-general on General Washington's staff and was at the surrender of 
Cornwallis at Yorktown. General Hand was one of the electors from Penn- 
sylvania ami cast the vote of that state for George Washington for President, 
lie was a member of the old Congress, 1784-1785. 

Mabel Tichenor. Maud Tichenor, Airs. Witherspoon and Mrs. Mary 
Skelton Welborn are descended from Thomas Montgomery, who served as 
lieutenant in ( apt. John Martin's company of Virginia state troops in the In- 
dian expedition under command <>i George Rogers Clark. He was one of 
seven sons, all of whom did valiant service in the Revolutionary war. 

Mrs. Georgia S. Ward is related to Thomas Dill, a captain in the bat- 
talion of Pennsylvania, and served in the first expedition to Canada in 1776. 
He served as captain in the Seventh Pennsylvania Line and was wounded 
at the battle of Brandywine. 

Mrs. Ella V. Buchanan is descended from Gen. Ephraim Douglas, aide- 
de-camp on the staff of Gen. Benjamin Lincoln, and was taken prisoner at 
Bound Brook in 1777. He was afterward paroled and served' as aide-de- 
camp on the staff of Gen. herd Sterling. 

Mrs. Allie Lewis Sevedge is descended from Eli Lewis, who served as 
major in the Tenth Battalion of York County Militia in the battles of Brandy- 
wine and Germantown. He was distinguished as the "Fighting Quaker." 

Mrs Lucilla Miller traces her right to membership to Thomas MeCalla, 
the same as Mayme and Sadie Archer, and Mrs. Dura McRoberts to Gen. 
Ephraim Douglas, the same as Mrs. Ella Y. Buchanan. 

.Mrs. Ada M. Warnock is descended from Benjamin Coe, a ranger on 
the frontier from 1778 to 1783. 

Alice Hopkins is related to Joseph Xeely, a sharpshooter in Captain 
Marshall's company of Pennsylvania Rifle Regulars, Colonel Mile's battalion, 
and participated in the battle of Brandywine, and was present at the Corn- 
wallis surrender at Yorktown. 

Nellie M. Redman is descended from James Smith, who served during 
the war in Captain Bowyer's company of the Twelfth Virginia Regiment. 



GIBSl IN C01 \ I Y. I NDTANA. _"' ■ I 

lh enlisted in 1776 and served until some time in the year 1780. lie died in 
on county in [837 a1 the age of eighty-three years. 

Vurelia Lewis traces her lineage to Eli Lewis, the same as Mrs. 
\lln' Lewi? Sevedge, and also to Thomas McCalla. 

GIBSON I Wl l'. SONS 01 VETERANS 

The latest <>i the patriotic organizations 111 Gibson county is the Sons 
• ■I Veterans, organized March u. [914, with one hundred and twenty-eight 
charter members. This organization is designated as Gibson Camp N'o. 228, 
and, for numbers mustered as charter members, this camp holds the record of 
any in this state or in the United Slate-. George W. Krietenstein, of I erre 
Haute, officiated as mustering officer, assisted b) other members of the order 
hi I'erre Haute, and Col. X. J. McGuire, past commander-in-chief, of 
Indianapolis. The following officers were elected and installed to serve the 
current year : 

Charles O Halt/ell. commander; Samuel F. Bean, senior vice-com- 
mander; James W. Stott, junior vice-commander; Foreman E. Knowles, 
treasurer; John W. Corder, secretary : Charles W. Skelton, musician: Dr. C. 
Edwards, chaplain; Daniel W. Davis, color hearer: George W. McRey- 
nolds, patriotic instructor; Will Blair, guide; Robert Adam-, inner guard; 
R(.\ P. King, outer guard; Thomas Beloat, M. F. Stewart and Robert > 
ell, camp council. 

Following the muster and installation several short addresses were made 
by Colonel McGuire and others. A pleasing feature of the occasion was the 
presentation of a beautiful -ilk flag, for camp and parade use, by Col. Gil. R 
'in. .111. ..n behalf of Johnny Butler, of Franklin, Pennsylvania, a former 
Princeton boy and a drummer boy in the 1 !ivil war. This flag was purchased 
on his order and presented with his compliments and congratulations, and it 
tnplete surprise to the bo) - 

is a list of the charter members: William Anderson, Rol 
II \dams, Joseph Barton, George M. Braselton, Samuel X Bottom, Charles 
tzell. Robert I Baltzell, William C. Bucklin. Bruce Bucklin, Folej 
Brown, rhomas Beloat. 1 harles Bahne, Will Blair, Charles W. Benton, Paul 
• I J. Baldwin. Samuel F. Bean, Horace Chambers, W. Ed Cris- 
well. I riswell. Oliver M Colvin, Samuel W. (lark. John \\ 

iel W Davis. Joseph C Danks. William Daugherty. John R. Dor- 
Walter 1 i' A illiam l)a\ Daugherty. Charles i 
ward-, \r\il Gibson, lame- B Gamble, Henr Hugh Hanna. Ir. 



262 GIBSON COUNTY, INDIANA. 

Thomas W. Hopkins. Coleman Harvey, Charles Hartin. William G. Hopkins, 
Joseph Hussey, R. L. Hussey, John X. Hopkins, David C. Hanna. Wiley S. 
Hastings, Walter J. Heller. Curtis Hamilton, Frank X. Harris, John S. Pier- 
riott. John Ed Joyce, James Jenkins, Roy P. King, Charles King, Herbert 
King, Foreman E. Knowles, James M. Ressner, M. M. Kennedy, Victor Key. 
George Kilmartin, C. M. Lawrence, Fred J. Lewis, Ralph Little, William K. 
Lamb, Jesse Montgomery. Lorenzo Montgomery, Harvey Milburn, John L. 
.Morris. Earl Moore. .Mien Moore. John B. Massey, Carl Mangrum, John W. 
McCormick, Robert McCormick, James P. McCormick, James D. McClure, 
Von R. McClure. Percy McClure, Thomas Morton McDonald. Alvun Xew- 
berry. Clyde Ott, George H. Padgett, William Phillips. Robert Pierce. Nelson 
Pritchard, Thomas H. Riggs, Walter Riggs, Arba W. Riggs, Henry C. Red- 
man. Samuel Redman, J. Wesley Ritchie, Fred Shuel. William R. Spillman, 
Samuel Spence. Charles W. Skelton, Charles S. Scull, James W. Stott, Charles 
A. Steele, Ralph Stormont, M. F. Stewart, John H. Ashmead, Ellis S. Arhurn, 
Alfonso Chambers, Barnhill Bruce, A. Dale Ford, J. Q. A. Goodwin, Jesse 
Kern, Arthur P. Twineham, Walter Taylor, James O. Sickles, J. Arch 
Sprowl, George X. Sprowl, Thomas B. Scott, Jacob Shuel. Monroe Wood- 
burn, John M. Wiggs, Robert Warnock, Archibald Warnock, William A. 
Wheeler. George Russell Wire, David B. Wheeler. Arthur Whitsett. George 
\\". McReynolds, Hugh Harris, Walter Hollis, Clarence Hollis, John ( '. 
Gorman, William Mowery. James R. McGregor. Ralph Crumbaugh. 



I HAPTER Will. 



SOI DIERS MON1 M 



GIBSON COUNTS SOLDIERS MONUMENT. 

rhe idea for the Gibson count) soldiers' monument took definite form 
in April. Kim, when Archer Post, Grand \rmv of the Republic, after 
cussing improvements which were being made in the court house square, 
appointed a committee to secure signatures to a petition to the count} com- 
mis for a countj soldiers' monument, under the state law which per- 

mits ;i count) appropriation of not to exceed fifty thousand dollars for a 
monument to t'ivil war soldiers, upon petition of a majorit) of the legal 
vi 'ter- of the count}-. 

One of the leaders in the movement was David Wilson Smith, veteran 
■ •i Company I'. One Hundred and Twentieth Indiana Volunteer Infantry, 
and another enthusiastic spirit was Joseph K. McGary. \ monument commit- 
lintecl b) Vrcher Post, with Mr. Smith a- chairman, lames W 
ary, ami the following other members: Joseph Moore. Dr. 
W \V Blair, Joseph K McGary. All worked nobly, ami with able .inst- 
ance from >ther members ami patriotic citizens, ami on October ". mho, 
petitions were filed with county commissioners bearing four thousand eleven 

hundred ami eleven signatures, a g 1 majority. The petition was favorably 

• 1 upon, am' on January 4. 1911, the county council made an appropria- 
tion of twenty-five thousand dollars for the monument. 

A little later, from many competitive designs, that of (lark brothers, of 
Urbana, Illinois, and Princeton, was selected as the most desirable for the 
monument, ami afterward the contracl for construction and erection 
awarded to ('lark brothers, the specifications providing, after consideration 
of \arioiis marbles, that the base should he of Barre granite and the shaft 
of Montello, Wisconsin, granite The sub-contracl for the bronze figures 
went to Rudolph Schwarz, noted sculptor, of fndianapolis. The concri 

was laid in the fall of mil Building of the shaft went forward s.itis- 

irily at the Montello quarries, so that it was read) >" r delivery in July 



264 GIBSON COUNTY. [NDIANA. 

of [912. The bronze figures were also ready a little later, but there 
was lung delay in getting the base from Vermont, and so the shaft was not 
brought here and erected until September. It was not until November 12, 
MM-', that the shaft was completed and ready for dedication, and it was on 
that date that the ceremony of dedication took place. This was a great event 
for Princeton, and especially for the old veterans of the county, who had 
worked and waited long for the realization of their hopes. 

Every preparation for the dedication had been carefully planned. In- 
vitations to all the neighboring counties had been sent out, an interesting 
program of music and addresses had been arranged; everything hail 
been arranged except the regulation of the weather. That turned out bad. A 
heavy rain set in early in the morning which put a damper on all other well 
regulated arrangements. But the people came from all parts of the county 
and from surrounding counties. Civil war veterans were present in goodly 
numbers from every county in the district. Filled with enthusiasm and the 
memory of experiences in army life, it required more than such a downpour 
of rain to dampen their ardor on this occasion. It was only a realistic re- 
minder of old limes. 

At half past one o'clock in the afternoon the formal dedication ritual of 
the Grand Army of the Republic was conducted by Archer Post, in the pres- 
ence of a vast crowd of people, including fifteen hundred children from the 
public schools. Preceding this there was a parade of about three hundred 
veterans around the public square, headed by a drum corps composed of 
veterans. 

Owing to the unfavorable weather the other part of the program was 
given m the United Presbyterian church. This program consisted of patri- 
otic songs by a chorus, under the direction of Mrs. Irene Coolidge, and the 
following addresses: "The American Flag," by Lucius C. Embree ; "Monu- 
ments, their History and Significance," by Thomas Duncan; "Indiana 
Soldiers in the War of [861 to 1865," by John W. Brady; "One Country and 
One Flag," by Arthur 1'. Twineham; "Gibson County in the Civil War," by 
Col. Gil R. Stormont. 

This monument stands on the southeast corner of the public square, 
facing southeast, and it is a credit to the people of Gibson county and to all 
who bad to do with its design and erection. It is something over sixty feet 
in height, surmounted by a bronze figure representing a color bearer. Bronze 
figures are on pedestals around the base, representing the different branches 
of the army and navy service. On the front of the first die is the inscrip- 
tion ; 




FIFTY-EIGHTH INDIANA REGIMENT MONUMENT, 
Dedicated July 4. 1st;:, 



i.l BSON COUN IV. I\M \\ \. 265 

ted iMi-', b> the ( itizens oi County, Indiana, In Honor 

the Valor and Patriotism of the 2,200 Soldiers and Sailors, Who En- 
listed from Gibson Count} in the Civil War, of 1861 to [865. A Tribute to 
the Memor) "i the 500 Who Gave the Full Measure of Devotion to Their 
untn 

< in the east face of ilii^ die is the inscription: 

"i hi Fame's eternal camping ground 

Their silent tents are spread, 
And Glor) guards with solemn round, 

The bivouac of the dead." 

the west side : 

- rather for 11- the living, that we here highh resolve that these dead 

shall ii"t have died in vain: that tin- Nation, under God, --hall have a new 

birth of freedom, and that the government of the people, by the people, and 

for the people, >'ki11 not perish from the earth " From I. inn 'In'- 1 iett.3 sburg 

\ddress, 1863. 

the north side : 

rd, of Commissioners: Joseph Vochum, Gerhardt Frobeiter, 
\. Knowles. 
"Soldiers' Monument Committee David Wilson Smith, Joseph K. Mc- 

l'.vi'l>h Moore, I >r W. W. Blair, James W. Lewis." 
1 In the caps of the several dies in the shaft are the following names of 
battles in which soldiers from Gibson count) engaged: 

"Resaca," "Gettysburg," "Chickamauga," "March to the Sea," "Antietam," 
"Franklin." "Kenesaw Mountain," "Fredericksburg," "Shiloh," "Perry- 
ville," "Vicksbui "Nashville," "Bentonville," "Atlanta," "Mission 

Ridge," "Stone's River." 

FIFTY- EIGHTH INDIANA REGIMI '. I . 

Strangers who visit Princeton arc attracted by the modesl marble shaft 
ah 'I- m the southwest corner of the courthouse square, and 

Hi inquiries are made "t citizens and business nun for information as 
ry, and there arc frequent visits made to the monument by the seeker 



266 GIBSON COUNTY, INDIANA. 

after knowledge of its origin and meaning. But with all this inquiry ami in- 
vestigation, incorrect information and erroneous ideas are often obtained 
by these seekers after knowledge, for the reason that there are comparatively 
few of the citizens and business men of the town who are sufficiently in- 
formed to give correct answer to the inquiring stranger. Some of the his- 
torians of Gibson county have referred to this monument as evidence of the 
patriotic regard entertained by the people of the count}' for the soldiers who 
laid down their lives for the defense of their country, whereas, the people of 
the county had nothing whatever to do with the erection of this monument:. 
Neither had the people of 1'rinceton. except to furnish a committee to super- 
intend its construction and secure a place for its erection. 

The money for the erection of this monument came from the survivors 
of the Fifty-eighth Indiana Volunteer Infantry Regiment, in honor of whose 
dead it was erected, and all of this money was raised by voluntary donations 
and subscriptions from men, hers of the regiment while in service. A consid- 
erable part 01 this fund was obtained by appropriating certain money due 
the members of the regiment on account of an allowance for unused rations, 
supplemented by liberal subscriptions by officers and men of the regiment. 
The contract for the construction of the monument was made in 1863, and 
it was completed, erected and dedicated before the regiment was discharged 
from the service. In the manner of its conception, as well as in the manner 
and conditions under which it was erected and dedicated, it is in a class by 
itself. It was the first regimental monument erected in the state in memory 
of the soldiers of the Civil war. and it is the only one in this state, or in 
the United States, that was erected and dedicated by a regiment in honor of 
its deceased soldiers while that regiment was still in the service. History has 
been challenged to show its counterpart in the world and this challenge has 
not been answered. 

In view of these facts, that the truth of history might be preserved, and 
the present generation and generations to come, might have wherewith to 
make answer to the inquiry, "What mean these stones'*' we submit the fol- 
lowing historical sketch, written by the late Lieut. -Col. Joseph Moore, of the 
Fiftv-eighth Indiana, who was secretary of the regimental monument as- 
51 ciation : 

"In the earlv months of 1863. the Fifty-eighth Indiana Regiment was 
encamped near Murfreesboro, Tennessee, as a part of the Army of the 
Cumberland, under General Rosecrans. During part of this time Lieutenant- 
Colonel Embree and myself occupied the same tent as quarters, and by us and 
< luartermaster Samuel Sterne was conceived the idea of erecting a monu- 



GIBSON COUN1 Y. 1 N I > I VNA. 267 

menl l>\ the survivors of th< ent, to perpetuate the memorj oi our de- 

sed comrades, ["he plan was matured and it was made known and ex- 
plained t" our comrades of the regiment and was heartilj approved by them. 
A plan of organization was drawn up and adopted. Lieutenant-Colonel Em- 
bree was elected president, and myself, then major, elected secretary and 
treasurer. Liberal subscriptions to meel the expense of the proposed monu- 
ment were made b) officers and men of the regiment at the time of the or- 
ganization, h was stipulated that the cost of the monumenJ should not ex- 
(1 five thousand dollars, and that no subscription should be solicited not 
received from any source outside of the regiment, as it was intended to be a 
monument of the regiment and erected by the regiment. 

"It was determined by the voice of the regiment that the monument 
should be erected in the courthouse square, in Princeton, where the regimenl 
wa^ organized. A local committee was appointed, consisting <<\ Dr. Andrew 
Lewi-. Joseph Devin, William Kurtz and John Kell. to carry "in the wishes 
of tlie • I lu- committee advertised tHr designs, with probable e"st 

■ lion, and these designs were forwarded t" the regimental organiza- 
tion, then m the field, near Hillsboro, Tennessee. The design of ( Rule 
and Coleman of Cincinnati, Ohio, was adopted as tin of the regiment, 

and tlie local committee was instructed t" close a contract with this firm. It 
was stipulated in the contract that the monumenl should he completed by 
the time the regiment returned from the field at the expiration of its term 
• it three years' - This tune was. however, extended for nearly a year 

..ii aee. Hint ni' the re-enlisiment of the regiment as veterans. 

"Tlie design hi' the monument adopted and as erected was an eleganl 
marble shaft about thirty-three feet in height. On the north side are crossed 
swrds and wreath. < hi the east side a small shield resting upon oak and 
myrtle. Underneath is a large wreath encircling the words, "Erected by the 
Survivors of the E r ifty-eighth Regimenl Indiana Volunteers t<> the Memory 
..1 ["heir Deceased Comrades." On the south side is a knapsack supporting 
muskets and ila.^s, and a soldier's cap. On the west side is the co 

• •1 Indiana. < In the front in large raised letters are the 
words, "Honor the Flag." On the several sides of the caps of the dies are 
the following names D f battles in which the regiment engaged: "Ston< 
Riv< "Lavergne," "I hickamauga," "Mission Ridj The Vmerican 

le, made of the finest Italian marble, surmounts the shaft, holding in 
and tali us the national i 
The names 1,1 all deceased members of the regiment were inscribed on 



268 GIBSON COUNTY, INDIANA. 

the shaft at the tiine of its construction. Names of those who died in the 
service after its completion were added later. It was not intended that the 
names of those who died after the regiment was discharged should be in- 
scribed on the monument. 

The monument was formally dedicated on Tuesday, July 4, 1865. As 
has been stated, the regiment was still in the service at this time, but they 
were at Louisville waiting for their discharge. Many of the officers and men 
received furloughs and were present at the dedication. Addresses were made 
by Dr. Andrew Lewis, Rev. John McMaster, Chaplain John J. Hight of the 
Fifty-eighth, and others. The dedication of this monument was a great day 
in Princeton. Thousands of people were present, including many of the 
Gibson county soldiers who had returned from the war. all rejoicing in vic- 
t' iry and peace. 

But amid this rejoicing there were many in sorrow and tears because 
of the absence of loved ones whose names were inscribed on the monument 
to lie dedicated. The names are still there, but most of those who mingled 
tears with rejoicing at the dedication of this monument, bearing the names 
of loved ones, have passed away. The monument itself is yielding to the 
ravages of time and is crumbling away, hut it is none the less entitled to 
the highest honor, reverence and respect from the citizens of Princeton, 
young and old, and from the stranger as well, who comes within our gates, 
for nearly half a century this monument has stood in this most public place, 
a silent testimony of the priceless heritage that is enjoyed by this genera- 
tion. It stands as a memento of the patriotism, love, sacrifice and comrade- 
ship of soldiers, who, from their small pittance in the army, created the fund 
for its erection. Time has dimmed its artistic beauty. As an object of the 
sculptor's art it has lost much of its former attractiveness. As compared 
with other monuments of modern construction, it may appear obscure and 
insignificant. But in its meaning, in sacrifice, sentiment and comradeship, 
it looms far above and beyond them all. 

COMPANY F. FORTY-SECOND INDIANA, MONUMENT. 

On a little triangular piece of ground near the track oi the Southern 
railroad, in Oakland City, there stands a modest appearing shaft which at- 
tracts the attention of people passing by on the train. If these passing peo- 
ple are interested enough and inquisitive enough to ask someone what this 
modest shaft represents, the information will probably lie that this is a 
monument erected by the surviving members of Company F, Forty-second 



GIBSl IN C01 \ i Y. tNDIANA. 

Indiana Regiment, ;i- a ribute to the memorj ol their comrades who 

e up their lives in defense of the flag during the » ivil war. 
The monument was erected during the summer ol [893 and was dedi- 
cated in September of that year. The initial steps were taken at a reunion 
the company a year pri ir to that time, when a committee was appointed 
to raise the necessary funds. This committee was composed of ( "1- \V. M. 

ckmm, John W. Corder, James T. Bell, John P. Simpson and Wash 
ton Strickland. Dr. < ieorge ( Vlason acted as an advisory member and gave 
much financial and advisory aid which was greatly appreciated by the com- 
pany. Col. \Y. M. Cockrum executed a deed to Gibson county for the l"t 
..11 w liich the monument stam 

11k- contract for the monument was awarded to William Kelley of 
Oakland City at a cost of near one thousand dollars. The material used 
was oolitic limestone. The monument stands "ii a base seven feet square and 
ight feet in height. < m the t"i> is the figure of a soldier carved in 
stone. On the several sides of the dies are the names of all the original 
members of the company and the recruits, one hundred and forty-three in 
number. 

■ a panel for that purpose arc the names of the original field and 
staff officers of the regiment. On another side of the shaft there is a scroll 
vhich i- inscribed, "'Starved to Death at Andersonville." and underneath 
the names of eleven members of the company who gave this supreme 
test of their devotion to their country. Following are the names: Chester- 
Dill. Word Farmer, J. M. Hunter, II. II Hunter. John H. Martin. 
Adam Canon, William V Reavis, W. W. Oliver, A II Manner, facob 
Strickland and A. C. Coleman. These all were taken prisoners at the battle 
a and died at Andersonville. 
In appropriate places on the shaft appear the names of battles in which 
ipanj participated. There are as follows: Perryville, Stone's River. 
m, Flint River, Chickamauga, Lookout Mountain, Mission Ridge, 
Ringgold, Buzzard Roost, Big Shanty, Snake Creek Gap, l I iochie K: 

Bentom ille 

As stated, this monument was dedicated in September, 1893. \t the 

tion there was a large assemblage of the surviving members of the 

ipanj and regiment, soldiers from other regiments, citizens and friends. 

These all gathered around the monument where an appropriate address 

delivered l>> <"a|>t A. J. McCutchan, of Company \. Forty-second l\> 

ment It was a proud da) for the veterans of this company when they could 

upon the completion ol this monument as the crowning triumph of the 



270 GIBSON COUNTY, INDIANA. 

cause for which they fought, even though this rejoicing was mingled with 
tears in memory of those whose names were inscribed on the monument who 
had given up their lives for that cause. 

"For their cause was the cause of the races, 

That languished in slavery*s night. 
And the death that was pale on their faces, 

Has filled the whole world with its light." 



CHAPTER MX. 

I HOLERA EPID] Mil S l\ GIBSON COUNTY. 
Bj R03 P. King. 

in' the thousands of victims of Asiatic cholera, which was intermit- 
tently prevalent in the United States from [832, when it first appeared in 
New York City, until the last epidemic, which occurred in 1873, Gibson 
county perhaps paid as large a toll of lives as any county in Indiana, with the 
possible exception of a few more thickly populated districts along the Ohio 
river. Twice in the history of the county lias this dreaded scourge prevailed 
with fatal results, First in the summer of r S 5 _• , when a total of mure than 
eight) deaths occurred, and again in [873, when twenty or more victims 
were claimed by this In each of th< inns the death rate was 

extremely high and hut a small number of the stricken recovered. In some 
instances almost entire families were wiped OUl of existence. 

The aw lid carnage of war. the frightful harvest of death, due to dis- 

turbances "t the elements, appalling industrial disasters, all bring sadness 

ami gloom to a community so affected and leave deep and lasting impressions, 

hut ii" message so terrorizes the heart of man as the whispered word that a 

tain and almost surely fatal plague i- stalking over the land, dealing death. 

ly and quickly, on every side. The cry of fear dies on the lip are 

blanched by tie agon) of the hideous thought and eyes look into eyes with 

indescribable horror at the mere mention that the dreaded contagion has 

manifested itself. Fear and suspicion enter the heart and mind and each one 

lool fear and dread upon 1 ei other person, an) one of whom may 

\itll the pestilence. I lie COndud of luisincss and the pursuit of 

pleasure cease and everywhere throughoul the horror-stricken community 

that manifestation of gloom and sadness which an inevitable calam 

tn produce. In some homes already blighted b) the contagion, 

ten the living members of the family must bury their dead unassisted, and 

tin- only hands outstretched to them in aid ami sympath) are from those men 

and women endowed with the heroic virtue to rise above the common level 

in time itesl need. Thi if histon an embellished with the 

noble dei such men ami women, hut other unknown thousands reap no 

i reward of fame < if tin- great army of heroes and hero 



_■-_> GIBSON COUNTY, INDIANA. 

county, id its times of greatest stress, furnished an ample number. They 
entered the cholera stricken homes, cared for the living, gave burial to the 
dead and asked nor received reward, except that which comes from the con- 
sciousness oi a noble deed well done. 

In these latter days, when medical science and research and the modern 
methods of quarantine and disinfection have made possible the complete 
eradication of Asiatic cholera and many other contagious and infectious dis- 
ease, there is less to tear, though cholera is still numbered among the plagues 
for which there is no known specific remedy. However, it has lost its former 
horribleness to humanity by the certain knowledge that it is an infectious and 
not a contagious disease. This was discovered as late as 1884. In 1873. when 
i epidemic occurred in Gibson county, cholera was still believed by 
physicians to be contagious. 

First mention of Asiatic cholera is found in the early Sanscrit and Chi- 
nese writings, but the first notation in history was made in the sixteenth cen- 
tury, when it raged in India, where it has since been endemic. In 1817 it was 
contracted by the English soldiers in India and spread to China, Prussia, Ger- 
main and Russia. It reached England in the spring of 1832, appearing in 
L tnclon. 

in June. [832, cases were reported in Montreal, Canada, and in July of 
the -ante year the first deaths occurred at New York. In the following few 
months the epidemic spread to other Eastern cities, including Philadelphia, 
Baltimi ire and ( Charleston. 

From Montreal the epidemic traveled westward along the great lakes 
and down the Mississippi valley. There is no record of it having claimed 
any victims at that time in Gibson comity. 

The second epidemic followed in 1845, emanating from the Tartary 
coast, reaching the United States in 1848 and followed the same course 
through the country, along the principal high and water ways. Strict quaran- 
tine enforcement in New York City stopped its spread at that point, but New 
< irleans, Louisiana, where it was also prevalent, had no such quarantine fa- 
cilities and the scourge crept slowly up the Mississippi and Ohio river valleys. 
In 1841) Louisville, Kentucky, and Cincinnati. Ohio, were visited. At the 
lal er place the death rate was extremely high, one hundred and sixty being 
reci irded in 1 me day. 

Cholera lingered throughout Ohio. Indiana and Illinois during the next 
lour mi- five years and made its first appearance in Gibson county in the sum- 
mer oi [852. At that time the Wabash and Erie canal was in progress of 



GIBSON i "l \ I \ . tNDIAN \. 2?$ 

construction about seven miles southeast of Princeton. In tliis work two or 
three hundred lri-.li immigrant workmen wen- employed. The workmen were 
hrnisi I in temporarj camps and little thought was given to cleanliness and 
sanitation, a condition most favorable for cholera and other diseases. Within 
a few d i the cholera made its appearance a number of deaths resulted 

and when it had run its course, in less than three week-, an estimated total of 
i} had succumbed. 

Mowing the first outbreak a majority of the men fled from the vicinity 

citement in the community was at fever heat. Victims of the disease 

ft lying for days before being given burial and it was almost imp. 

Me to secure men t" do tin- work. A few of the In-h workmen stayed with 

their stricken friends and these few braved danger by burying the bodies in 

ear tl e reservoir. All trace of their last resting place has now 

ippeared. Some few bodies were taken to Vincennes b) friends, for 

nsecrated ground. A number of those who remained behind to 

care lor the -ick and dying gave up their lives. 

Besides the foreign workmen there were also a lew deaths among resi- 
h community, including one man and hi- wife who voluntarily 
ministered to the stricken canal workmen. 

Me; counts are given in the newspapers of tha >t attacks of 

cholera in Princeton and one death, that of a man named Woods, is believed 
to have resulted from its effects. Little detail- of the tense excitement which 
musl have prevailed were recorded by the pre--, bul il is known that the ; 
pie m general kept away from the infected district for weeks. The epidemic 
short duration and the excitement must have subsided in a -hurt til 
r*hi i clmlera in Gibson count) occurred in the sum- 

1873, vivid recollections of which -till remain in the mind- of many 
opl« \ small epidemic had occurred in the Eastern states in i> v 

lera again gol a tirm foothold in the South and traveled up 
the ppi valley. It became epidemic in Evansville and Mt. Vernon, 

ro and Carmi, Illinois, Paducah, Kentucky, and many deaths 
curred and it 1- from one of these infected place- that il 1- believed to hi 
Princeton. 

■ the corner of Spruce and lord streets in Princeton was Mrs. 
John Seabrooks, an aged lady, who for a living did washing. It 1- supposed 
-In became infected with the disease from the clothing of some person for 

he washed, and who had Keen 111 some infected territory. Mi 
I'l-.H me and one morning was found by her da on the 

(18) 



274 GIBSON COUNTY, INDIANA. 

i oi her room, in the last stages of what physicians pronounced to be 
. holera. She died a few hours later. 

The new- of Mrs. Seabrooks' death spread rapidly and excitement ran 
high in Princeton. For weeks residents lived in dread, but no other cases 
developed in the town. 

Lack of proper sanitary measures, however, did not prevent infection 
from this one case. Instead of burning the clothing and bed clothing of Mrs. 
Seabrooks, they were taken to Indian creek, about three miles northeast of 
Princeton, where they were washed in the waters of the creek, thus infecting 
the water. 

Near this creek lived the family of Henry Weatherly, consisting of hus- 
band and wife and live children, and Indian creek was the source of their 
water supply. How thoroughly the water was infected is shown by the fact 
that but one child, Margaret, then about two years old, survives. The other 
members of the family succumbed in the space of a few days. 

Though Margaret Weatherly was the sole survivor of the family, yet 
she was the first to lie attacked by the disease and it is the belief that her life 
was saved by a mistake on the part of her mother. For several weeks the 
father had been suffering from stomach trouble and had been taking mor- 
phine to ease the pain. A few days following the pollution of the stream 
Margaret was suddenly taken ill one morning and the mother, not realizing 
the deadly effects of morphine, gave the child the same sized dose the father 
had been accustomed to taking. The child grew worse and a physician was 
summoned from Princeton. By the time he arrived the mother had also 
i n stricken with cholera and was writhing in its agonies. Margaret was in 
a stupor from the effects of the morphine, hut by persistent efforts on the part 
ot the physician, was kept from passing into the sleep of death, until the 
cholera attack, which was probably light, passed away am! she gradually re- 
covered. I he mother, however, continued to grow worse and died early in 
the evening. Her death was followed the same night by the death of two 
other children and before morning Henry Weatherly, the husband, was 
stricken. 

Nearby lived the families of John McDaniel. Robert Boswell, Mrs. Elias 
Pearson, a sister of Henry Weatherly. and James Carithers, a brother of Mrs. 
Weatherly. All these relatives and neighbors put aside their fears and gave 
aid to the ill-fated family. Henry Weatherly, soon after he was taken sick, 
together with the now remaining three children, was removed to the home of 
James ('anthers, where Air. Weatherly died a few hours later. 



VI Y. I MM W'A. J," 

No other deaths occurred for three days and in the meantime the vic- 
tims had Keen buried. The bodies were cared for by Mrs. John McDaniel, 
Mrs. Pearson and her daughter, Emma. All these soon sickened and died, 
bert Boswell, who buried the bodies of Mrs. VVeatherly and her children, 
also became a victim. 

The next deaths to be recorded wen those of two of the three remain- 
in- VVeatherly children and four deaths in the family of Jesse VVeatherly, a 
brother of Henry, who lived farther down Indian creek, the wife and three 
children being taken. All of these deaths occurred in less than ten days I 
lowing the death of Mrs. Seabrooks in Princeton. 

Excitement in the VVeatherly neighborhood was at fever heat. Farmers 
-t.'ppeil work in their fields and stock was allowed to suffer for lack of atten- 
tion. Every one felt that the deadful plague would not be checked until all 
were taken and families dumbly waited, watching and dreading to see who 
would be the lir-t of their loved ones to be stricken. The infected neighbor- 

h 1 was shunned by those living outside and farmers drove for miles oul 

their way t" and from Princeton, traveling 1>\ other roads than those 
which passed through the neighborhood. In the prevailing belief that the dis- 
ease can e •■lit of the ground, vegetables and fruit- were not eaten and gardi 
were allowed i" go unattended throughout the summer. Not until cool 
weather arrived did the fear winch possessed the people subside t" Mich an ex- 
tent that they resumed thejr natural vocations and mode of living. 

Physicians t'»>k what steps the) could to keep the disease from spread- 
ing and, though they believed at that time that cholera was contagious and 
n< a merely infectious, they adopted the right means to stamp out the epidemic. 
if lime were sprinkled in all cellars, outhouses and damp place-. 
Drinking water was boiled before being used and people were instructed t" 
keep their doors and windows open and get a- much fresh air a- possible, 
reci nl knowledge of cholera discloses the fact that the physicians could 
in 'i have done better service had they known as much concerning cholera a 
now known. Their service deserves high commendation, because they v 
then fight ner odds than would obtain at this til 

iurteen deaths are known to have occurred in the VVeatherly neighl 
hood in less than two week-, and many older people declare that, includ 
the .'• -'in Princeton, th< ms, 

Another small epidemic occurred in the vicinity of Wheeling, on the 
Patoka river, about eight miles northeast of Princeton. Five death- are 
known to have resulted in a familv named Hartwell an r two more 



_•-', GIBSON COUNTY, INDIANA. 

persons, names unknown at this time, are said to have died. The Hartwell 
home was burned, together with its contents, to check the spread of the dis- 
ease. These deaths occurred at about the same time that cholera was raging 
along Indian creek. 

The known total of deaths in Gibson county during the cholera epidemic 
of 1873 is twenty, but it is very probable that there were a few more. It was 
by far the worst epidemic of any disease which ever visited the county. 
Smallpox and other contagious and infectious diseases have claimed many 
more victims in the course of years, hut these epidemics were not considered 
in such a serious manner. 

Great credit reflects upon the physicians of Princeton and other towns 
in the county, for their brave service during the two cholera attacks. Though 
they had every reason to believe the infested In .me- were veritable death traps. 
they did not flinch in their devotion to duty, and fearlessly visited the stricken 
and did all in their power to ease their sufferings. In the present day a 
physician would go into a cholera-infected home with the positive assurance 
that he was running no risk, if proper measures were taken to ward off in- 
fection, hut that knowdedge has come since the last visitation of the disease 
in Gibson count}". 

In 1852 the practicing physicians of Princeton included Drs. \Y. \\ . 
Blair, J. J. Pennington. V. T. West. Andrew Lewis. Willoughby Walling, 
Hugh Patten. George B. Graff and W. G. Kidd. It is probable that all of 
these physicians were active in treating the cases. 

The physicians of 1873 included Drs. W. W. Blair, S. E. Munford, John 
Malone, V. T. West. James C. Patten. Richard Smith and others. 

Of all the physicians named in the foregoing lists. Dr. W. W. Blair is 
the only "lie surviving at this time 1 [914). Having passed through both 
epidemics, Doctor Blair is thoroughly familiar with the conditions which pre- 
vailed and recalls mam' startling, as well as some amusing incidents which 
occurred. In each epidemic he treated a number of cases of cholera. 

One of the most tragic incidents of the epidemic of 1852 occurred in a 
family by the name of Ritzie. When the epidemic was at its height. Mrs. 
Ritzie was suddenly stricken and other members of the family were also 
showing indications of having' contracted the disease. Mrs. Ritzie died be- 
fore a physician could be summoned, but a man on horseback was sent for 
Doctor Blair, and it was after nightfall when the physician arrived at the 
Ritzie home. The messenger would net go near the plague-stricken house 
and Doctor Blair approached it alone. There were no lights in the house and 



GIBSON COUN IV. [NDIANA. -'77 

a knock .u the door brought no response Doctor Blair enure. 1 the house 
and in the light from the dying embers in the fire-place a grewsome sight 
met his gaze. Upon one bed in the room lay the body of the \\ ife and mother. 
Upon another, laying crosswise, with the head almost touching the floor, was 
the bod^ of Mr. Ritzie, death having come but a short time before the arrival 
of Doctor Blair, and upon the same bed, totally unconscious of the terrible 
traged) which had been enacted about her, lay sleeping the little daughter, 
Margaret Ritzie, about six years old. Rousing the child from her slumber, 
Doctor Blair carried her from the house, mounted his horse and with the 
chiM in bis arms rode to a neighboring house where he sought entrance 
When tin- circumstances were learned, admittance was refused ami the Doc- 
tor was almost forced t<> fight his way into the home so i^reat was the fear of 
contagion. After much persuasion the family was prevailed upon t<> care for 
the little girl until she could he placed under the care of relatives. Margaret 
through the terrible experience without contracting the cholera, and 
lau-r in lite became the wife of Peter Hoffman, of Ft. Branch, where -he i- 
living at the present time. 

In the epidemic ol [852 much trouble was expei n procuring 

burial for the bodies of the unknown victims ami in a number of cases 1 

were found in isolated "shanties" along the canal, several days after death. 
In one instance the body of a man was found, so badly decomposed that no 
attempt at burial was made. The torch was applied t" the building ami the 
remains incinerated. 

Persons who were known to have been in the infected district v 
shunned and neighbors for weeks foll< 

them wa- manifested that in -•me cases suffering resulted. This was 
lly true in regard t" the Irish workmen who remained in the vicinity. 
The\ were not permitted to approach other persons. 

An amusing incident has been related, showing thai even though 
h immigrant li a terrible experience, it did not dull their 

fun-lo\ m, if th nted itself. The bodies of 

died during the s< mie ii 

taken t" V'incennes for burial and "ii om I t" 

\n vith tin- bod The coffin contain remains 

was plaeed in a one-horse ran. ■ mon at that time through 

..r near Princeton 'lie • of the funeral part} could not the 

n thei with a few drinks, and when later they 

imed th. had taken 1 



278 GIBSON COUNTY, INDIANA. 

tention was paid to the cart as they walked by its side and all went well until 
they reached a point a few miles north of Princeton, when the sudden realiza- 
tion came to one member of the cortege that the cart was empty. The corpse 
had disappeared. Search was instituted and on a hillside a mile or more 
back, the coffin was found lying in the road where it had slid, from the cart in 
going up the hill. The unfortunate victim was reloaded and eventually 
reached his final resting place at Vmcennes. 

Another amusing occurrence happened in Princeton during the epidemic 
of 1873. -A few davs following the death of Mrs. Seabrooks, an itinerant 
German butcher, who was accustomed to periodical sprees, suddenly fell on 
the sidewalk on the west side of the public square one morning. The cry 
was immediately raised that he had been attacked with cholera and for the 
next few hours the poor fellow was given a wide berth. However, the effects 
of his "jag" soon passed away and he sobered sufficiently to go home. Such 
an incident as this, while amusing, serves to illustrate the fear entertained by 
the public at large. 

Henry Blumm, a well known farmer residing south of Princeton on the 
old state road, is the only remaining member of a family which died from 
the effects of the cholera epidemic of 1852. His father and two or three 
brothers and sisters were victims and were buried on the farm which was 
situated near the old Wabash &• Erie canal, south of Francisco. Mr. Blumm 
was a baby at the time and has no recollection of any member of his family. 
He was taken and raised by a neighbor. 

One death is known to have occured in Owensville during the first epi- 
demic, it being that of a Mrs. Whiteman, of Princeton, who was visiting at 
Owensville. She was stricken during the night ami lived only a few hours. 

C. R. Howe, one of the older residents of Princeton, was living at 
Owensville at the time of Mrs. Whiteman's death and was sent to Princeton 
to notify relatives of her death. Mr. Howe declares that Princeton was in a 
condition of great excitement due to the death of a man named Woods, from 
the effects of cholera. Mr. Howe came no farther than the end of the Evans- 
ville & Crawfordsville railroad (Chicago & Eastern Illinois), which was in 
process of construction. A crowd was gathered waiting for the arrival of a 
train from Evansville. After looking at the first railroad train he had ever 
seen, Mr. Howe returned to Owensville. being afraid to stay longer in Prince- 
ton on account of the cholera. 

In 1K73 Gibson county was not the only locality to suffer greatly from 
the disease. At Mt. Vernon and trip iughi lut I '1 isey county the epidemic was 



GIBSON COl N IV. [NDIAN V 

prevalent. Hundreds fled to higher points away from the river. Albion, 
Illinois, was a refuge for a great number and they remained until the scourge 
had spent its fury. Other cities along the Ohio river al itly, 

including Cairo, Illinois, Paducah and Henderson, Kentucky, and Evansville. 
At the latter place, however, the death ratio was not large 

For the most part the people of Princeton, fearing the disease, stayed at 
home and families kept as much to themselves as possible. But little busii 
was transacted. 

In the preparation of this article the writer has endeavored to rei 
only well established facts concerning the two epidemics of cholera which 

ted Gibsi nty. The incidents related are largely reminiscences 

people who passed through them, or have data in support of the authenticity 
of the incident related. A number of other stones concerning deaths, priva- 
tions and the excitement which prevailed have not been recordi ise the) 
were unsupported by any reliable data. In many eases, names of persons and 
families mentioned rect, so far as the memory of some old resident 
is not at fault. Every effort has been made to guard against errors of this 
nature. 'The desire of the writer is to perpetuate onl) the truth and keep 
fresh the memory of those upon whom honor and glory reflects. Incidents 
ncerning the conduct of any person or persons which east am other reflec- 
tion are best forgotten. No doubt these occurred, hut it is just as true that 
buried in the forgotten history of the past are mam stories of heroic bravery 
and sacrifice, enacted by men and women whose names are forgotten by 
mortal man. but whose deeds are recorded by Him who "doeth all things 
well." They have received their reward. 



CHAPTER XX. 

A NEIGHBORHOOD RETROSPECT. 

How dear to my beniM are the scenes of my childhood, 
When fond recollection presents them to view: 

The orchard, the meadow, the deep-taugled wildwood, 
And every loved spol which my infancy knew. 

Breathes there a man with soul so dead that these lines from Wood- 
worth's familiar poem, "The Old (taken Bucket", has not stirred within 
him a responsive chord of memory and reflection? A man "whose heart 
hath ne'er within him burned, as home his footsteps he hath turned:" Pity 
the man who had no home in childhood to which he might turn in fond 
reflection in after years. Much more to be pitied and to be despised is the 
man, who, "though high his titles and proud his name." has no reverence 
nor regard for the home and friends of his childhood. 

The sentiment expressed in the lines of Woodworth was vividly in my 
mind as I found occasion a short time ago to visit some of the "loved 
spots which my infancy knew." in a neighborhood about four miles north- 
east of Princeton. It was "the fond recollection" of scenes and incidents 
in tins neighborhood in the long ago that furnished the inspiration for this 
-ketch, a sketch somewhat historical and largely personal. 

With the splendid rock roads and modern conveyance it is a short and 
easy journey to the late homestead of John M. Stormont, in the neighbor- 
Mi which is to furnish the material for this sketch. In pioneer times this 
farm was known as the Kell place. Like all the early settlers, the Kells lo- 
cated their home on the highest hill the}' could find, avoiding the lowlands 
and bottoms and the malaria which was supposed to be prevalent there. 
Here Alexander R. Kell. a son of the first settlers, built him a home, adding 
several acres to the homestead of his ancestors. Some of these acres are 
very broken and hilly and a great amount of hard labor was required in 
getting these lands in shape for cultivation. But there are acres of com- 
paratively level land on the farm on which good crops are raised. The 
present owner, who made his home here until a few years ago, had made 
some modern improvements about his house and barn, among others a 



GIBSON COUN IV. I ND] WW. jS I 

system of water works I rom a large cistern, or reservoir, supplied with 
water from a driven well, operated bj a wind-mill ]>um|>. located "ii a liill 
near the barn, water i- carried bj pipes i" the house and barn in sufficient 
supply foi -hick and domestic purposes 

In our wanderings aboul this place we fina the top of the 

hill where this reservoir is located, and here we have a view of the country 
for miles around. Standing on this summit, in the middle of a field now 
under cultivation, it is not much of a stretch of memory t" recall the tunc 
when this, and nearly all the country around, was an unbroken forest. Wind- 
ing through what was then a woods, ii"t far from the place where we are 
standing, there was a narrov country read, winch was the connecting link 
between the old Kirk'- mill and the Dongola roads, as these were known 
then. This narrow, winding road was much traveled in the days m which 
my memory i- now centered. And 1 am reminded of one incident that 
curred <>n this road, not far from the place where we are now standing, which 
i- still fresh in the memory of the few living participants. It will be of in- 
terest t" these tew, and perhaps others, to relate tin- story. 

I VRLY TIME WEDD1 ' 

In early times, in tin- neighborhood, a- in others, it was the custom t" 
make a -real t i-do about a wedding ceremony. In those tune- a wedd 
was strictly a neighborhood affair, and all the neighborhood was interested, 
and they were nearly all and always there when the ceremony was pulled off. 
A surprise wedding was practically impossible in those days. There v 
no secret marriages, ami it was n<>t customary, nor considered proper, for 
young people t" seek an affinity outside "i the families living in the neighbor- 
hood. Everybody knew who was going l<> marry and when the nuptial c, 
mom was i" take place, and everybody began in ample time t<> make prepara- 
attend. No engraved invitation, or an) other -"ft of invitation was 
\ v. day was usually if neighborhood holiday. It 

was the custom t" have a procession, composed "t the friends "t the bride 
and bridegroom, respectively, who would assemble at the respective homes "i 
the higl ai the appointed hour, mi the day of ti 

the bride's party, in buggies and on horseback, would -tart 
from her ho ' i" the home "t' the groom, where they would 

-i" hi that was t" serve as his escort Then the combined pro- 
headed b) that Mt the groom, would return t<> the home of the bride 
for the ceremony. The groom, clothed in the conventional v 



_•>_' GIBSO.N COUNTY, INDIANA. 

garments of those times, always rode in front of the procession. A neces- 
sary part of the groom's conventional outfit was a plug hat. Whatever else 

he might lack in worldly g Is or wearing apparel, the young man of those 

times would not think of fixing the date of his wedding until he was sure 
that somehow he could arrange for a plug hat to wear on that occasion. It 
might be the first, last and only time he would wear this sort of head gear, 
but his concern was only for the present requirements and customary pro- 
prieties. 

The combined procession of the bride and groom, with much display of 
ribbons, banners and blowing <>i horns, was a spectacle to attract attention as 
it passed along the way to the home of the expectant bride, where the minister 
was in waiting and the ceremony was duly performed. But it was not all 
over yet. The next day was the "infare", when the same sort of a proces- 
sion escorted the newly-weds to the home of the groom, where dinner was 
served and a day of hilarity enjoyed by those present. Then, after these two 
days of hurry and ceremony, the neighborhood settled down to the usual 
work and quiet. 

HOW A WILD STEEE IKK MID PANIC IN A WEDDING PROCESSION. 

The incident I started to relate was connected with a wedding celebra- 
tion hke that described. The procession from the home of the bride passed 
along the winding road through the woods near the place where we are now 
standing, on the way to the home of the groom, a half mile distant. Headed 
by the escort of the groom, the procession passed along this same road on 
their return to the home of the bride. The procession was marked by much 
display, in the way of decorated vehicles, banners, ribbons and loud apparel, 
and the blowing of horns. Everything went as merry as the traditional mar- 
riage bell until the procession was passing along the road through this woods. 
Then something happened that was not down on the program. 

That same day Paul Habig, Jake Kolb and Bob Kirkman were out in 
this part of the country looking after some cattle to supply their meat market 
in Princeton. In the bunch they were driving to town was one wild, untamed 
steer that manifested an unwillingness to be separated from his accustomed 
grazing grounds. The cattle buyers had been chasing this wild steer for 
hours and had managed to get him as far as this woods about the time of the 
approach of the bridal procession. He was a hundred yards or so from the 
road when the horn blowing and the loud apparel of the passing show at- 
tracted his attention and he at once made a wild dash in that direction. Down 



GIBSON COl \ IV. INDIANA. 283 

through the thick underhrush came this wild beasl of the forest, with head 
erect and tail extended, bawling as he came. It is not difficult to imagine the 
effect of this terrifying spectacle. Horses were panic stricken and so were 
occupants of the gaily bedecked vehicles on ruled 

where but a moment before there was joy and hilarity. The screams and 
shrieks of the women, the shouts of the drivers of vehicles, as they tried to 
control the terrified horses, and. withal, the bawling of that wild steer as he 
came flying through the brush, constituted a that lacked nothing for 

excitement. Nothing like this had been seen and heard in these woods since 
the Indians left. 

Many of the horses became unmanageable and broke away through the 
woods, dashing bug linst trees and seriously injuring the occupants. 

Fortunatelj nunc of the injuries were serious. The most serious of the 
casualties was in broken harness and wrecked vehicles. Some oi the horses, 
finding themselves free from harness and other incumbrance, made a bee line 
for home, leaving their owners to get out of that scrape the best thej could 

Things are never so bad but what they might be worse. It was so in 
this case. The procession finally gol itself together again: Those who w 
disabled in body, or in wreck of family carriage, were senl to their homes 

the remnant proceeded on their way to the place of ceremony. But the 
remainder of the journey was without pomp <>r hilarity. That untamed steer 
had put a crimp in all that, hut it was some satisfaction t" know that his glory 
was short lived. He was finally driven to town and t" the slaughter. But 

tins escapade in these w Is had "tie good result it ended that fashion 

lishness on wedding occasions. litis was the last of that kind in that 

jjhborh 

■i this hill, which is now our viewpoint fur what follows, with 
the aid of a field glass, we can see the farms and farm houses on the lulls 
beyond Patoka river, in Washington township, as we look toward the north, 
Looking t" the east, we u'et a view of the lands in Columbia township, and 
"ii a clear day can see the siii"ke from manufacturing industries in Oakland 
City. This i- a tine viewpoint fur all the country, for eight or ten miles 
around, a country of line farms and fertile fields now, hut largely covered 
with unbroken forest of much line timber at the time in which my memory 
dwelK. But it i- a retrospeel of this immediate neighborhood that interests 
me most jusl now. From this viewpoint I can easily locate the homes 

those who were the pioneers in this neighborh 1. and it is of these that my 

st..rv will dead 



284 GIBSON COUNTY, INDIANA. 

CHARACTER SKETCHES VISIONS OF THE PAST FROM A HILL-TOP. 

Looking down the slope of this hill, as we face east, the house that is 
first in view is on the site of the old homestead of John Carithers, who came 
with his family from Tennessee in 1836. lie was a man of sturdy principle 
and rather above the average in intellectual attainments in those days. His 
education was sufficient to qualify him for teaching school and he engaged 
in this occupation part of the time after coming to this state. Like most of 
those who settled in this neighborhood. Air. Carithers had left his home in 
the South because of his opposition to slavery, and he hesitated not to declare 
his convictions as to that blighting evil in his Tennessee home. Coming to 
Indiana, he brought his principles with him. Here he manifested his oppo- 
sition to slavery and the slave traffic, not only in preaching, but also in prac- 
tice. In the days of the "underground railroad" his house became one of the 
stations, and his sympathies and efforts were actively enlisted in behalf of 
bondmen .seeking freedom. The old barn that stood on the site we now 
have in view has harbored many a black man trying to escape to the land of 
liberty. His place was always under suspicion, and often visited by the 
slave-hunters, but the) seldom found what they were looking for. This was 
before the days of wireless telegraphy, but these "underground railroad" 
stations had a system that enabled them to operate their lines under a code 
of signals equal to any of the modern methods of communication. By some 
secret code or sign, which was well understood by the runaway slave and 
those aiding him. he was passed along from one station to another until he 
reached Canada, the land of freedom. Xo man. of whatever color or con- 
dition, ever came to the home of John (anthers seeking food or shelter 
and was sent away unsatisfied. He was a grand Christian man, whose 
life and influence was a blessing and a benediction on the community in which 
he lived. The only members of this family now living are Airs. Jane Reid, 
Morning Sun, Iowa, anil Airs. Louise Peoples, Princeton. 

Looking a little to the left, about a quarter of a mile distant, we have 
in view the place where Josiah E. Carithers, sun of the above mentioned, 
built a log house in the woods and started keeping house, more than half a 
century ago. lie had taken for his wife and help-meet Elizabeth Lockhart, 
whose family home was about half a mile east. Here he continued to live, 
clearing out the forest, adding cultivated acres to the original homestead, 
until he had one oi the best farms in the neighborhood. Owing to declining 
health, he removed to Princeton about three years ago, where he died in 



GIBSON COUNTY, [NDIANA. 285 

January, [914, at an advanced age. Eie was the last of the early settlers to 
lea \ e this neightx ► t- 1 1 • « 

i >n the hill directh east "i where we are standing is the place where 
William Murphy lived for about two generations. It was not much of a 
farm that Mr. Murphj owned, but he managed to live on it and reared a 
large family. He had the finest blackberry patch in the neighborhood in 
early times, lie also had some excellent apples in his orchard, as some 
the boys of that time could testify. These same boys could also testify to 
the fact that extreme caution was necessary for the trespassers in the Mur- 
phy orchard, on account of the Murphj dogs, thai kept faithful watch over 
the same. Verj often the incautious trespasser found it necessary to climb a 
tree to avoid a controversy with these dogs, and he was compelled to remain 
there, regardless of the weather, until the dog watch was relieved. 

Looking toward the southeast, we can see the old homestead of Mathew 
rk, and also that of William (lark, both early settlers, who came in with 
the ; In later years the Mathew (lark farm came into the 

possession of Clarence V Buskirk, who planted it in fruit tree- and made it 
a line fruit farm. Still further east we get a view of the places where Samuel 
Lawrence and William Lawrence, respectively, founded a home when thej 
came t<> this count) from < (hio. A little to the right we locate the farm and 
homestead of Dustin Mills, who was probabl) one of the earliest settli 

came from Maine and located here in [816 Hi was among the best 
fanner- i his time. 1 h- farm, fences, house and other buildings were al- 
ways kept in good repair, and everything about the premises was remarkable 
for neatness and g 1 taste. 

S WHO ESC U'KIt Til 1 IR 1 

Just hey. .nil the Samuel Lawrence place are the William Harbinson 
Mr. Harbinson was a South ( arolinian, a gentleman of the old schi 

He was the m..si neal and dressj person in the neighborh 1. and evi 

thin In- place conformed t.. his personal appearance. Nothinj 

enly nor untidy was permissible in his person or possessions. \nd this re- 
min< ■ lc. or an escapade, that may as well he related here. 

As has ted, Mr. Harbinson was verj particular to have everytl 

and atti and, in accordance with this di- 

. opening int.. the driveway from the public 
; . leading t.. his h.>us<-. which ted in a grove a few hundred 

is from tlie road. This gate was made h\ Mr Harbinson himself, v 



286 GIBSON COl XTY. INDIANA. 

was a fine carpenter. It was of fine black walnut, and painted white, the 
pride of the maker and the admiration of all who passed that way. It at- 
tracted the attention of a bunch of buys, returning from the Lawrence school- 
house, ime cold, rainy winter evening. They also admired the gate, but 
manifested their admiration in a rather scandalous way. Some satanic spirit, 
that sometimes gets possession of boys, suggested that this gate needed some- 
thing further in the way of decoration, and this suggestion immediately took 
active form. In the muddy road they found an abundance of decorating ma- 
terial to their liking, and they at once proceeded to apply it. With hastily 
made paddles, with bare hands, and with an industry and energy unusual for 
boys engaged in legitimate work, they soon had that gate thoroughly daubed 
and plastered. It was a sight to make angels weep, and these boys would 
doubtless have been engaged in a similar tearful exercise if the owner had 
happened along before the job bad been completed and they had made their 
get-away. That night it turned cold, and the mud on that gate, and every- 
thing else, froze hard and tight. Thus the owner found it when he essayed 
i ilrive out the next morning. That beautiful gate would not stand ajar, 
however much he might jar it. so be found it necessary to open a gap in the 
fence until the weather moderated sufficiently to thaw the mud on the gate. 
Air. Harbinson was somewhat gifted in the use of a vigorous and expressive 
vocabulary, and it is not at all unlikely that be exercised that gift to the fullest 
when he discovered the condition of things. 

Somehow the boys who engaged in this decorative art managed to get 
by the school teacher ( Arthur Trimble I. who held a court of inquiry in re- 
gard to the matter the next day, and it so happened that their respective 
parents overlooked a stern duty. But the information came that the owner of 
that gate had secured the names of the boys, and that be had registered a vow 
to give to the leader of that bunch, especially, what was coming to him, on 
sight. So, the leader, being apprised of this duly registered vow, and being 
fully persuaded that the indignant owner of the gate meant what he said, 
decided that, whatever there might be coming to him, he would just as soon 
wait; that, in order to avoid unpleasant consequences, it would be the part 
of discretion to keep himself out of sight. 

In pursuance of this policy, by cutting across fields, and an occasional 
dodging behind trees, as the owner of this gate would be seen from a dis- 
tance driving along the road, this undesired interview was avoided and the 
registered vow was never fulfilled. It was some years after this that the 
lUtlawed transgressor first met .Mr. I larbinson, face to face, as he was driving 
out from town. Then the boy had on the uniform of a soldier and he had 



GIBSON mi \ i v. INDIANA. _■*" 

then no inclination t>> avoid a meeting. But it was not necessary, as Mr. 
Harbinson was in a friendly frame of mind now. lie- manifested it by ^ri 
ting "ut of his buggy and, extending his hand to the young soldier, congratu- 
lated him i n his having enlisted in the army, and expressed a wish for his 
success and a safe return home. A suggested apolog) for past indiscretion 
was mel with a laugh by Mr. Harbinson, remarking that no apology was 
necessan for that boyish freak, espei ince the boys who engaged in it 

were now enlisting in the service of their country. With friendly counsel 
and admonition, Mr. Harbinson bid the young soldier farewell and godspeed 
-and thus, unconsciously, administered a more effective punishment than the 
i me threatened j car- before. 

g again to view the landscape o'er, looking toward the northeast, 
across Lost I !reek valley, we recognize the old home of I homas Wallace, an- 
other Tennesseean, \\h" did his full share of the work that converted these 
forests into fruitful fields. He lived in that house, and labored in these for- 
ests and fields, for more than two generations, and here he died, a few years 
. at an advanced age. There were never better neighbors, nor a more 
kind-hearted people, than Uncle Tom Wallace, and his faithful wife, who 
preceded him to the grave but a few years. 

Within a stone's throw, almost, looking toward the north, is the place 
where James Stormont established a home, and where he lived for forty 
irs "i" more. Still further, looking in the same direction, is the old home 
William Stormont. About 1836 he settled there, in the woods, on a small 
tract of land and built a small \>>^ house. Year after year he added acn 
acre and. by hard and patient labor, changed forest into cultivated field, 
until he owned in one bod) a fine farm of over three hundred acres. Ii, 
continued t" live on this farm until [873, when he sold it. rem Prince- 

ton and bought another farm near the town. He continued t" devote his 
attention t" his farming interests up to the time of his death, which occuri 

1. iN'14. at the age of eighty-six years. William and James Stor- 
mont wen- of the tribe of Stormonts who came I n South Carolina in 
1 their opposition t<> slavery, ["he father of the tribe settled 
on the hilK. half a mile east of where we are now standing, where David, the 
youi the tribe. lived for the greater part of his life. James Stormont, 
the father, died in the old heme in [862, at the a jhtv-nine vears 



288 GIBSON COUNTY, INDIANA. 

MEMO!; IKS OF A HOME AND A MOSS-COVERED BUCKET. 

Almost within speaking distance is the place where Andrew Carithers 
settled when he came here from his Tennessee home. This was the home 
of a revered grandfather and a sainted grandmother, a place of sacred mem- 
ory in the writer of this sketch. I I ere they lived their full measure of days. 
and then passed <ui to their place m that house in it made with hands. The 
only member of this family now living is .Mrs. John Dunlap, whose home is 
now in Chicago. In that loved spot, which my infancy knew as grand- 
mother's home, there is nothing that fond recollection presents to view more 
vividly than the old well, with its old-fashioned well-sweep, and the moss- 
covered bucket, that brought from the well's pebbled bottom the purest and 
sweetest water thai nature can yield. J fancy that it was a well, with an equip- 
ment like this, that inspired Woodworth's "< )ld < )aken Bucket". How often. 
in after years, especially in the years of army service, has the memory turned 
to the refreshing, sparkling water in that well. In the days of long, dry and 
dusty marches, with scant supply oi water, often obtained from stagnant 
pools, or muddy creek-, the thirsty soldier would longingly think of that 
moss-covered bucket, dripping with coolness as it rose from the well. With 
slight variation, and with an apology to the author, these lines from Wood- 
worth will express the thought: 

Far removed from the loved situation. 

The tear of regret would intrusively swell, 

And fancy revert to grandmother's habitation, 
And sigh for the bucket that hung in the well, 

The old oaken bucket, the iron-bound bucket, 
The moss-covered bucket, that hung in the well. 

THE M \KE_MSnx HOME — ol.li LOG SCHOOL HOUSE. 

< hi account of the intervening hills we can bardie see it, but memory 
easily fixes the place, directly north, which was the old home of Andrew 
Makemson, an earnest Christian man, a patriarch, of my boyhood fancy. 
This home was on the hills overlooking Patoka river bottoms. It was a log 
house, of the primitive type and primitive furnishings, with the wide, ca- 
pacious fire-place common to those times. As 1 remember it. the walls of 
the interior of that house were always neatly papered with copies of the 
Cincinnati Hollar Times, a family news and storv paper, of which Air. 



GIBSON i "i \ i v. l MM v\ v 

Makemson was a regular subscriber. This interior decoration is fixed in 
memory by impressions made in attendance on the neighborhood prayer- 
meetings, which were frequentlj held at this house. On such ns it 
was tin.' custom to have benches around tin- room, next the wall, for the b 
to sit on. i here were usually enough chairs to accommodate tin oldei 
They had long prayers at these meetings, all kneeling. But the boys, who 
faced the wall in this kneeling position, never wearied on annum of these 
extended supplications, unless, perchance, some of the newspapers on the 
wall should be pasted upside down, so thai they could not read the stories 
which the paper contained. How long Mr. Makemson lived in this house I 
have ii" knowledge, but I recall a boyhood fancy that he lived there longer 
than was necessary; that he was fitted for glory sometime before he was 
called from thai home on the hill to one that was higher and more enduring. 
'Mi another tract of land, adjoining, was the home of a son, Joseph 
Makemson. He hewed the logs and built the house in which he lived during 

his lifetime. Another son, Anderson, grew to manh 1 in the old home, and 

lived there after his lather'- death. As one of the younger 

generation, he contributed his full share of the hard work incident to farm 
life in those early times. Anderson Makemson is still living, a respected 
citizen of Princeton, and lie is the lone survivor of those who lived and 
worked with the early settlers of this neighborhood. The only other mem- 
of the Makemson family living are John, who lives in Iowa, and Mrs. 
Millis, better known as Mag Makemson in the times of which I am writi 
whose home is in Kansas. Near the Makemson home was the old log sch 
house, where the youth of the neighborhood received such education as was 

nlcd in early times. One of those who attended school here was James 
Makemson, an older member of that family, as is evidenced by the follow- 

certificate. This certificate was found (as this manuscript was written) 
in an old family Bible of lames Stormont, Sr., where it has evidently been 
i seventy years. Just whj this certificate came into the hands of the 
owner of this Bible, and why it wa refully preserved during all the 

years the I k was in daily use. is not explainable. Anyhow, this old docu- 
ment has lain in its hiding place long enough to entitle it to a place in tl 
story, without explanation or apology, and a copy i< here given: 

"I. Borland, teacher of the school districl N r o. 2 in Patoka town- 

ship No. -• south, and range No. ro west, in the county of Gibson, do certify 
that lanu-s Makemson, of districl X" . of township No. i south, and 

o) 



29O GIBSON COUNTY, INDIANA. 

range No. 10 west, in said county, has attended at this school since the 26th 
day of March, A. D. 1842. aim muting- in the aggregate to 29 days. 

"Given under my hand and seal, this 4th day of August, A. D. 1843. 

"Francis Borland (Seal)." 
"State of Indiana, County of Gibson, ss: 

"Personally appeared before me, a Justice of the Peace, for the county 
aforesaid, Francis Borland, the within named teacher, who subscribed the 
within certificate, before me. and. being duly sworn, says the within certifi- 
cate is true. 

"Given under my band and seal this 4th day of August. A. D. 1843. 

"A. C. Mills, J. P. (Seal.)" 

THE OLD CROSSWAY LEADING To KIRK'S MILL. 

Many other things of interest come to mind in looking over the country 
from this viewpoint, but we will leave them for the present and move to an- 
other point, a mile or more to the northeast, to a hill beyond the Page school 
house. From this hill, looking north and east, we see marvelous changes that 
have taken place since the time of boyhood memory. Then, all this country 
was a vast swamp, an impenetrable wilderness, inhabited by snakes, frogs, 
lizards, mud turtles and various kinds of wild animals. Now. this same coun- 
try is a great cornfield, as far as the eye can reach, and comprises some of the 
most valuable and most productive land in the county. The greater part of 
these productive acres, looking to the north and west, are the lands of Alfred 
Mauck and Thomas Carithers. respectively. ( )n the hill, to the left of where 
we are standing, is the old homestead of William Morrow. Here he lived 
for more than half a century, and here he died a few years ago, at an ad- 
vanced age. At the foot of the lull is the site of the old homestead of Mrs. 
Hannah Mills, or Mrs. Dillon, as she was known in later life. Starting from 
near her home was the old "crossway," as it was called, which was the road 
that led through the forest and swamp to Kirk's mill, a mile and a half dis- 
tant, ribs thoroughfare was constructed with logs, laid crosswise, and it 
was the only connection between the bills, on the one side of the swamp, and 
Kirk's mill, ami the country beyond on the other. This "crossway" was an 
exceedingly rough road to travel, but it was much traveled in pioneer times, 
not for pleasure but because of necessity. This was the only way for the 
people on this side to get to Kirk's mill, which was the main dependence 
for corn meal, and corn meal was the staff of life in those times. 

In the early fifties there began quite an increase in the emigration from 
Ireland and Scotland. A great many of these emigrants came to Gibson 



GIBSON COl n I v. INDIAN v Jin 

county, and most of them t<> t lii > neighborhood. This emigration was in- 
duced, largely, by Rev. Dr. John Stott, who came from Ireland about that 
time, and became pastor of the Reformed Presbyterian church (Old Side) 
in Princeton. Most of those who came with him, or followed soon after, 
were Dr. Stott's parishioners in the old country. These Irish people \ 
all of industrious habits and a good class of citizens. Some of those who 

rank- to this neighborh I had sufficient means to buy land and establish 

a home, l>ut most of them came with small mean- and depended on day la 
for a living. But they were ready and willing for any kind of work and they 
found ii" trouble in getting employment, In a few years, by thrift and 
economy, thej were all able to purchase land and engage in farming on their 
own account. Many of them became quite well to do. Some of the best 
[arm-, in thi> neighborhood were made by these Irish settlers, who started 
from a small beginning, and the development of this part of the county is 
largelj due to I terprise and industry. ^.mong these early settlers 

who contributed theii part t< i this ,u-\ elopment, and w hose farms are within a 
half mile of where we are now standing, are the following: William 
Morrow, whose location has already been mentioned; John Mooney, the 
Mahans, Samuel, James, John and Hugh; James Morrow, James Boal, Henry 
er, Robert Dixon, William Lawson, and '.titers. The Andersons, who 
came about the same time, settled on farm, on the State road, ah 

four miles south of Princeton. All of these, and their descendants, were 
among the best citizens of the county. 

REI lianls n VBITS OF THE CO\ I N VNTERS. 

Taking them as a whole, the people of the neighborh 1. over which 

we have taken this retrospective view, were above the for intelli- 

ce and moral integrity. It was a strictl) religious community, in tl 
of which we write. The people were nearly all of the Reformed Presbyterian 

h, better known as "Covenanters". Some were "Old Side" and some 
"New Side", but whatever side they were on each and me adhered 

strictly to the faith. While the- ous habits were more pr< 

the Sabbath, it was not a "Sunday religion" that they practiced. Every day 
in the week it was exemplified, especially morning and evening, when the old 
family Bible was brought into service, and the old Psalms were sung and the 
long prayers were made. At this service, not only the children of the hou 
hold were required to l>e present and take part, but also the man-servant, the 
maid-servant, and the lured hands, and th< happened to 



292 GIBSON COUNTY, INDIANA. 

within the gates. The hired hand, perchance, might be the man who drove 
three yoke of oxen during the daw and freely used expressions incident to 
such occupation, but that did not exempt him from singing psalms at the 
morning and evening worship. Everybody about the house knew when the 
Sabbath came, even the household dog understood that it was different from 
oilier days. Whatever inclination he might have to frisk and play on other 
days of the week, he learned, by instinct, that the frisky disposition should 
be suppressed on this day. No need of printed cards inviting everybody to 
"go to church today." Everybody went, by force of habit and without per- 
suasion, and they remained for the two long sermons, with a short interval 
between for the cold biscuit refreshments. Unless the occasion was unusual, 
they got home by three or four o'clock, ready for the simple meal, the most 
of which ha<l been prepared the day before. The rest of the afternoon and 
evening was occupied in reading the Bible and such religious literature as 
Baxter's "Saint's Rest." studying the catechism, etc., closing the day with 
answering questions in the catechism by all, old and young, followed by the 
u^ual family devotions. And this is the way the Sabbath was observed by 
the Covenanters who peopled this community. Quite a contrast between this 
and the modern war, with the Sunday baseball and other amusements. There 
may be those who are of the opinion that the modern manner of Sabbath 
observance is more conducive to good citizenship and higher ideals of char- 
acter and conduct, but the truth of history, and a comparison of the past and 
present citizenship, does not sustain that opinion. 

SCHOOLS AND SCHOOLMASTERS. 

As most of these early settlers came from the South, where opportunities 
for education were usually limited, not many of them had an education be- 
yond ability to read and write. But they knew the necessity of an educa- 
tion, and were concerned in providing better opportunities for their children 
than had been enjoyed by themselves. So the school house made its appear- 
ance verv soon after the first settlement. The first school houses were of the 
primitive type, of course. They were built of logs, covered with clap-boards, 
wide chimney, built of sticks and daubed with mud. Furniture, split logs 
for benches, a rough board around the wall for a desk, and all the other 
appointments of corresponding simple character. One of these school houses 
was located near the Makemson home, as has already been mentioned. This, 
however, was somewhat in advance of some of the primitive type in its con- 
struction and furnishings. It was built of hewn logs and had glass windows, 



GIBSON COUNTY, INDIANA. 293 

and some benches made of plank. Among the teachers who wielded the 
birch at this place, for ability t" wield the birch was an essential requisite for 
a teacher's quali al that time, were James McConnell, Nelson K. Crow, 

Monroe Barton, John Kill. Lewis A. Townsend, and some others beyond 
memory's recall, < H these, Monroe Barton is still living, in St. Louis. Along 
al" >m [856 the neighbors decided to build a better school house, in a m 
convenient place. \ subscription was raised by which sufficient funds were 
ured to build a frame building, which was located on the road directly 
opposite the William Stormonl residence. This was called the Greenwood 
school house, and it still stands, though a little distance from its first loca- 
tion. In deciding on the plan- for this house, there v, contention 
among the subscribers to the building fund as to the arrangements for hi 
Some of the more progressive were in favor of a stove, but othi 
argued that stoves were unhealthy and insisted that the old-fashioned fire- 
place was the only method that should be used in warming a school house. 
At one of the meetings in which this question was discussed, one of the most 
obstinate of the adi for the tire-place said he had made a canvass of 

the neighborh 1 interested in the school and found a majority on his side. 

Some "i those interviewed, he said, told him that there was more comfort in 
being outside in a cold day and seeing smoke coming from a chimney that 
had a fire-place, than being inside bj a heated stove. And a majority 
that meeting said, "them's my sentiments, too," and so the fire-place was 
decided on. Bui it was not a success, \ stove had to be put in sunn after 
the building was first i iccupied. 

Of the long line of teachers who have held forth here the most n 

ne by the name of I). L. Summers. He drifted in (drifted is right) 

lie was introduced in the neighborhood by a man by the name 

of Anderson, who was a geographj school in the neighborhood at 

that time. Anderson's geography instruction was by means of "inline maps, 

to music, and he made quite a hit with his method. He also made ■ 
a hit for Summers, when he arranged for Summers to make a ten 

ire at the Greenwood school house. Summers made a powerful speech, 
the greatest temperance address. tl K - most eloquent appeal in behalf of that 

• e that had ever been heard in that neighborh 1. lie proved t" he a man 

n, a graduate • ■! Vale ' ollege, In- claimed, lie applied for a 
sell ■• and was empli ■ ■■ ipensatii 

of that time. In his one term here he did not show an) 
her. although he was a great scholar, \fter one term 



-'94 GIBSON COUNTY, [NDIANA. 

at Greenwood, Summers went to Francisco, where he was engaged in teach- 
ing t< ir a time. 

The Lawrence school house, near the Dustin Mills home, was somewhat 
more progressive than others of the neighborhood. It was the first frame 
building and had many other advanced ideas as to appointments. The Law- 
rence school was more largely attended and usually had better teachers than 
any of the others in the neighborhood. The Page school house, near the 
Morrow place, was a frame building, and was the educational center for the 
youth of that vicinity. And then there was an old log school house hid away 
in the bushes, in an out of the way place, on Indian creek, near the David 
Stormont farm. About the only advantage one could see in locating a school 
in a place like that, was that it was so convenient to the brush from which 
a supply 'if switches could he obtained. There was no reason why there 
should he any delay in the "lickin' " along with the "larnin' " in that school, 
and. so far as the memory of this writer goes, there wasn't any delay in this 
exercise. 

A NOTABLE RECORD OF MILITARY SERVICE IX THE CIVIL WAR. 

When the Civil war came, and there was a call for volunteers, the re- 
sponse made by the men and hoys of this neighborhood was a credit to their 
loyalty and patriotism. It is not a matter of wonder that a community so 
largely composed of Scotch Covenanters should he loyal to their country, 
and he ready to make sacrifice, if need he. m defense of their convictions. 
They have a record for stalwart patriotism from their earliest history. In 
tin: Highlands of Scotland it is said of them that they were ever ready to do 
battle, or to sing psalms, and that they often engaged in both at the same 
time. It is not strange, that in a community composed of families who had 
borne constant testimony against a national evil and, failing to eradicate or 
restrain that evil, had abandoned home ami sacrificed property in the South- 
land, that they might get themselves and their families away from all the 
blighting influences of that evil; it is not strange that a community of such 
people should train up sons who yvould he ready to manifest the faith and 
convictions of their fathers. It is not a matter of wonder that these sons 
would he read\- to manifest the supreme test of patriotism, when occasion 
required it. It is not a matter of wonder that the exemplary life and benign 
influence of such people should have an impression, not only upon the fami- 
lies of their faith, hut also upon the entire community. The notable record 
which was made by this neighborhood in enlistments in the Civil war must 
he attributed largely to this influence. 



GIBSON C01 \ ' Y. 1 \!>l \\ \. 295 

lii the neighborh 1 comprising the four school districts that have been 

mentioned, a territor) of about two miles square, something like one hundred 
men and boys enlisted in the army, most of them serving through the war. 
Mam of them gave their lives in defense of the flag. Following are the 
names of those that ran be recalled, and the regiment in which they served: 

Seventeenth Indiana — John Aydelott, James Boal, Alex Carithers, Rob- 
ert Dixon, John Mehan, Hugh Mehan, John O. Sprowl, Andrew R. Stor- 
mont, Joseph Davidson, James II. Paul, Thomas J. Stott, John Whitsett, 
I [enry < ireer, Joe Wilson. 

Twenty-Fourth Indiana — George Griffin, David Legier, Frank M. Red- 
burn. George McCue, P. Swain. 

Thirty-Third Indiana — Henry Griffin, Frank M. Grigsby, David Kirk, 
William Makemson, Gavin M. Stormont, \V. E. Townsend, William Virden, 
Henry Van Campen, Lewis VanCampen, Theo. W. Wallace. James A. Evans, 
\\ .1.1 .egier, Jam McFetridge. 

Fifty-Eighth Indiana— John C. (lark. Hugh M. < lark, lames T. David- 
son, John Gillespie, William I Gillespie, Jacob E. Gillespie, Byron Mills, Al- 
bert Mill>. James Page, John Redburn, W. J. Redburn, W. L. Sin-owl. John 
R. Sprowl. fnmes A. Sprowl. Gil. R. Stormont, John M. Stormont. Samuel 
Lawrence, James Curry, Amos Legier, Thomas Johnson. 

Sixty-Fifth Indiana — William Boswell, Thomas Boswell, Hugh Har- 
binson, James Hussey, James Lytle. 

Eightieth Indiana \. I. Carithers, John Clark, Hugh M. Clark, Jr., Si- 
mon Sprowl J. Renwick Stormont. John C. Wilson. Samuel J, Wall 
fames S. KH1, W. II. McCracken, lames Carithers. 

One Hundred and Twentieth Indiana Dale II"- 

ind Thirty-Third Indiana— James W. Little. 
1 Hundred and Thirty-Sixth Indiana John Daugherty. 

One Hundred and Forty ar Vydelotte, Vnderson 

Makemson. Moses Griffin, J. W. Keith. Miller Murphy. William C. Lawrence, 
Samuel Murphy, Conrad Grubb. 

Twenty-Fifth Iowa Thomas Clark. 

< >ne Hundred and Fifteenth [Him rge W. Mills, \V. Gordon 

Mills. 

I irsl Indiana Cavalrj Daniel ( onner, Eb Curry, Joe Daugherty, Sam 

Allan. Harve Mc< lellan. 

th [ndiana Cavalry William B. Whitsett. 

lib gimenl Jacob Behm, Blaine Kennett, Robert Curry. 



CHAPTER XXI. 



MISCELLANEOUS ITEMS OF INTEREST. 



Under the above caption will be found many interesting, valuable items, 
which hardly find place in any special chapter, but when coupled with other 
topics afford one of the best historic chapters in this volume. 

POPULATION OF GIBSON COUNTY. 

The population, as recorded in the United States census returns for I900 
and 1910. for Gibson county is as follows: 

1900 1910 ■ 1900 1910 

Barton township 2, 151 1,866 Patoka township 8,712 9.439 

Center township 1,646 1.549 Union township 2 -t49 --?°7 

Columbia township 3.565 3.588 Wabash township 1,076 951 

Johnson township T.991 2,370 Washington township __ 1,904 1,546 

Montgomery township -4,196 4,279 White River township- -2,934 2,602 

Cities and Tozvns. [900 [910 Cities and Towns. 1900 1910 

Princeton (city) 6,041 6,448 Patoka 710 057 

Owensville 1,019 1,237 Francisco 407 

Fort Branch 840 [,182 Oakland City L99 1 2 -37° 

Hazleton 758 (14s 

Other towns in the county are included in the enumeration of the civil 
townships in which they are situated. 

The total population of the county in moo was 30.01)9 and in 1910 was 
3°. J 37- 

SALE OF A NEGRO GIRL. 

The following is a true copy of one of the early-day legal papers executed 
in Gibson county, and still remains a part of the county's records, though the 
paper and ink are somewhat faded with the passage of an even hundred vears : 

"Know all men by these presents that I, John Goodwyn, of the county 



GIBSON COUNTY, [NDIANA. 2Q7 

of Gibson and Indiana Territory, for and in consideration of the sum of $371 
to me in 1 iefor< the ensealing and deli en oi th< ■ presents, 

the receipt whereof I. the said John Goodwyn, do hereby acknowledge, have 
bargained and sold and b) these presents do bargain and sell unto Benjamin 
lies, his executors, administrators or assigns, a certain negro woman named 
a, aged about seventeen years, to have and to hold the said negro woman 
1 Dina l above bargained, sold or mentioned or intended so to be, to the said 
njamin Scale-, hi- iu-ir-. executors, administrators or assigns for ever. 
And I. the -aid John Goodwyn, myself, m> heirs, executors, administrati 
or assigns nut" tin- -aid Benjamin Scales, hi- heirs, etc., -hall, will and do 
warrant and defend against me, my heir-, etc., and all and every person 
claiming under me a- well a- against the claim or claims of all and every 
other person or persons whatsoever. In witness whereof 1 have hereunto 
-et my hand and -eal thi- the 20th da) of ( >ctober, [813. 
"Attest: Henry Hopkins, John Goodwyn. (Seal.) 

"Jonathan Evans. 
"Recorded tin- 20th daj of October, [813. 

"Robert M. Evans, Recorder." 

UBl -!. VVES IX GIBSON ( OUNTY. 

On March [8, 1816, Matthew, a negro man. seemingly agreed with his 
iter, James I .yon, and consented to be removed from < iibs< m county to am 
"tlu-r state or territory as a slave for life and the instrument goes on in the 
rd to state "the -ante ma\ be recorded." 

1 in the |th of July, 1814, Roberl M. Evans emancipated a black man 
named John Born, who was formerly a slave in Virginia, then owned by 
Benjamin Taylor and alter the ownership passed to Evans and the removal 
to this territory he was liberated, as above stated, which was a commendable 
performed by Mr. Evans on the anniversary of the natal day of our greal 
Republic. N T ov\ then, the next day, Jul) 5th strument was placed <>n 

rd which shows that which purport- n> be a - act oi 

simpl) a farce on liberty and just on that day the m John 

tme an indentured servant to Evans for thirty years, and on the 21st 

Deo 814, for the ration of five hundred and fi ft) dollars Roberl 

M. i and transferred John (the colored man 1 to Nathaniel Evans. 

\n..ih. 1 ilored family. < >n \pril 17. 1816, 

nd representatives of Robert \rcher, nty, 

e placed on 1 1 granting libert) to Simpsoi 



J'jN GIBSON COUNTY, INDIANA. 

color, and Eve, a woman of color, and in behalf of themselves^ and for and 
in behalf of Mitchell and Rachel, infant children of the said Eve. for and in 
consideration of the sum of one dollar paid by the said Simpson and Eve, and. 
in the terms of the deed "forever exonerate and discharge and for and in 
consideration of five years faithful servitude of the said Simpson and Eve, 
rendered heretofore to the family of our deceased father, in his lifetime, and 
abhoring, as we do, the idea of involuntary servitude, have and by these pres- 
ents each of lis hath from this henceforward and forever more exonerated, 
discharged and set free, the said Simpson, Eve, Mitchell and Rachel from 
any and all manner of servitude." 

This was signed, sealed and delivered before Samuel Hoge, Jr., and ten 
other citi/ens of Gibson county. 

A SLAVE-TRADE TRICK. 

\\ hile slaves could not lie legally kept in slavery in the Northwest Terri- 
tory, tluy could he retained in a form of servitude that was in realitv slavery. 
Here is one of the forms of deception and evasion the ignorant negroes were 
led or forced to sign so they could lie sold in slavery in Indiana. 

"Knox County — I do voluntarily agree and consent to my sale and trans- 
fer from George Wallace. Jr.. to Tossaint Dubois for the balance of my term 
of servitude. Witness my hand and seal the 30th day of June. 1813. 

"The mark of 1 X ) Samuel. ( Seal. )" 

This was s\ V orn to hefore a notary and then appeared the following- 
further statement: "I. Sam. being of full age. do hereby voluntarily agree 
to and consent to the sale and transfer fnun Toussaint Dubois to Jacob 
Kuykendall, it having been made at my particular request, for the balance of 
my term of servitude. Witness my hand and seal this 1 8th day of Novem- 
ber, 1814. The mark iX) Sam." 

It may he presumed that Sam's "particular request" was granted. The 
government occasionally got onto the trail of grafting in the old days just 
as it dues sometimes now. Here is a sample from among fudge Prince's 
papers : 

"Department of War. 
" 1 ith of August. [819. 
"William Prince, Esq.. Indian Agent, Vincennes — Sir: The fraudulent 
con. lint of Mitchell Brouilett in relation to the provisions for Indians at Fort 
Harrison in the year 1817, 1818, entitles him to no further confidence from 



..i BSON COUNTY, I NDIANA. _■' >> > 

eminent. You will therefore dismiss him a- interp rom the 

United States service without delay. 

"I am very respectfully, your obedienl servanl 

"J. I ' x." 

A clerk had written the order, and the rather flourishing hand of the 
famous South Carolinian. John ( . Calhoun, had signed it. There are al><> 
other communications to ^gent Prince from Mr. Calhoun, then secretan of 
war ami having supervision >>f Indian affairs. 

R( '\l V .1 I m: I 1 II [STORICAL P \P1 

There appeared in the columns of the Clarion-News in March. 1913, at 
the date of the centennial celebration of Gibson county, several interesting 
par. : which we arc pi ed to lure quote. They relate largely 

to items found in paper-, b I letters belonging to Judges Prince and 

Hall. Man\ of thi are bills or duplicates of bills rendered against 

the government for Indian supplies wh tain Prince was serving as 

Indian agent at Vmcennes, and t< 1 th ise of this day w hi 1 have I n usti imed 

to think of the -Men-time Indian as gathering his substance from the wilds 
some of these bills sound odd. In 1820 Pierre Laplante of Vmcennes had a 
bill <>f one hundred and thirteen dollars, including in it items for six dollars 
transporting the annuity to the Wea Indians at Fort Harrison, and an- 
other i*"r six dollars two dollars a day for rounding up the Indians to pa) 
them off. There v large bills i'<>r bullocks and other meat, ci 

whisky, caring for horses, repaii 1 ti ' Ine gunsmith's bill ran over 

four hundred dollars in a year for making gun and other repairs for the 
[ndiai ■ Severn e cents for repairing a tomahawk was not an unusual 
charge imagine the untutored savage (or was he better tutored than we 
have thought) carrying hi- tomahawk into I mith's shop and getl 

cents worth of repair- on it. Hov these Indian- did eat, 
day must ha iving with them, judging from the bills 

they ran np against the government. Whisky went out to them in twenty- 
and the supply did not last long either' Especially, were the hills 
.\lien a pow-wow '>r treaty conference was about to be held. 
Most of the items seem to 1 ordered by chiefs for tin 

and it appear- there were more chiefs than "pri 
to have had the pri\ ilegi the limit. tian 

put in his bill of three dollars thirl nts for 



300 GIBSON COUNTY, INDIANA. 

breakfast for nine Delaware chiefs; he also had a bill of seven dollars for 
keeping two Indian horses seven days; and one of nine dollars and fifty cents 
for "keeping Indian horses brought in by white people as estrays." One 
claim of one thousand four hundred and seventy-eight dollars was rendered 
February 5, 1821, for money advanced for provisions for the Delawares who 
were en route from the White River country to Arkansas — driven onward 
b) treaty with the whites. Evidently they tarried quite a spell there, and 
were fed at the government's expense. 

BEE HUNTING. 

Bee hunting was a favorite amusement of the old settlers. The destiny 
oi the Indian was to recede before the approach of the white man; it is the 
province of the honey bee to act on the reverse and precede the advent of 
civilization. The approach of the honey bee was always a sad harbinger to 
the Indians, for they knew the pale faces were not far behind. At an early 
date bees were very numerous in Indiana in the groves and along the skirts 
of timber, hence the product of the hive became a desirable commodity in 
trade and commerce. When the farmer wished a little "land office" money 
this was the only real article that would readily command it. Bee hunting 
excursions were of annual occurrence. In the spring of 1S17 William Wilkin- 
son and others made a little excursion down to Pigeon creek where they 
camped and remained a week. In the timber along that stream they dis- 
covered thirty bee trees. The party secured during that trip fifty-five gallons 
of honey and seventy, pounds of bees-wax. The usual outfit for such a trip 
was a lot of kettles and a wagon drawn by a team of oxen. 

PIONEER MILLS. 

Among the first mills of Gibson county were the band mills. A descrip- 
tion of one of these primitive mills may not be without interest at this daw 
The plan was cheap. The horse-power consisted of a large upright shaft 
some ten or twelve feet in height, with some eight or ten long arms let into 
the main shaft and extended out from it fifteen feet. Augur holes were 
bored into the arms on the upper side at the end, into which wooden pin- 
were driven. This was called the "big wheel" and was, as has been seen, 
about twenty feet in diameter. The raw-bide belt or tug was made of skin 
taken off of beef cattle which were cut into strips three inches in width; these 
were then twisted into round cords or tugs, long enough to encircle the cir- 



.,11 \ I Y. I X I > 1 \\ A. JOl 

cutnference of the big wheel. There it was held in place by the wooden p 
then to inder a shed to run around a drum of what i- called 

a "trunnel head," which was attached i" the grinding is. The hor 

oxen won- hitched t" the arms by means hide tugs. Then walk- 

ing in a circle, the- machinery was set in motion 1 1 grind twelve bushels of 
corn sidered a good day's work on a band mill. 

The most rude and primitive method of manufacturing meal was b\ the 
use of the grater. A plate of tin was pi«rced with many holes so that 
one sidt ry rough The tin i- nailed over a board, in an oval shape. 

An ear of corn was rubbed hard >n this grater, whereby the meal was forced 
through the holes and fell down into a vessel, prepared t" receive it. An im- 
provement on tlii— was a hand-mill, which was propelled by man or woman 
power. A hole is made in the upper stone and a staff of wood is put in it and 
the other end of the staff is put through a hole in a plank a that the 

whole is free to act. One or two persons take hold oi this staff and turn 
the upper .-torn- as rapidly as possible. An eye is made in the upper stone 
through which the corn 1- put into the mill with the hand in small quantities 
to suit the mill, instead of a hopper. A mortar wherein corn was beaten into 
meal i- made out of a large round 1"^' three or four feet long. < Ine end is 
cut or burnt oul so as t" hold a peck of corn, more or le ding to cir- 

cumstances. Tin- mortar i- set one end "ii the ground and the other up to 
hold the corn. A sweep is prepared "\er the mortar so that the spring of 
the pole raises the ]>i-t'>n and the hand- force il so hard down on the corn 
that after much beating meal is manufactured. 

1: \kl S MARR] \., 

I luring the year of [813 the follow ing were united in marriage in Gibson 
county : 

June [8, Willis Stallion- to Mary Stallions 
July 9, lame- Cheek to Nancy West. 
July 25, I .emuel Baldw in to lane Lynn. 
July 28, Michael Thomas t<> Amelia Merick. 
1 letober 28, lame- \\ . Hogue to Rosanna Vrcher. 
August 5, Robert Wheeler to Elizabeth Barker. 
August 14. William Kennedy to Ann Mel 
September 24, William Steel to Martha Burner. 
September 25, lame- R, Netl 1 Jarvis. 

tober 4. James Tyler to iraham. 



302 GIBSON COUNTY. INDIANA. 

< >ctober 9, David Hornaday to Hannah Whitehead. 

October 19, Henry I Mills to Rachel Dyer. 

( >ctober 14. Ace Holcomb to Lucy Devin. 

( )ctober 17. Vachel Clarke to Nancy Adams. 

October 19. Thomas Shields to Abigail Martin. 

October 26, James Ashby to Charlotte I Jecker. 

December 17. William Simpson to Rhody Herrine. 

December 16, Benmah Gregg to Julia Fisher. 

December 16, James Linn to Sarah Baldwin. 

December 27. Archibald Turner to Catv White. 

Rev. Alexander Devin was among the first settlers and on June 6, [& 8, 
he united in marriage James Met lure and Malinda Ann Warrick, this being 
beyond doubt, the first marriage among the white people to take place on the 
south side of the Patoka river, in Indiana It was of course the first marriage 
within what is now Gibson county. 

MARKET PRICES THEN AND XOW. 

From old histories and files of newspapers of this county, the following 
prices obtained at an early date, and these will be followed by present-day 
quotations : 

About 1816 and 1820 good calico sold here for fifty cents per yard and 
domestic at about the same proportion. Goods of the same quality in 1835 
could have been purchased for eight cents per yard. Along about 1825 home- 
spun of the best quality of jeans woven by the diligent hands of the wives and 
daughters of pioneers brought from seventy-five to eighty cents per yard. 
The industrious house wife considered if she had woven one and one-half 
yards of good cloth that she had performed a good day's work. Linen made 
from flax brought thirty cents per yard. The usual price for coffee in 1816 
was seventy-five cents per pound. Pork, much of it mast-fatted, sold during 
the inflated period of [836-37 for six dollars per hundred pounds dressed and 
about the same general prices ruled for other stock. It is no wonder that 
the panic occurred with such an inflated condition of what was then mosth 
a worthless currency. Dressed pork prior to this, from [816 to 1835, brought 
only one dollar and fifty cents to two dollars per hundred. Butter sold from 
1 82* » to 1 830, at about six and one-fourth cents per pi >und and wheat averaged 
about fifty cents per bushel. From [820 to [835 corn and oats average about 
fifteen cents per bushel. In [816 the price of salt here was three dollars per 
bushel and the average price for a first class cow and calf was not over seven 



GIBSON i "i NTY, l NDIANA. 31 13 

dollars. \ good horse could be bought for twenty-five dollars. The follow- 
ing bill of sale is subjoined : 

"l\n<>\v all men l>y these presents thai I George Curtis do give a bill of 
-•ale in Eli Hawkins ( for the sum of fift\ dollars ii being for value received 
of him, this 13th da} of July. 1813). A gray mart- aboul eight years old 
fourteen and one-half hands high, one dark brindle cow, with a calf, a heifer 
.1 year old this spring, whose color is red and white, one bed and furniture, 
one cupboard and furniture, kitchen utensils, a set of shoemaker's tools, one 
table, chesl and trunk, also house and two half acre lots lying in Columbia, 
wesl of John Severn's lots, which I the said v'urti-- purchased of Samuel 
\danis. Gibson county, Indiana Territory. In witness whereinto I set un- 
hand and seal this day and date above mentioned. 

"Attest V. Clark. Curtis. 

"Recorded the 2d day of August, [813." 

Coming down to the present date, the following market quotations are 
en as the common prices. Mark the contrast in mam items with those 
named above: Calico, five to seven cents; bleached muslin, ten to twelve 
cents; wire nails, three cents per pound; butter, thirt) cents; eggs, twenty-five 
cents; sugar, best, -even rent-: coffee, from twent) to thirty-five cents; corn, 
sixty-five rent-: wheat, ninety-five cents; oats, forty-two cents; rattle. $9.50 
per cwt. ; hogs, $7.50 per cwt. : sheep, $3.1 o to $3.50 per head ; coal oil, ten to 
fifteen cents per gallon. The chances are thai all manufactured will 

always be cheaper and fund stuffs and all products of the pasture, field and 
orchard will, as the population increa ome higher. 

\ 11. 1. M,i Pl vrs. 

The county records show the following town or village plats which have 

es been laid off in ' iibson county : 
I'a 1 N \ \ 1- 1 \ In Washington civil township, on section [3, township 1 . 
:. March 30, 1848, by Samuel I l 

Dongoi \ March to. 1851, on er, by William Carpenter 
and Isa 1 Mow defunct. 1 

Eco , 1838. 

iter township, I -1. on the north hall 

the northeast quarter 1 11 19, township _•. 1 »t, by |nhn 
Perkins. 



304 GIBSON COl XIV. LNDIANA. 

Fort Branch — In Union township, on section 13. township 3, range 11 
wot. by Embree Mclntire, October 7, 1859. 

Haubstadt (once Haub's Station) — In Johnson township, mi section 
31, township 3, range 10 west, by James H. Oliver. 

Hazelton — July 25, [855, by Gervase ami David Hazelton, in While 
Ri\ er ti >\\ nship. 

[ohnson— April 17. 1911, on the east halt" of the southeast quarter of 
section 4, township 3, range 12 west, by Warrick D. Johnson. 

Kirksviele — July 4, [856, by Davis & True anil Hussey & Mills, on 
the northeast of tin- southwest of section 10. township 1, range 9 west. 

Mackey — In Barton township, on the northeast corner of the east half 
of section 15, town-hip 3. range 9 west, by Henry Meyer, October 20, [893. 

I \sr Mt. Carmel — In White River township, on section 28, township 
1, range 12 west, by W. D. Daniels and Emily 1). Pickerell, June 27. 1897. 

McKaw Summit — On section 13. township _\ range 11 west, by Joseph 
and Olivia McCarty, May 5, 1904. 

Oakland City (originally Oakland) — By James Cockrum and War- 
rick Hargrove, on section 18, township _>, range 8 west, in Columbia town- 
ship, January 15, 1856. 

Owensville — In Montgomery township, by Philip Brisco, February 18. 
1817. 

Port Gibson — On section 3. township 3, range 10 west, in Patoka 
township. May 26, 1852, by E. Embree and Samuel Shannon. 

Patoka (once known as Smithland, also Columbia) was platted Octo- 
ber 13, 1813, on section 23, township 1. range 1 1 west, by Lewis J. Smith. 
It is in White River township. 

Skelton — On section 17, township 2. range 12. July 26, 1911, by Will- 
iam T. Watson. 

Smith 111:1. d — Section 11. township I, range 11 west, by Stephen I.. 
Field, June 9, 1838. 

Summitville (now Somersville) — April 12, 1854, by John E. Smith, 
in Barton township, on section 2. township 3. range 9 west. 

WarrentON — On section to. township 4. range 10 west, by John With- 
row ami W. 1!. Pritchett, April 30, i8jo, in Johnson civil township. 

Windham — On section 10. township 2, range 9 west, April 5, 1855, by 
Franklin and Rebecca Ritchey. 

Princeton — Original platting was made by County Agent Robert M. 
Evans. March 28, 1814. 



GIBSON COl \ I V. INDIANA 305 



nm NSj P \>i \NI' PRESI \ 1 



Among the Gibson county towns that have "passed over" was Bui 
Vista, in Washingon township, on White ri • Hazelton. This was 

the location of the old Decker ferry, the first on White river in this county. 
For a while the little town boomed, but when the Evansville & Terre Haute 
railroad went the Hazelton route instead of the Buena Vista route it proved 
a death blow and Washington township was left without a town. 

King Station, south of Princeton, came into existence with the building 
the Evansville & Terre Haute railroad about [851-2. For a year or more 
the road's terminal was at the old King farm about a half mile north of the 
present station. A turntable was used there and a stage roach carried p 

ers on n. >rth. 

Lyle's Station, four mile- west of Princeton, has the unique distinction 
of having been settled entirely by colored people. Years ago a colony of 
colored people bought a large body of land in the Cherrj Grove vicinity, and 
some of them are still living on the land- then purchased. 

lsI Mt. Carmel, on the Wabash, across from Mt. Carmel, Illinois 
came into existence about twenty year- ago, when W. 1 '. Daniel was getl 
out piling there. The postofhee name was changed to Fetters, for William 
Fetters, merchant, because there was a Carmel in Indiana. There i- no p 
office there now, though it i- quite a settlement. 

Dongala is another Gibson counts town of the past. It was on the 
Patoka river near the Pike county line, and was laid out in [851 with a 
public square and broad avenue-like streets. The Wabash and Erie canal 
to make it a real city, but it died with tin- canal. 

In June. [814, the first cyclone passed over Gibson county, passing from 
a northwesterly to an easterh direction, ["he Barker house, on Hall's hill 

ting Princeton, was destroyed and man) other evidene truction 

were left in the path. The tree- of the foresl were torn up by the roots, 

th, and odds and ends of furniture, farm implements, 

ittered to the distanc* of miles from their William Barnes, 

who lived on a farm north of Patoka, described another cyclone which passed 

r tin- section in [839 MjouI three o'clock in the afternoon, a- he relat 
the atmosphi e and dark, the birds gatheri into the 

20) 



^506 GIBSON COUNTY, INDIANA. 

boughs of the tree-, and a peculiar odor was present. The cloud came up out 
of the west in a funnel shape, with a ball of fire revolving in its apex as it 
rolled along. The phenomena crossed a wheat field and burnt the stalks off, 
leaving a path of black ashes in its wake. Kip Van Winkle might have told 
tin- tale to his tavern cronies. 

On Sunday evening. February 27, 1876, Princeton was visited with the 
most severe cyclone which ever passed over the county. The storm came 
from the southwest. Almost the entire southern part of the city was de- 
molished by the wind. Many peculiarities incident to the type of storm were 
present. In [880 another wind storm visited the county. 

FLAT BOATING. 

Between the years of [823 and 1840 the trade carried on by means of 
fiat boats reached it- highest point. The Devin brothers were noted during 
this time as boatmen. Most of the boats were sent to the Xew Orleans 
market-, corn and pork, and occasionally wheat, forming the cargoes. The 
Patoka. Wabash, Ohio and Mississippi rivers formed the highways of travel. 
Five men usually manned each boat, one of whom acted as captain. Patoka 
was generallv the Parting point for produce from this count}'. In the winter 
of 1836-37 the Devin brothers packed and shipped nearly a million pounds of 
pork. Col. James W. Cockrum was also engaged during this time in the fiat 
In lat trade. 

II \K OF FIRST STOVES. 

When the first stoves appeared, not so long ago as many might imagine. 
they were regarded with awe and fear in many instances, and when coal first 
began to be used in stoves some were so afraid of it that they would put the 
tire out at night, and gingerly, and with Constant expectation that something 
was going to happen, would rebuild it the next day. The same fear was 
shown for the first coal oil lamps, arid it is told of one well known Princeton 
lady that when her husband brought home her first coal oil lamp she made him 
take it out into the garden, some distance from the house, to light it. 

FIRST LEG \l. HANGING 

The first legal execution in Gibson county was that of William Thomas 
Cam]), for the murder of J. P. Bilderback, both men residents of I 'ike county. 
The two men bad traveled together to Haubstadt, (amp walking and Bilder- 



GIBSOK < "i \IV, IND1 \\A. 307 

back on horseback. Reaching Haubstadl they failed to obtain lodging, so 
decided to camp in the woods a short distance away. Bilderback la) down 
and wei 1 to sleep, and Camp, with a hickory club he had picked up, struck 
him on the head and killed him. He threw the bod) into the top alien 

tree. The motive of the crime was the theft of a note for sevent) five dol- 
lars which Bilderback held on ( amp, \i'ut committing the deed, 1 'amp n 
the horse to Mew Harmony, in Pose) county, where he was arrested. He 
was brought back to Haubstadt and there he pointed ou( the evidences of his 
crime and the 1. Tain. 11 of the body. A coroner's jury was obtained, and to 
them Camp made his confession Vfter being put in jail at Princeton he 
made his escape, and for a long time was hidden. He afterward went to 
Kentucky, where he was rearrested for horse stealing and placed in jail at 
< >wensboro. He was brought hack to Gibson county for trial and convicted at 
the Jul) term of court, [872, of murder in the firsl degree I le was sentenced 
to be hung 1 »n Fridaj . < let 'her 4th. but < I' iverm >r I laker granted him a respite 
until Friday, November j.h\, when, at two o'clock, he was executed b) the 
then sheriff, F. W. I iauss. 

1 V|| URCH 1 

In the old days of Gibson county, sixty or more years ago, it was no 
ible at all to get fired from church membership. It 1- related that in the 
Methodist congregation here— and it is presumed that the same is true of the 
"tlier congregations dismissals were frequent foi playing cards, attending 
races at the old straight race course in north Race street or elsewhere, danc- 
ing, going to a circus the latter an unpardonable sin and various other rea 
•■ toda) openlj or tacitly condoned b) most churches. A member 
would perhaps be called mil and voted "lit by the congregation one 

Sunday, it' believed guilty, and the next Sunday would rejoin. 

STAG! COACH D \YS. 

P. R. Baldridge, who has interesti llections of Princeton from 

hack in the thirties, relates an incident that was earned off by the 

young fellows here during the existence of the old market house, which st 
"ii the north side of the court yard The >ach from Vincennes to 

ansville was driven by William Green, who died recently in Vincenne 
the one hundred, and this was the half-way place where the 11 

stop-over was made. One night after driver Green had gone to bed at the 



GIBSON COUNTY, [NDIANA. 

tavern, kept by a widow, Mrs. Ing, about where the Gilbert store now is. Ben 
Howe, Green Thompson, Samuel Archer, Mr. Baldridge and some of the 
other mischievous ones put the old stage coach up on top of the market 
house, which was a low building. The next morning Green fussed and 
fumed when he saw what had been done, saying he would not be able to make 
the trip mi time, but after worrying him a while, the same ones who had put 
the coach up quickly took it down and started Mr. Green on his way rejoicing. 

Mr. Baldridge says at that time there was also a stage to Owensville and 
Xew Harmony, which was known as the "jerk-water." It was driven b\ 
Joel Minniweather. 

James Scantlin also tells a stage coach story of how his father, the late 
Thomas Scantlin, and some others, at an early date, one night took the Peters- 
burg stage coach apart, carried it up on the roof of the court house and there 
reassembled it. The driver was caused considerable worry until the jokers 
1 in tight the coach down the same way they had taken it up. 

PASSING OF TIN'. OLD SURVEY MARKS. 
By Garrard M, Emmerson. 

< In Ala_\' 7 in the year 1800 the territory now forming the great staler 
ol Ohio and Indiana was cut off or out of the then Northwest territory and 
subdivided by a line running- north from the mouth of the Kentucky river to 
the lakes, all east of this line being called ( )hio and all west of it Indiana. 
This land at this time was a trackless wilderness. There were no section. 
township, range or county lines, no roads, no bridges, no ferries, no means of 
intercommunication from one point to another, except an Indian trail from 
Vincennes to Louisville. The whole country was one vast unmarked, un- 
charted wilderness, covered with magnificent trees, oak, poplar, ash. walnut 
and many other varieties, many of them so large that few men now living 
ever saw or will ever see anything equaling them iti size and beauty. 

The present system of dividing the public lands had been invented and 
adopted, but no work had been done at this time. The system of surveying 
is sometimes credited to Thomas Jefferson, but he really did not invent it, but 
did approve and encourage its adoption. 

The first surveying within the present boundaries of Gibson county by 
the United States surveyors was begun on the 27th of October. 1804, by 
Bradley and Breathitt in the extreme eastern part of the county. The sur- 
veyors who did the work in this county were Bradley, Breathitt. Brown. 
Buckingham, Rector and Sullivan. This man Sullivan was one of the ances- 



BSON CI 'i \ IV. INl'l VNA. 

tors of the Sullivan and Kirks now living in the north part of the county to- 
day. Rector began surveying in Ohio, worked through Gibson county and 
over iui< - Illinois, and was finall) shot b) an Indian, who thought that he had 
killed him. But Rector managed to fall into a creek, swim across, and gel into 
camp. However, he died the next day. The creek is called Rector's creek to 
this day. It is in Saline county, Illinois. 

Ziba Foote, for whom Foote's pond was named, was another of th 
United States surveyors, but there is no record of am of his work, as he was 
drowned soon after beginning his labors. Ik' was an educated man and am- 
bitious i" get "ii m the world, and was engaged to be married to an intelligent, 
educated young woman. He had been at work in Michigan, but finished there, 
went to Cincinnati, secured a contract in southern Indiana, floated down the 
Ohi" to Louisville, walked out here, and probably was drowned the first da) 
he went to work. The killing of Rector, the drowning of Foote, and the fol- 
lowing items copied fn >m one of the surveyor's ' ks i if field notes, \\ ill show 

si .mi- of the physical dirhcultit ivercome in doing the work: 

"No\ .9 Out hoi >es straj ed 1 iff. 
"Nov. i<> — \" horses; all hands hunting hoi 
"Nov. 1 1 — No horsi 

"Nov. 1 _' An Indian gave us some information of them. 
"Nov. [3 — In the evening the horses were brought t" camp. 
"Sunday, March 23, 18 b pack-horseman and marker declared they 

ild not wade 50 much water, and would ii"t stay with me longer. I remon- 
strated with them, but to no avail. 

"Returned June. 1806, t" finish this township." 

The general plan of dividing up the public lands may be -1 fol- 

lows: \ meridian line t li'Tth and south) was run. N'ext an east and west 
line, called a base line, was run. Then, beginning ai the intersection of tin 
two line-, the land was laid oul in townships six miles square I he tir-t • 

these townships lying south of the base hue i- called town or township 1 
south. The tir-t row of these townships adjacent n> the meridian line and 
• ■ailed range 1 west. \ny land lying in the firsl township laid 
township 1 south, range 1 west. These townships were then sub- 
divided into thirtj -11- By this system of ']<■- land- it 
plain!) seen how eas) il is to locate an) piece of land h\ di I he 
northwest quarter o I 7 in townshi 



3IO GIBSON COUNTY. INDIANA. 

ond principal meridian, would indicate the vicinity of Princeton at once to 
anyone in the habit of following these things. 

These surveyors were supposed to keep accurate notes of their work and 
observations, as follows: ".Monday. Nov. J, 1804 — Began at the southwest 
corner of section 36, township 2 south, range 9 west, ran north 2.70 (two 
chains and 70 links) to a hickory twelve inches in diameter, 15 chains to a 
stream ten links wide, course southwest, 20 chains to a white oak 24 inches in 
diameter: 40 chains quarter-section corner: put post from which a white oak 
1 1 inches in diameter hears north 12 degrees, cast 14 links, and a hickory 12 
inches in diameter south 37 degrees west 20 links; 60 chains a stream 40 links 
wide, course southeast: So chains section corner of 35, 36, 25, and 26. Put 
post from which a white oak 24 inches in diameter hears north 2? degrees 
west 16 links distant; another white oak 30 inches in diameter bears south 24 
degrees east. 22 links distant. Timber, oak. hickory, dogwood, 2d rate land." 
The hickory and white oak first mentioned on this line were called line, 
sight or fore and aft trees and were notched or hacked with three hacks on 
the south and north sides, and were of use to subsequent surveyors in locating 
lines and corners. The others mentioned were what are known as witness 
trees; at the northwest corner of section 30 a post was planted, and the figures 
indicate the size, the course and distance of the same from the corner. 

Of all the thousands of these witness and line trees only about a dozen 
remain in Gibson county. Of all these line trees the writer, with an accurate 
knowledge of the county, remembers only three now standing, one a beech on 
the north line of location No. 8, now owned by George Peed. One stands on 
the east line of the northeast quarter of section 33, township 2, range 12, now 
owned by Miss Martha Waters and others in Montgomery township ; and 
there was, a short time since, another on this same line, north of the northeast 
corner of this last named tract. There may be one or two more, and some 
of those- named may be gone by this time. 

Of all the witness trees the w r riter only recalls the following: Two on 
the range line between ranges 9 and 10, both elms, one near the residence of 
Philip Reinhart, the other seven hundred or eight hundred feet north of the 
Southern railroad. Another stands at the southeast corner of the northeast 
quarter of section 17, township 3, range n, near the home of Jesse Dunlap. 
Another stands at the southeast corner of the home of the late L. N. Mont- 
gomery on the Posey county line. These last two are the only ones known 
not to have been chopped into and the marks cut out and practically destroyed. 
Another stands at the northeast corner of the southeast quarter of 23-3-13, 
now owned by Forman E. Knowles. 



GIB UNTY, INDIANA. ,i M 

These witness trees were marked, showing the number ion, 

township and range. For instance, the tree mentioned al the corner 
tions 35, 36, 25, and 26, was blazed facing the corner. In this blaze was cut 

the letter S. and the number of the section it s1 1 upon. I hese figures and 

letters are as plain today as when cut, provided the) h 1 e not been disturbed. 
A few years since another stood just east of Foote's pond, near when 
was buried, and probabh w nl) one marked by him. Whether it is 

^-ti 11 standing or not i- not known. 

There may be three or four others, but it is believed this includes all. 
and it is highly probable that one or two of these are now gone. Many of 
these would have died and decayed by the natural course of nature, bul many 
have been ruthlessly and uselessly destroyed that might have been preserved 
for the interest of the antiquary and the old surveyors 

INCIDEN rS AND [ES OF I VR] i riMES. 

To L. O. Emmerson, oi Oakland City, credit 1- due for the sub je< 
ter which follows under this head. Mr. Emmerson has written a great d 
relating to the 1 of early times m county, and these articles 

have appeared in the local papers from time to time. Ii is from these article- 
that the following extract- are made, with such revision as has been deemed 

5sarj for the purpose of this publication: 

THE BIG WEI I. AT SOM ERA U 

\\ hat is known well," at Somerville, was dug in the summer 

[854. There was not even a shower to laj the dust from July isl to 
Sep;.: ibe [8th, and the farmer- surrounding Somerville joined the Irish on 
the railroad in digging this well. It is about fifty feel deep and about eight 
feet in diameter. The work of digging this well was directed by John Martin, 
father of 1 >. M. Martin, of Oakland City. It was a great work. ( >n reaching 
the depth of about fifty feet, a heavy blast was placed and a shovel full of lire 
was thrown in, and a tremendous explosion followed. When all was -till 
there v »und heard, but the smoke v. thick to see the 

Jts. "Pat" Flanigan could hardly wait to go down to see the results oi 
the big blast, and as soon as he could go he got into the bucket and was 1 

i at a rapid rate. All at once he found himself submerged to his shoulders 

in 1 water, lie yelled up as loud as he could, "Mike, by the Holy 

draw me up qui< k, or I w ill be scalded to death. I he \\ ell 1- full 



312 GIBSON COUNTY, INDIANA. 

of boiling water." He had mistaken cold for hot. Parties went to work 
with buckets to draw out the water so that the loose rock torn by the blast 
might be removed, but, with all their drawing, in ten hours the well stood 
thirty feet in the finest water in the whole country. As this was a kind of 
partnership well between the farmers and railroad people, all came here for 
water. People for ten miles came and hauled water from this well and 
after drawing constantly for days at a time would nut lower the water more 
than two feet and it would recover this two feet in just a little while. During 
many dry years since this time, the big well at Somerville has been Barton 
township's chief supply. 

FAITH IX JOHN M'MASTER'S PRAYERS. 

The people in Somerville and vicinity were of the old type of Covenant- 
ers, and for many years the preaching place was in the woods, under a large 
sugar tree about three-quarters of a mile south of Somerville. Many a pow- 
erful sermon was preached here. The people would assemble at ten o'clock 
and the first sermon would continue until noon. Then there would be a half 
hour intermission for lunch. Then the second sermon would begin and 
sometimes last until three or four o'clock in the afternoon. The Rev. John 
Kell was the first minister to preach at Somerville. Then came Rev. Samuel 
Baldridge and after him Rev. John McMaster. It was in September. 1854, 
after a long dry season that Rev. McMaster came to preach. The whole 
country was parched and dry, stock was suffering and dying for water. In 
the morning service McMaster made a special prayer for rain, and the prayer 
was fully an hour long. About the middle of the afternoon the worshippers 
were startled by a keen clap of thunder: a cloud had formed and was coming 
on at a rapid pace. The congregation ran to an old log school house nearby, 
and barely gained shelter, when a perfect deluge of rain came down. Uncle 
Rube Martin was there and his belief in Rev. McMaster was very great, so 
when the rain began to pour Uncle Rube struck his fist in the palm of his hand 
and said: "Dipend men, J told you McMaster' s prayer would fetch it," and 
Rube did truly believe that the rain was in answer to that prayer, and who 
knows but he was right? Uncle Rube soon went into the army and received 
his death wound in the cedar woods at Stone's River. 




REV. JOHN McM VSTER, D D 



GIBSON COUNTY, INDIANA. 3 I 3 

PIONEER INIil STRIES— OAKLAND CITY. 

The land on which Oakland City stands was settled bj Jesse Houchins. 
He sold out to Col. James W. Cockrum about the year [827. I ockrum soon 
w iMit south and engaged in steam-1 oating for a few years, and about the year 
1835 returned and repurchased the greater part of the land n< pied by 

Oakland City, from Richard Barrett, who then lived in a small house which 

-1 1 near where Mrs. Mi \ icker's residence now stands. The well of this 

old residence is the same one that now supplies Mrs. Vickers « itli water. Mr. 
ckrum lived lure for several years, ami here Col. \Y. M. Cockrum was 
ii. who -till owns the land on which the "Id house stood ami refuses i" sell 
it at any price. IK' removed tin.' old house several years ago ami it now stands 
in his yard near his residence, with a lot of the old household furniture which 
belonged t" hi- father and mother in it. Ili- father's "Id hunting rifle, which 
lie called the "Tormentor," hangs in a gun rack over the door. The "Id 
dogirons used by hi- father arc -til! in the "Id wood fireplace. In fact this 
"Id house and contents are the greatest old relics remaining of < lakland. 

rrum was the father of the town of 1 >akland City and 

did more to build up the town than anj other man. Another very prominent 

man in founding thi- town was Jacob W. Hargrove. Mr. Hargrove lived "n 

a large farm of several hundred acre- just east of town, where he lived the 

greater part of hi- life. IK- was one "t' Oakland City's first merchants ami 

wa- also a big dealer in leat' I and other farm products. I le was also a 

Stock dealer and a miller. In the year 1S55 he. in company with Col. James 

W. Cockrum and several other gentlemen, built a -team grist and flour mill 

■ii the 1 lid Straighl Line railn ad, "ti the ground now occupied by Dr. Mc 

ilile yard and garden, and built a miller'- residence where the 

now stands. 'Thi- mill cost about eight thousand dollars, 

a large sum for thi- early day. There wa- a woolen mill in connection with 

the ll"tir mill. Th ed t" he an unprofitable investment. mh'II 

burned down about twenty-fivi ago. 

Illl' 1:1 GINNINi IN. 

In the early da I unty a road ned from Boonville. 
Warrick comity, t" Princeton, in G mnty. \- there were hut few 
fan ed between the two d wa- built "ii the short 
route, regardless of the land lines. It was cut through the w 1- nearly all 



314 GIBSON COUNTY, INDIANA. 

the way and was used as the stage line between the two towns. The great, 
awkward stage coach lumbered back and forth and all the traveling men going 
from one of these towns to the other took passage in this coach. It also car- 
ried the mail. Xow along this road lived several men who made their living 
hunting game, and all the deer hides or other pelts they had to sell were sent 
to Boonville or Princeton, and as these hunters never knew just when the 
stage would pass their Locality, the) would take their skins to the roadside 
and put their mark on them and hang them up in some conspicuous place. 
When the stage came along the driver would gather up the hides he thus 
found and deliver them to the merchants in one or the other of said towns, 
who knew, the marks and would give the hunter to whom they belonged pro- 
per credit for them. Thus the travelers in the stage coach would see the 
driver stop every mile or two and gather up the deer skins which he found 
hanging up by the roadside. Soon this route became known as the Buckskin 
road. This name became general throughout the whole country and for 
many years remained unchanged, until the farmers along the route began to 
straighten the road and put it on the lines. This road left the old State road 
at the Young place, just south of Princeton,, and ran in a southeasterly direc- 
tion. It passed just south of the poor farm to Port Gibson and from there on 
to Lynnville, in Warrick county, and from there almost due south to Boon- 
ville. For manv years this was the main route to all this country between 
Boonville and Princeton, and along this line the early settlers clustered and 
small business places sprang up along the road, such as cooper shops, black- 
smith shops and other industries. 

Along in the early fifties there came a young German from Evansville b) 
the name of Emil Sasse, and started a small store on this road, near the east- 
ern line of Gibson county. His business at first was a kind of settlers' can- 
teen, with a few groceries, powder, lead and other small wares. He also 
secured a postoffice and named it "Buckskin," after the road on which it was 
located. His business was prosperous from the start. It was fifteen or 
twenty miles to any other point where people could trade and he did a good 
business. PI is brother, Theodore, was in business in Evansville and soon sold 
out and joined Emil at Buckskin. They increased their stock and built a 
larger store. Trade rushed in and people came for ten miles in every direc- 
tion, and the Sasses were the busiest men in the whole country. Emil Sasse 
was twice elected treasurer of Gibson county. After the closing out of the 
Sasse store at Buckskin the Evansville & Indianapolis railroad was built. It 
ran about a mile east of old Buckskin. A new town was laid out on this rail- 



30N COUNTY, INDIANA. 315 

id .mil Herman Buskuhl opened a store and secured the postoffice and still 
continued the town of Buckskin. But Buckskin never has and perhaps never 
will enjoj such , ty as i) did in the palmy days of the Sasses. 

Ill E in. 11 ORIS 1 VJ 

rhere are but few men in Gibson county that have reached the half- 
century nuK' stone "ii the highway from the cradle to tin.- grave but have 
memories lingering around the i I null oi their boyhood days. 'I 1 

days. Thursdays ami Saturdays were "custom days". t..ll one-sixth for corn, 
one-eighth for wheat. First come, first served. 

Here all the gossip "t the country was exchanged tor its kind. Here 
knives were swapped, either by inspection or sight unseen. Horse swapping 
was also of common occurrence. < >n those "custom days" from early morn 
to dew) eve the crowd was coming and going, swapping and bantering. 1 
it happen to be a campaign year, polities was discussed by all except the 
miller, who was supposed to favor all si< have nothing to say. and it 

was regarded as a breach of good breeding to attempt to draw him into dis- 
cussion. 

The milling was most often done by the hoys of the family, ranging 

in age from ten to seventeen years. If any one should inquire about the size 

anj certain boj and was told that he was big enough to go to mill, they 

nld consider the answer satisfactory. When the family meal barrel showed 

is of exhaustion, a bag of corn would he selected the evening before some 

particular day, and at night after all the chores were done and the family was 

all indoors, a bed quilt would he spread out upon the floor and the corn 

poured thereon. Then the family would gather around and shell the corn 

'ill. while the cohs would he thrown aside for use in the kitchen 

Then the quilt would be gathered up, causing the corn to collect in the 

center, when it would he scooped into the bag and set aside until morning. 

Bright and earl) the next day it would he placed across tin- hack of a hoi 

with a bo) mounted astride, and he would strike out for the nearest .^rist 

mill. Sometimes In- would have to go five or six miles. The sign "First 

e. lir-t -cr\ed". w as strictly adhered to. Often he would he among the 

lirive and many times he would have to stay till dark for his jurist. 

and then ride the lonely wa\ home through w Is and swamps in the 

darkni 

I'.ut all this was nothing to the day lu- had spent with the other mill bo 
wrestling, jumping, playing hall and marbles, swapping knives and exchang- 



316 GIBSON COUNTY, INDIANA. 

ing gossip for gossip, which he knew would be called for and listened to by 
all when he got home. A good supper would be waiting for him when he 
arrived home at last, for of dinner he had none. 

SCHOOL DISTURBED BY A PANTHER VISIT. 

In the Major David Robb settlement near where the town of Hazelton 
now stands, they had built a school house not far from White river and 
school was being held there. One of the patrons of the school had started 
out hunting and gone by the school to see one of his boys at the time of noon 
recess. While there the hunter's dogs treed a young panther, not far from 
the school house. The children went out to see what the dogs were barking 
at, and the hunter, on coming up, saw it was a panther kitten about one-third 
grown. He shot it out of the tree and told his boy to drag it near the school 
house and when school was out in the evening to take it home and save 
the hide. 

A short time after "books were taken up" the teacher and pupils were 
startled by the awful scream of the old mother panther, as she came bound- 
ing along the way the young one had been dragged. They had forethought 
enough to close the door and put the window bench in place and fasten it 
there. The furious animal rushed up to the carcass of her kitten and when 
-In- found it was dead she broke forth in terrible howls and screams of la- 
mentation. Looking around for something on which to avenge its death. she 
made a rush for the school house, ran two or three times around it and then 
leaped on top of and commenced tearing across the roof from side to side 
as ii hunting some place where she could get in to the imprisoned teacher and 
pupils. After a while she gave three or four most terrible screams; presently 
the answering screams of another panther were heard some distance off. It 
was 1 ut a short time until her mate came rushing up and the two went to the 
dead kitten and seemed to be examining it. They then gave several screams. 
one after another, and made a rush for the building, bounded on top of it and 
for the next half hour kept up a screaming such as the helpless scholars and 
frightened teacher had never heard before. 

.Major Robb had several men working for him at that time. They heard 
the fearful noise, and by the direction were sure it came from near the 
school h iuse. Three men took their rides and hurried to the rescue. Sev- 
eral dogs had followed the men and they set up a loud barking and rushed 
at the school house. A panther could easily kill the largest dog with one 
stroke of its terrible claws, but for some reason they are dreadfully afraid 



GIBSON C0UN1 Y. INDIANA. 317 

dog and could be easily treed by a small feiste. The panthers jumped 

in the ground and ran u|> a large tree which -1 1 near the school house and 

in -li"t ti ' death by the hunters. 

The teacher was a full-bl led Irishman, but a short time from [reland. 

i [e had wandered out int< > the wilds ol Indiana. < ioming into that neighbor- 
hood and learning thai Major Robb was from Ireland, he had been staying 
at his house for u time. Having the necessary qualifications he was em- 
ployed to teach the school. After the panthers were killed he dismissed the 
sch 10I and went back to the Major's, but refused to teach any longer. He 
said he would n<>t live in a country that was on the frontier of "had 
and was inhabited b\ such pesky, screaming, screeching varmints as ibis 
country possessed. From Cockrum's Pioneer Histon of Indiana. 

\ \ I ERS. 

1 ii- G irge Rogers (lark, when making bis memorable inarch fi 
Kaskaskia to Vincennes in the month of February, 1 ~ — • ». encountered the high 
waters of the Wabash river, and in bis account of the tortuous miles covered 
he relates of meeting the overflow from the rivers. Muddy roads and numer- 

|iiih]s won- lir-i discovered, and a drizzling rain warned them that th 

e forerunner of the '1 1- .'brad. He describes the fortitude 

of the men later, when they were a impelled ti > v\ ade thn mgh the level expanses 
of water covering the level country, and the good spirit- prevailing notwith- 
standing the hardship. \ portion of his diary, published in English's "< 
quest of the Northwest," and there quoted from Bowman's Journal, relates: 

"ioth. I rossed the river of the Petit fork upon tree- thai were felled 
for thai purpose, the water being so high there was no fording it Still 
raining and no tents— encamped near the river. Storm) weather. 

"13th. Arrived earh at the two Wabashes. Although a league 

nder, the) made but one. We set to making a canoe. 

"15th. Ferried across the two Wabashes, it being then five miles in 

r to the opposite hills, where we encamped. Still raining." 

irk him-' in bis journal that the weather was "wet, but fortu- 

nately nut cold for the season, and a great pari of the plains under water 

ral inches deep. It was difficult and arching. 

I viewed this sheet of wate me time with distrust; hut, accusing my- 

doubting, I immediately sel to work, withoul holding any consultati 

it it. 1 ir suff< ring anybi "ly else to do so in my pre lered a piro 



318 GIBSON COUNTY, INDIANA. 

to be built immediately, and acted as though crossing the water would be only 
a piece of diversion. * * * 

"In the evening of the 14th, our vessel was finished, manned and sent to 
explore the drowned lands on the opposite side of the little Wabash, with 
private instructions what report to make, and, if possible, to find some spot 
of dry land. They found about half an acre and marked the trees from 
thence hack to camp, and made a very favorable report. Fortunately the 15th 
happened to he a warm, moist day for the season, and the channel of the river 
where we lay about thirty yards wide. A scaffold was built on the opposite 
shore that was about three feet under water; our baggage ferried across, and 
put on it. Our horses swam across and received their loads at the scaffold, 
by which time the troops were brought across, and we began our march. ( )ur 
vessel was loaded with those who were sickly, and we moved on cheerfully, 
even- moment expecting to see dry land, which was not discovered until we 
came to the little dry spot mentioned. 

"This being a smaller branch than the other, the troops immediately 
crossed, and marched on, in the water, as usual, to take possession of the 
(nearest) height they could discover. Our horses and baggage crossed as 
had been done at the former river, and proceeded on. following the marked 
trail of the troops. As tracks could not lie seen in the water the trees were 
marked. * * We were now convinced that the whole of the low- 

country on the Wabash was drowned, and that the enemy could easily get to 
us, if they discovered us. and wished to risk an action; if they did not. we 
made no doubt of crossing the river by some means or other." 

The narrative continues to tell of the repeated hardships endured by the 
men who were forced to march through the flooded country. Camp grounds 
were difficult to find, for the country was uniformly low. 

English's "Conquest of the Northwest" relates: "There was no cessa- 
tion of the flood. If anything, it grew worse as the party advanced. It 
would be difficult for persons at this day to realize the generally wet and 
marshy condition of the flat lands, especially the bottom lands adjoining 
rivers, lakes and creeks, in Illinois and Indiana in early times. This was the 
general situation, which was much aggravated, of course, by seasons of great 
rains and tloods. The country, from a variety of causes, has been gradually 
getting drier, as the author personally knows, for the last fifty or sixty years, 
and the same drying-out process has no doubt been going on as far back as 
the campaign of Clark against Vincennes. The author saw the bottoms of the 
Wabash when overflowed, in 1834 and. [835, ami fully realizes the vastness of 
the countrv covered with water. He made a horseback journey almost en- 



GIBSON C01 \ I V, INDIANA. 319 

tirely across [ndiana and Illinois, from east to west and return, in those years, 
and can not but compare the present dryness of the whole country with it- 
extremel) wet state at thai period. Indeed it ma) become a serious matter it" 
the streams and the water supplj continue to diminish at the same rate for 
other half century. 

"This wet condition was noticed by all travelers in early times, and 
especially in the region of the Wabash and it- tributaries. Thomas's 'Travels 
in the West,' in t8i6, says: 'There is one inconvenience attending this 
country, exclusive of the overflowing of the Wabash. Ml its tributary 
streams, after a heavy shower of rain, rise above the banks, and overflow the 
lowlands adjoining, which on all is of considerable extent. In time of high 
water, it is one of the most difficull countries to travel through I ever saw 
1 have known it for more than four weeks at one time thai no person cot 
get away from Union Prairie without swimming his horse, or going in a 

l ark and his heroic little band ontinued their march toward Vincennes, 
at times wading through wa heir waists and even to their shoulders 

High land would be readied, and hopes of better country would arise, only 
to be dispelled b\ the sight "i' limitless expanse of watered land- on the other 
side, (lark, upon reaching the Embarass river, discovered the whole 
country between that and the Big Wabash river toward Vincennes over- 
flowed, and impassable by straight course. The Embarass and Wabash ri 
had overflow ■•.tent that the) were united across the land inl 

vening. Through this mire and muddy water. Clark and In- men forged 
their way. 

"I in R II '"'li FIGUR1 - 

ncerning the action of the il Is in the pasl years there is little to say, 

onl) that the water at certain stages does certain things. \t the eighte* 
1 le\el the water overflows the banks and spread- into the surround 
intry, driving the people from the lowlands to the higher points of ground. 
At the twenty-two foot level no the river country is inhabitable 

cept the highest points. The spring of 1913 was an »n, for the 

watei ise to the point of 31.1 feet on thi at Mt. Carmel, 

Illinois. There ha- been no period since the year [875, when records were 
ulated, when the water r< uch a height. Genuine disaster fol- 

lowed this phenomenon; hundred- of people were made homeless, and thou- 
sands of dollars worth of property in Gibson count) ■ is ties 

It i- interestinj 1 m this connection th< heights of the 



3 2 ° 



GIBSON" COUNTY, [NDIANA. 



Wabash river at the Mt. Carniel station since [875, these records being those 
of over twenty feet, the genuine danger point. Sixteen feet is the official 
danger point, but at this stage little loss is suffered owing to the precautions 
taken by the people. 



August, 1875 2 8° 

June 18, 1889 21.4 

January 9, 1890 !2.6 

January 15, 1890 .'5.1 

February 28, 1890 20.3 

March 2, 1890 22.2 

March 6, 1890 23.4 

February 28, 1N91 >i.g 

March 2, 1891 22.0 

\pril 2, 1891 .o.N 

April 6, 1891 21.8 

April 13, 1892 21.5 

February 18, 1893 MJ 

February 23, 1893 21. 7 

April 30, 1893 >2.6 

May 1, 1893 12.9 

May S, 1893- 24.5 

March 7, 1897 20.5 

March 13, 1897 26.4 

January 31, 1S98 • 8 

February 3, 1898 >6.6 

March 31, 1898 27.0 

March 8, 1903 26.6 

March 12, 1903 22. 3 

March 26, 1904 20.7 

April 1, 1904 27.00 

April 2, 1904 27.01 

April 3, 1904 20.8 

April 8, 1906 20.8 

\|nil 8, 1906 23.6 

January 9. 1907 21.6 



January 18, 1907 22. 

January 28, 1907 .'4 

February 1, 1907 21. 

March 17, 1907 20, 

March 21, 1907 22. 

February 17, 1908 20. 

February 24, 1908 2J,, 

March 8, 1908 20. 

March 15. 1908 2^,. 

May 8, 1908 20, 

May 13. 1908 20. 

January 24, 1910 20. 

January 2j, 1910 21. 

March q. 1910 21 

March 5, 1912 20. 

March 6, 1912 20. 

March 7. 1912 21 

March 8, 1912 20. 

March 24. 1912 20. 



191: 



.21 



March 

March 26, 1912 21 

March 27, 1912 21 

March 28, 1912 22 

March 29, 1912 22 

March 30, 1912 22 

March 31. 1912 22 

April 1, 1912 22. 

April 2, 1912 22 

January 30, 1913 24 

March 30. 1913 31 




z 

o 

H 
H 
O 

z 
5 

Oh 



o 

X 






PTER XXII. 



CITY OF l'UI NCI i 



Princeton is situated "ii an elevated ridge, ninet) feel above low-water 
mark in the Wabash river; is one hundred and nineteen feet above the city 
of Evansville, and four hundred and eighty feet above the ocean's level. 
aphically, the city is handsome. The land is for the irt level 

and wel o building sites, without many excai There are 

soil!- if the place rather uneven, luit in ii" true sense hilly. ["he 

drainagi is excellent. It is now an up-to-date city, with a beautiful public 
square, many tine modern business blocks, a :m of electric lights 

and water-works plant. It ha e r8i8, 

and of the I dm. d States in [< to there v 

six thou iur hundred and forty-eight inhabitants. 11k- la I 

n a rapid growth here, owing t<> various conditions, but chief!) a true spirit 
of i that h -red by a younger, mon 

nent among its worthy ci ools and church< il< intel- 

nce and manner "t living. The reader is referred to the chap 

■n and i hut elements, both of which ha 

characteristic of Princeton from earl} i the 

twentieth century. 

ol known for its manufacturing industries in recent y 
hut daily by reason of the rich agriculturj sur- 

rounding it: by its railroad interest-; its railroad shops; ii being the county 
lid banking institutions and retired men ; imen who have, 

man} of them, resided here all their lives, at least within G 1 he 

.'. gas and oil industries have of more recent yeai en of much financial 
value t" the city. 

The reader's attention is now called to some of the inti 
of Princeton in former days, for, remember, Princefr hundred y< 

old, and this year i 1914) is celebrating try in a 

fitting manner. 

(ai) 



322 GIBSON COUNTY, INDIANA. 

BEFORE THE LAYING OUT OF PRINCETON. 

Long before the plat of Princeton was thought of, Pioneer James Mc- 
Clure deeded thirty acres of land to parties, who finally donated ten acres 
including the present public square. This tract was given to be used as a 
"gathering place" for the public, but after years went by, and Princeton was 
the seat of justice, it became the public square. All this was done while this 
was a part of Knox county, territory of Indiana. The county seat of Knox 
county was at Vincennes. William M. McClure. now a resident of Princeton, 
is a grandson of the James McClure who is above mentioned as owning these 
lands in the present Princeton plat. 

NAMING OF THE TOWN. 

At the session of court held February t6, 1813, at the house of Henry 
Hopkins, the following action was recorded, the name of the seat of justice 
having been hit upon by drawing of lots among the commissioners, Captain 
Prince winning: 

"The court took into consideration the propriety of establishing some 
suitable name for the seat of justice for Gibson county; whereupon ordered 
that the seat of justice for Gibson county be hereafter known and designated 
by the name and style of Princeton 

"The court then went into the establishment of a plan for the town of 
Princeton. 

"Whereupon the following plan was adopted, viz : The public square 
and seat of the public buildings is to be laid off in the most suitable manner 
so as to include as near central as convenient, a certain stake to be set up by 
the judges of the court; the said publick square is to be laid off eighteen poles 
square, making two acres and four poles; the town, both in- and out-lots, to 
be laid off from the publick square in such a manner as to leave each street 
in said town sixty feet wide, and the in-lots to be laid in squares of eighteen 
poles each way; each square to be divided into four equal squares, so as to 
make each in-lot nine rods square containing one-half acre and one square rod 
each. The out-lots to be laid off in such manner as may be thought most 
suitable by the agent when the same comes to be surveyed. 

"There shall be four streets laid out. two on each side of the range of 
lots on which the publick square lies, extending from the north to the south 
side of the town plat, the said lots to be sold on the following terms, viz : 



GIBSON COUNTY. INDIANA. 323 

One-third of the purchase money to l>c paid within six months from tin- 
day of sale, the balance in twelve months from the day "l" sale, the same to 
commence on the 4th Monday of March next and continue three days, viz: 
from ten o'clock in the forenoon until three o'clock in the afternoon of each 
day." 

FIRST KVENTS. 

Capt. Thomas Chapman erected the first house around the square after 
the town was laid out. Mr. Chapman happened here on a prospecting tour in 
the spring of 1814 and attended the sale id" lots. Being pleased with the 
outlook, he purchased the halt acn lot "ii the corner south of the south- 
east corner of the public square and immediately set to work to build a two- 
story hewed-log house, thirty-six by twenty feet in size. This building was 
completed and Mr. Chapman returned t<> Kentucky and lire night on his 
family, arriving November 14, 1814. having occupied thirteen days in mak- 
ing the trip. He moved into his house, established a hotel, boarding a portion 
of the hands that worked on the first court house. He named his house the 
"Traveler's Inn." and continued in it till March. 1S15, when he sold to James 
Russell, who was one of the first licensed tavern-keepers in Princeton. 

The first storehouse was made o"f logs, two stories in height, and was 
situated on the corner west of the southwesl corner of the square. It was 
erected by Willis C. Osborn, who broughl a small stock of general mer- 
chandise here from Yinceiines in the latter part of 1814 and was the first 
merchant of the place lie was associate judge from < Ictober, 1814. till after 
the Mate was admitted in 1816. There had been some goods sold prior to 
this by a Frenchman who kept a small assortment in the "Lot ry." 

He was not here over three weeks and did not really deserve the name of 
merchant. The "Long Ornery" consisted of a half dozen small cabins built 
very closely together and stood on the tan-yard branch near where later 
stood the Catholic church. II econd -tore and third building ere. 
around the public square was situated on the corner west of the northwest 
corner of the square. It wa d by Jones X Moffitt general merchants. 

The next business house was built by James VV. Jones and Robert Stockwell 
and stood on the corner south of tin southwest part of the square. These 
buildings were all built in 181 4. Robert Stockwell was for many years tin- 
leading merchant of Princeton lb- wa- a native of Pennsylvania, in tin- 
winter of 1815 he put : a general stock at Pittsburg, loaded it on 
flat-boats and floated down the Ohio riv< ansville now stand- 



324 



GIBSON COUNTY, INDIANA. 



Here he loaded his goods on wagons, came to Princeton and, having formed 
a partnership with Mr. Jones, opened a store in March of that year. After a 
few years Jones withdrew from the firm and Stockwell continued alone until 
1846, when Samuel Archer became his partner. A few years later he moved 
to Lafayette, Indiana, where he died, aged ninety years. He was an active, 
enterprising citizen and during his long and very successful business career 
at Princeton he accumulated a large fortune. 

The postoffke was early established and John J. Neely, a prominent 
man in the county's early history, was the first postmaster. It then cost 
twenty-five cents a letter to get it from the postoffice. The fourth business 
house was erected by John Arbuthnot in April. 1815. It was on the corner 
of Hart and Emerson streets, one block north of the public square. Mr. 
Arbuthnot was a saddler and established the harness and saddlery business, 
which he followed a number of years. He was postmaster twenty years and 
died in 1865, aged eighty-two years. The next business house was con- 
structed of brick on the corner north of the northeast corner of the square. 
It was built by George W. Chapman in 1815-10 and. with the exception of the 
first court house, it was Princeton's first brick building. Chapman was a gun 
and silversmith, and followed his trade here about ten years, then removed 
to Missouri. This building was undermined and caved in about the first of 
(he eighties. Mr. Zimmerman, from the East, erected a one-storv brick 
house, containing three rooms, in which he kept a general store in one room. 
In another room Chauncey Pierce, a Yankee, manufactured combs, buttons, 
etc., and the third room was occupied by a saloon. Samuel Shannon built a 
frame store- room and dwelling near the center of the east side of the square. 
Mr. Shannon engaged in general merchandising, pork packing, etc. He was 
also an extensive shipper, loaded great cargoes of pork and grain on the 
flat-boats of the Patoka river, and floating them down to the New Orleans 
markets, where he realized a good profit. In 1819 he erected and operated a 
tannery, where the Air Line railroad depot later stood. In 1833 he sold to 
Alfred A. Poland and moved to Pittsburgh. Pennsylvania. He later made 
his home in Princeton and died here many years ago. The first licensed 
taverns were kept by James Russell in the Chapman building and by Basil 
Brown on the corner where later lived Dr. Kidd. Brown's Hotel was a 
large log house built Y-shaped, two stories high, with a large ball and dining 
room attached. It was in its time a celebrated resort and the entertainment 
given at this favorite hostelry was highh complimented by the traveling 
public. This house burned about 1830. 



GIBSON nil'NTY, INDIANA. 325 

rhe nexl store was thai of John Brownlee & Son, who began 
in 1815-16. They also controlled a large trade. After the death of (lem-ge 
Brownlee, the bi was continued bj his son, John Brownlee, until he 

died, April 17. [855. His stand was in the center of the south side of the 
public square, in a low 1 trick building. John Brownlee was a very successful 
merchant and made much money. He erected, in [817 or r8i8, the I .<■ 
House. In those early days the merchants dealt in peltry, furs. rain 

and any commodity that was merchantable, handling hut little money in 
their business. Their goods were usually purchased in Pittsburgh or Phila- 
delphia. The trip was frequently made on horseback, carrying their money 
in their saddle bags. Robert Milburn, Mr. Smith and Augustus B. Stui 
each had a hatter's shop in Princeton in 1816 and followed this business 
several was started by Perkins Lyons and it 

stood opposite the old Donald Richard fliff started a pottery in 

1816. In 1816 there were seven hotels, or taverns as then called, it ton. 

In 181 7 Samuel Boicourt, a cabinet and chair-mal le in and he 

made spinning wheels for the old settler county. He was also a 

preacher, ju E the peace, merchant and an intelligent, 

enterprising character. \ distillery was erected in 1 S 1 7 by Sanford Grissim, 
wh ; . ' at the foot "l Hall hill. It was a small concern and only in 

operation about two years, t Hi the hill west of the distillery, one Elliott had 
der mill for the manufacture of gunpowder. In [819 six more 
taverns were added to the bt 

i farrington's place, these taverns, as then called, were nothing 
more than we now term saloons, although their licen- '■ ed them to 

entertain travelers. Harrington's hi n the Devin corner. 

the southeast corner of the square. It was a lar me build 

erected in 1S18. A deer painted on a cin n hung in fronl of the door. 

This and Browi el were the leading public housi number of 

rs and both did an excellent It was aboul this time, or a I 

later, that the Vinccnnes and Evansville stage line was established and 
Princeton became the "half-way stand." and her aches met every day 

at noon and the passengers took dinner: a fresh relay was had before starting 

Out for the rest of the journey. Tn busy Seasons there were two 

The New Harmony ami Mt. Vernon line was started a few days later. 
The stage-- carried tin 1 mails and broughl the news from the outside world. 
James. Alexander I. vie and Thomas J. Evans, brothers of Gen. Robert 
M. Evans, came to Gibson county in 1810 and were among the early busii 



326 GIBSON COUNTY, INDIANA. 

factors of Princton. Alexander L. carried on the cooperage business here 
for several years; moved to Evansville and died there in June. 1844. James 
Evans bought a farm lying southwest of the original town and his house 
stood on what is now Broadway, in the western part of the city, where he 
resided until his death, in 1832. In 181 8 he established and operated a wool- 
carding machine, in a building on Main-Cross street, one block west of the 
square. The machine was propelled by tread-power and the wool was carded 
into rolls. In 1827 Abraham Lincoln (later President), residing with his 
parents in Spencer county, Indiana, came here on horseback with a sack of 
wool to Mr. Evans' factory and had it carded. John N. Lockwood, then a 
boy, carded the wool for him. Lockwood, in later years, was president of 
the National Bank of Mt. Vernon, Indiana. In 1824-25 William Jerauld 
and Goorge Bucklin erected a frame cotton factory in the north part of town, 
in the neighborhood of where the first Catholic church stood. It was an 
important industry, employing several hands, and continued in operation five 
years, when it was burned and was never rebuilt. George X. Jerauld, son of 
pioneer Edward G., commenced general merchandising in the spring of 1832, 
and was continuously in trade on the same lot until his death. 

James Lesley had a distillery on his place a mile east of the court house, 
which was in operation from 1818 to 1823. He made large quantities of 
whisky and peach brandy. In 1825 the first steam grist- and saw-mill was 
erected, by Robert Milburn, Nathaniel Poster and James Finney. A year or 
two after it was erected Titus Jessup put in a wool-carding machine, having 
bought an interest. He continued this until 1852. In 1829 a distilling ap- 
paratus was attached by Robert Milburn and Samuel Hall, who, it is said, 
made an excellent grade of liquor. This old milling plant passed through 
numerous hands and finally became the property of Lewis Kolb. After his 
death the old mill was torn down and a residence was built on the lot. This 
is at present the residence of D. P. Bird. About 1828 Titus Jessup and 
James Howard built and operated a woi Pcarding and cotton-spinning fac- 
tory one block west of the old mill. This was burned after about two years. 

Princeton had no railroad until the construction of the Evansville & 
Terre Haute, in the summer of 1851. After the railroad era commenced the 
town took on new life and man}" new- features in trade were added. With 
the passing of the years, the beginning and ending of the great Civil war 
period, and on to the present date, Princeton has had many dealers in numer- 
ous lines. It is not profitable to go far into the deail of these later features 



GIBSON COUNTY, INDIANA. }_'7 

of the city. The arc unit of schools, churches and newspapers in this city are 
already included in other separate chapters on such topics. 

POSTOFFICE HISTORY. 

A postoffice was established at Princeton in 1816. It is now an office of 
the second class, and is housed within a beautiful modern federal building, 
centrally located. This postoffice building was completed in 1913 at an 
expense of forty-nine thousand five hundred dollars. Going out from this 
postoffice are seven rural delivery rentes extending to the country districts. 
The amount of deposits in the postal savings department oi this office, in 
October, [913, was five thousand one hundred and thirty-eight dollars. The 
business of the office, outside of money order transactions, for the fiscal year 
ending July 1. 1913, was thirteen thousand seven hundred and ninety-eight 
dollars. At present there are twenty-one persons employed in handling the 
mails at Princeton, which included the postmaster, his deputy, the city car- 
riers, clerks, etc. There are now many mail trains per day in and out of the 
city, which give ample mail facilities. 

The following is a complete list of Princeton postmasters since [816, 
when the postoffice was established, as furnished by the first assistant postmas 
ral at \\ ashington, 1). C. : John I. Neely, March 3, 1816; John Vrbufh- 
not, February 24, 1830; Isaac Montgomery, July 23, [841; John Arbuthnot, 
January 14. 1845; Anderson F. Ely, March to, [851; John Arbuthnot, \pril 
i_\ [853; Thomas J. Arbuthnot, November 10. 1857; Silas VV. Boswell, 
March 14. [860; Charles \. Slayback, May 8, 186] : * harles ( . Hill, Septem- 
ber 28, [866; Drusilla Dorsey, March r_\ [867; Andrew J. Calkins, \pril 9, 
1877: Erastus R. Pinney, Januan 24, [884; William II. Evans, September 
17. [885; < >li\ <.r M. lichen. .r. January <». [890; Ollin M. Kolb, October <■. 
1893: James II. Warnock. March 31, 1897; \rthnr P. Twineham. Decern 
ber im. [905; Henry Tichenor, April [3, [910, 

It should he added that for its "efl record" as a postoffice, the 

department at Washington selected Princeton as the first office in Indiana in 
which to try out the new postal savings bank system. Hence it became the 
first postal savings office in Indiana. 

Till PRINCETON SANITARIUM. 

The Princeton Sanitarium Compan) lorated), in 1906 

one of the finest, best-equipped hospitals in all southern Indiana, at a cost of 



328 GIBSON COUNTY, INDIANA. 

over thirty thousand dollars. It is centrally located in the city of Princeton, 
and is built of hard brick, cement floors and steel girders throughout. The 
roof is of substantial tile. This hospital was opened to the public in Febru- 
ary, 1907, and conducted for several years, but on account of the death of 
one of the proprietors and founders, Dr. Frank Blair, the institution was 
closed after a time. It was built and operated by Drs. Frank Blair, A. L. 
Ziliak and R. S. Anderson, all local physicians and surgeons of Princeton. 
The institution stands ready for use. having been well supplied with all the 
modern equipment and expensive up-to-date instruments, etc., for carrying 
on successful hospital work. The field here is very large, there being no 
Other hospital within a wide radius, and is within a good city, surrounded by 
one of Indiana's best counties. It is sad to relate that one of the founders, 
Dr. Frank Blair, was taken ill and was the first one to die in the institution 
on which he had built up such high hopes. He was the son of Dr. W. W. 
Blair, who has practiced here since 1850. 

DEVELOPMENT OF Till PI ELIC LIBRARY MOVEMENT IN PRINCETON. 

By Thomas R. Paxton. 

The opening of a free public library is a most important event in the 
history of any t< >wn. 

An act of the Indiana Legislature, approved February 16, 1852, en- 
titled, "An act to establish public libraries," provides that "the inhabitants of 
any city, town, village or neighborhood in this state, or any part of them, 
whenever they have subscribed the sum of fifty dollars or upwards, towards 
the establishment of a public library, may assemble themselves for the pur- 
pose of holding an election for directors." 

On August 9, 1881, thirty-six persons, all "inhabitants of the town of 
Princeton," met in the court room for the purpose of establishing a library 
under this law. These persons, and seventeen '>thers not present at the meet- 
ing, had subscribed five hundred and thirty dollars. The directors elected 
were Adam J. Snoke, William P. Welborn, William G. Kidd, Clarence A. 
Buskirk. Samuel E. Munford, Samuel Warnock and Martin W. Fields. 
Officers elected: Adam J. Snoke, president, and Martin W. Fields, secretary. 

The name adopted was the Princeton Library Association. A statement 
of the proceedings at this meeting signed by the secretary and sworn to before 
A. J. Wright, justice of the peace, was filed in the recorder's office August 11, 
1881, and recorded in Miscellaneous Record, No. 1, page 200. This state- 
ment gives the names of those who attended the meeting. Upon the record- 
ing of this document, the Princeton Library Association became a body cor- 



GIBSON COUNTY; INDIANA. 329 

porate and politic with all the usual powers of such bodies. Efforts were 
made to collect tin.' remnants ol the township library established by William 
McClure, of New Harmony, by his will. Some books were donated, some 
purchased. The books so obtained were assembled in the large hack room 
This was the beginning. In this room meetings were held from time to time, 
at which papers were read an >ses given by prominent citizens. 

Later the library was moved to a second-story room in the Lewis build- 
ing on the southeast corner of the public square. Under a law approved 
.March 8, 1883, the board of trustees of the town levied a tax for the pur- 
chase of 1 ks on condition that the library should ! d tree to all the 

inhabitants of the town. Prior to this only stockholders of the ion, 

or those who paid an annual fee. could take out books. After Princeton be- 
came a city the I ture, in 1885, gave to tin- common council of the city 
the same power to levy a library tax the trustees of the town had. The city 
levied the tax and the library was accumulating a nice lot of book-, and sub- 
stantial had been made, when, on F( 9, 1886, the Lewi- Mock. 
then owned by William Jessup. wa by rire. and with it all the 
books, furniture and rei rinceton Library Association. And, 
sad t" relate, there \\a- no insurance on the hooks. 

Nine d; r the fire the board of directors met on call of the presi- 
deir and mean ^establishing the library. It was a 
crisis in the history of that ii n. Experience had shown that t'> place a 
library upon an enduring ba sion must be made for meeting thi 
sar; uch as light, heat, furniture. 1 k cases and salaries of librar- 

ian and janitor. The money received from taxation could be spent only for 
,s. After much consideration it wa- di subscriptions 

sufficient to buy a lot and erect a two-story building, the first story to be 
rented and the second story t" be used for library purpo 

And the way the people responded to thi- appeal for subscripts 
bright page in the history of Princeton, ["here were over one hundred sub- 
scription-, ranging from the hundred I 1 five dollar-, and amounting to 
about five thousand live hundred dollar.-. \n excursion on the Ohio river 
wa- planned for July 22d. A commit;. die- provided good 

thing- to eat and drink and sold them to the hungry and thirsty on the boat. 
This excursion netted one hundred and fifty-four dollar- and seventy-five 
cents. 

On September 15th the property oi of tin- public square, 

owned and occupied for many years by I V. Hill, wa- purchased of Leon- 



330 GIBSON COUNTY, INDIANA. 

ard Barrett for one thousand eight hundred dollars. A two-story brick 
building was erected thereon, which is still standing. On Thursday evening, 
March 17, 1887, a meeting was held in the large court room to celebrate the 
completion of the building and the reopening of the library. A large aud- 
ience assembled and Hon. Clarence A. Buskirk delivered an address. It was 
a day o'f rejoicing and gladness. 

In 1903 the library had outgrown this building. Besides, it was found 
that some other and better method of electing the directors of the association 
was desirable. As the stock had no pecuniar}- value, and never would yield 
dividends in money, the stockholders would not attend meetings to elect 
directors. At a meeting held March 24, 1903, the holders of one hundred 
and forty-one shares of stock were present and voted unanimously for a reso- 
lution authorizing and directing the directors of the association to tender 
the ownership, custody and control of the library of said association and to 
transfer and convey all property, both real and personal, of said association 
to a public library board appointed for the city of Princeton under an act for 
the establishment of public libraries, approved March 4, 1901. 

Pursuant to this resolution, the tender was made and accepted by the 
common council. The members of the public library board were appointed 
by the judge of the circuit court, the common council and the school board. 
The public library board was organized July 20, 1903, and the officers of the 
Princeton Library Association by deed conveyed all its property, real and 
personal, to the public library board. 

Andrew Carnegie offered to give fifteen thousand dollars lor a new 
building, provided a suitable lot was obtained on which to erect the building, 
and that the common council should pass a resolution pledging the good faith 
of the city that not less than fifteen hundred dollars a year should be provided 
for the maintenance of the library. These, by the way, are the only condi- 
tions Mr. Carnegie makes in donating money for a library building. Mr. 
Carnegie's offer was accepted. The lot, one hundred and forty-eight and 
one-half feet square, on the corner of Hart and "Water streets, was pur- 
chased for two thousand dollars, and the money to pay for it was contributed 
by citizens of Princeton. The selection of this lot seems to have given gen- 
eral satisfaction. It is centrally located, and large enough to provide for ex- 
tension of the building in the future. The new building and equipment cost 
fifteen thousand one hundred and eighteen dollars and sixty-five cents and 
was completed and occupied in the spring of 1905. This is another glorious 
page in the history of Princeton. 



GIBSON I'nl'X I V. INDIANA. 331 

Pn>i Adam J. Snoke was president of the Library Association from its 
organization to October, 1890, when he moved to Seattle. In accepting his 
resignation, the board of directors adopted this resolution: "That in the 
resignation of Prof. Adam J. Snoke the Princeton Library Association has 
lost one of its warmest friends and stanches! supporters; because this library 
has grown in ten years from a handful of hooks and a few private stock- 
holder- to a public library of nearly three thousand volumes, with a library 
building and furniture valued at eight thousand dollar-, and this magnificent 
success is more largely due to his untiring efforts in it- behalf than to any 
other influence." 

The next president was Samuel E. Munford, who was followed by 
Martin \ . W ithers] n, whose term expired January 4, tqoo. 

The librarians in the order of their succession have hern Flora Miller. 
Anna Wright, Mayme Thurman, Julia Duncan and Julia Mason. 

The library now contains eleven thousand three hundred and twenty- 
two volumes. They are ling to the Dewey system, which is in 
use in the congressional library and in most public libraries. Miss Mason 
has ; complete card catalogue of the books therein. A card catalogue 
is indispensable in a large library and invaluable. By its use the resources of 
the en subject are quickly ascertained and found. 

the librarian says that out-of-town visitor- highly commend the ex- 
cellence of the books in the library and the judgment ami wisdom shown in 
their selection. Much of the credit for tin- 1- dm- 1" Dr. William I'. Wei 
born, who was a director from the organization of the association until his 
death, and as a member of the committee "ii literature he gave much care 
and attention to the books to be purchased. The library contain- a ver) full 
list upon the drama, American history, biography, travi s and criti- 

cisms 

The use "f the library seems t" be increasing In February, a short 
month, two thousand seven books were taken out. The numb t'ds 

now in usi by the patrons is one thousand nine hundred and ne. 

Princeton may well 1 of its public library, ft will be noted that for 

twenty year- before Mr. Carnegie made his gift Princeton had by taxation 
and by gifl maintained a lihrar inhabitant-. 

That i- why it i- called the "Princeton Public Library," and not a "< am. 
Library." Under the law of rfjoi, "the judge, common council or town 
board, and the board of school trustees, in making the appointments shall 
select persons of well-known probity, integrity, business ability and exper- 



332 GIBSON COUNTY, INDIANA. 

ience, and who are fitted for the character of the work they are to perform, 
and who shall not be less than twenty-five years of age at the time of appoint- 
ment, and shall serve without compensation for services." 

A public library, like any other business or enterprise, depends largely 
on the management. In his address Mr. Buskirk said: "The majority of 
our citizens all along have shown a sympathy with the library which has 
been of the greatest assistance to the enterprise, and that sympathy with its 
purposes will be needed in the future for it to accomplish the public good 
of which it is easily capable. Let us remember to help watch over and guard 
the enterprise." 

The library seems now to be on a firm foundation and to be accomplish- 
ing purposes of a public library which were so well expressed by Lowell: 
"The riches of scholarship, the benignities of literature defy fortune and 
outlive calamity. They are beyond the reach of thief, or moth or rust. As 
the}' cannot be inherited, so they cannot be alienated. But they may be 
shared, they may be distributed; and it is the object and office of a public 
library to perform the beneficent functions." 

EARLY INDUSTRIES OF PRINCETON. 

Although Princeton of the present can boast of her coal mines, rail- 
road shops, lumber mills, brick plants, and various other important indus- 
tries, the old town of today has nothing to boast of in the way of a variety 
of industries as compared to the new town of a century ago. It will be of 
interest to briefly note some of these early industries and the various ways 
the few inhabitants of early times found employment, even if in this brief 
notice there may be a repetition of some industries mentioned elsewhere. 

The first blacksmith shop in Princeton was located on what is now Main 
street, where the Kolb residence now stands. Perkin Lyons was the pro- 
prietor. 

In 1816 Andrew Culbertson had a harness shop and Richard Hill a 
pottery in Princeton. 

Tn 181 7 Rev. Samuel Boicourt was giving the greater part, if not all, 
of his time to his cabinet shop, where he also made spinning wheels, a house- 
hold necessity of early days. When he was not busy at something else, Boi- 
court was justice of the peace and dealt out justice in quantities to suit. 

As early as 18 16 there was a hatter industry in Princeton. It was con- 
ducted by Robert Milburn, Augustus Sturges and a Mr. Smith. 



GIBSON COUNTY. INDIANA. 333 

At the foot of Hall's hill there was a small distillery in [817-18, oper- 
ated by Sanford Grissim. A shoi nice west of the distillery was located 
Elliott's gunpowder mill. If tin- product of Grissim's mill was anything 
like that of tin- "moonshine" mills of the present time the deadl) effect of 
the gunpowder manufactured by Elliott would he mild in comparison. Vny- 
how. it seems, that the demand for the product of Klliott's mill was small 
and liis enterprise was abandoned after a short time. 

A c< 11 .per shop was carried on for several years by Alexander Ev; 

Jan* - ns built a wool carding mill on a lot one square west of the court 

h.>use. on what is now Broadway, in 1S1S. It was operated by a horse 

treadmill. This was one of the big industries of that time, as people came 

from all the counties around with their wool to have it carded into rolls. 

Among those who came with sacks of wool was Abraham Lincoln, then a 

youth living at his home in Spencer county. This visit was in 1827, some 

thirty years before Lincoln began to attract public attention. As he did not 

get I n time to make the long journey to his home 1 

daj :i remain nighl in Pr ing at the home of Mr. 

n west Broadway. \t that time Robert Stockwell had a - the 

tier where the pul j store now is. and had his name in gilt letters on 

r. This, among other things, atl the attention of 

ith, who he sights in a 

on at that time had been limited. Y 

afterward, when Lincoln was President, he was visited by Robert Stockwell. 

then living in I < >n being ntroduced Lim -.1 re- 

r the name as the one I saw in Pr m a gilt lettt n on the 

m of my visit there. It was the first i, r ilt lettered sign 1 ha and 

it atti . attenl 

The cotton William Jerauld and G& ucklin was built 

in 1824, near the corner of what is now Prince and Walnut streets. 
rated for about five years when it was destroyed by fire and w. 
rebuilt. 

James Leslie had a distillen about one mile east of tin- courl house, 
from 1 1 - 823, where lie manufactured whiskey and a good article of 

paech brandy, af d by those who are < 

In [826 Robert Milburn, Nathaniel Foster and lames Finney erected 
the first steam grist- and saw-mill on the lol nov\ the f I fart and 

Water ..r two later Titus 1 pughl ii rm and 

added a wool-carding machine, which continued until [852. \ distil 



334 GIBSON COUNTY, INDIANA. 

equipment had also been added in 1829 by Robert Milburn and Samuel Hall, 
so that this institution was prepared to meet the wants of the community, 
however varied they might be. In later years the various side lines men- 
tioned were eliminated and the mill was devoted entirely to the furnishing 
of flour and meal to their customers and, this being the only steam mill in 
the country for miles around, it enjoyed a good patronage. Two water mills, 
one at Patoka, or Columbia as it was called then, and the other at Wheeling 
( Kirk's ) , had been supplying the needs of the people in the way of lumber 
and corn meal for some time prior to this and continued to do so until the 
later fifties. The mill at Patoka is still doing business at the old stand, hav- 
ing a modern equipment, using both steam and water power, but Kirk's mill 
went into decline as Patoka river became less dependable as a source of 
water power. 

A wool carding and cotton spinning factory was built in 1828 by Titus 
Jessup and James Howard, on the ground where the west school building 
now stands. This building was destroyed by tire about 1830. It was after- 
ward rebuilt by popular subscription, but for some reason was not used for 
the original purpose. Several years later a company composed of Robert 
Skinner,' John J. Dimick, James Maxam, William Kurtz and some other 
citizens occupied the building as a furniture factory, and developed an ex- 
tensive business in this line. Furniture of all kinds was manufactured here 
and shipped to dealers in all the towns in this part of the state, including 
Evansville. This was before Evansville, now one of the largest furniture 
manufacturing cities in the state, had a single factory of this kind. In i860 
Robert Skinner's interest in this company was purchased by other members 
of the firm and his connection with the business ceased, and the firm became 
known as the Dimick, Maxam & Co. One windy night, in the early part of 
1861, one of the most spectacular fires that Princeton had ever witnessed was 
the burning of this old factory building. And that was the finish of that 
industry at that place. 

In 1857 William Jessup bought the old Evans wool carding factory on 
Broadway, where, with new machinery and equipment, he manufactured all 
kinds of woolen goods, yarns, etc. This was a very important industry in 
Princeton for several years, but this building was destroyed by fire, August 
16, 1883, and was not rebuilt. And this was the last of the woolen industry 
for Princeton. 

Another of the early industries of Princeton that have passed away is 
the pork packing and shipping business. Joseph Devin and Alexander Devin, 



GIBSON COUNTY. [NDIANA. 335 

two of Princeton's leading merchants, had large packing houses and tli'l an 
extensive business for many years. The pork was loaded in flatboats and 
sent down the river to New Orleans. 

THE GREAT EIRE OF I S93 . 

That a great fire would some time occur in the city of Princeton was 
often predicted before the disastrous day of July i_\ 1893. Prevention and 
care had heen urged, but it remained to the flames themselves to teach the 
needed lesson. 

At two-thirty o'clock on the afternoon of the above mentioned date fire 
was first seen in the roof of the building occupied by the millinery store of 
.Mrs. E. D. Walker. By the time the alarm was turned in the whole roof 
was ablaze, and the flames were threatening the row of frame buildings ad- 
joining. The wind was from the southwest, which favored the rapid spread 
of the fire. A hand engine was brought into play, but the small stream helped 
little against the mass of flame. Dr, Kidd's brick corner caught next, and it 
was then realized by the people that the fire was beyond their control, and so 
every effort was tui the keeping of the tire within the block. The 

Gibson house caught, then Mrs. ' >hler's place, then the Smith & Lucas build- 
ing, and within an hour ever} structure in the block west of the square was 
afire. The flames then leaped across State street and caught in the frame 
building of Agar brothers. It was not long before every building in this 
block was afire, and the destruction -till ing, Across Hart street the 

fire traveled, catching the Charles Brownlee building, and Mrs. Baker's 
frame adjoining, Mr. Shannon's residence, and Jerauld's warehouse. The 
Methodist Episcopal and Presbyterian churches in this bl th burned 

the ground. Henry Seller's house <>n North Main street caught tire from the 
flying cinders, also T. R. Paxton's lain. 

Meanwhile a hurried call had been sent to Evansville for ass 
and at four o'clock a section of the Evansville fire department arrived via 
railroad, the train having made the run of thirty miles in twenty-seven min- 
utes. The newcomers succeeded in checking the tire at the Air-line railroad 
tracks, but the damage had been done. Four blocks had ;umed, and 

a fourth of the business houses of the city. 

To one standing on Dr. Kidd's corner, where the Kidd hotel now stands, 
there was nothing but remnants of blackened and crumbling brick walls and 
blasted shade trees as far as the eye could reach. From Mr. Kidd's house, in 
which was the Parmer- Bank, Sam Kidd's brick office adjoining, all the row 



336 GIBSON COUNTY, INDIANA. 

of buildings facing on Broadway to the old wigwam building were burned. 
Crossing the street to the block between Hart and West streets, the fire made 
a clean sweep except the brick office of H. A. Yeager and L. C. Embree. The 
block contained the dry goods houses of W. D. Downey & Company, and 
Dimick, Lewis & Company ; the groceries of W. C. Daly, C. E. Mossman and 
Awepius & Downey ; the furniture and china stores of Smith & Lucas, and 
the hardware store of Mulford & Cox. Across State street the next block 
lying immediately north was a complete wreck. Snapp & Tichenor's carriage 
shop, Mrs. Turner's buildings, Agar brothers, Baber's hotel. Ward buildings 
and the Methodist church were all in ashes. At Emmerson street there was a 
break in the fire, and Dr. West's and Derm's residences were saved. In the 
block between Main and Hart, north of the court house, many structures 
were destroyed. 

The estimated loss incurred in the fire was five hundred thousand dollars, 
with insurance covering only half the amount. 

Another fire, causing a loss of ten thousand dollars, occurred in April, 
1897, when dry goods stores, groceries and a meat market were consumed. 

MUNICIPAL HISTORY OF THE CITY. 

Princeton is a city of the fifth class — below ten thousand five hundred 
population. It was in March, 1818, when five trustees were elected, William 
Harrington, John Xeely, David Hart, Samuel Bolcourt and John Brownlee. 
It run on then until 1884, when it was incorporated as a city, when the fol- 
lowing officers were elected : Mayor, John W. Ewing ; clerk, George A. 
Spitzer; treasurer. William L. Evans; city attorney, Thomas R. Paxton ; 
councilmen, Henry Soller, W. L. Smith, Reuben Emmerson, W. E. Kendle, 
J. J. Hartin, H. L. Wallace. The assessor was William G. Wright; marshal, 
James W. Lewis; street commissioner, Fred Bahne. 

The list of men who have served as mayors since the organization of the 
city follows: John \\". Ewing, 1884-6; Levin W. Gudgel. 1886-8; lames B. 
Gamble, 1888-1890; Henry Soller, 1890-2; James B. Gamble, 1892-4; Henry 
P. Chambers, 1894-8; Charles W. White, 1898-02; Arthur P. Twineham, 
1902-1906; Robert A. Cushman, T906-10; David A. Davison, 1910-14. 

The present city officers of Princeton are: Dorris R. Head, mayor; 
Earl Miller, clerk; Milton Cushman, treasurer; T. J. Mullen, McDonald Wat- 
son, Daniel Davis, C. F. Rumer, Frank N. Harris and G. W. Strickland, 
councilmen. 

The Princeton Water and Lighting Company was granted a franchise 



GIBSON COUNTY, INDIANA. 337 

on November 9, 1891, and is a private corporation. They suppl) [39 lire 
hydrants, charging city for same $5,462.50 per year. 

The Princeton Light and Power Company is a private corporation and 
was granted a franchise in 1893. They have 89 arc lights, 30 incandescents, 
and draw $6,000 a year from the city. 

One combination wagon and eight men constitute the fire department of 
Princeton. 

There are three and one-quarter miles of paving in the city. Three years 
ago tin- two principal streets were paved by the city, all work before being at 
the expense of property owners. 

BANKING IN PRINCETON. 

The first banking institution in the county was at Princeton, and the 
concern was known as the I 'rinceton Banking Company, organized in 1 
with 835,000 capital stock. It was a private bank, and continued as such until 
1872. when its name was changed to Gibson County National Bank, and as 

onducted until November, 1874, when it failed. The officers 
Caleb Trippet, president, and R. M. J. Miller, cashier. 

The People's National Rank, of Princeton, was organized August, 1874 
I'. Welborn, William 1.. Evans, Oscar M. Welborn, William W. 
id James Montgomery, who were first directors. The original capital 
stock v ioo, which has been increased to $100,0 o. It has a present 

surplus 100. with undivided profits of $20,000. In October. 1015. 

ther. • was on deposil in this bank $ The I'm n this well- 

known banking house were: William L. Evans, president; William L. D 

Siier. At thi- dale tin- officers are: Thomas R. Paxton, pn 
Oscar M. Welborn. vice-president; Stuart T. Fisher, .. M. 

Lawrence, assistant cashier: Alfred M. Johnson, assistanl cashier. 

It should be said thai this ban originall) km 

Bank, organized April 3, 1873, under the banking law- of Indiana, with 
$50,000 capital, with tin 874, it 

me a national bank, receiving it^ charter for twenty 
tended another term to August. 1014. The present bank building was 
erected in 1892, at . i, including ried on 

the book, at $10,000, though really worth more than that amount. 

The American National Bank v nized in ith a capita 

$100,000, same as il Its pn sent 

(22) 



338 GIBSON COUNTY, INDIANA. 

amount on deposit, $235,000. In 1910 this bank consolidated with the Citi- 
zens Bank, which had been running a number of years prior to that date. 
The first officers of the American National Bank were: Joseph McCarty, 
president ; Joseph Carithers, vice-president ; John W. Yochum, cashier ; Har- 
vey Milburn, assistant cashier. The officers in 19 13 were: Joseph Carithers, 
president; James H. Warnock, vice-president; John W. Yochum, cashier; 
Harvey Milburn, assistant cashier. This institution does an extensive gen- 
eral banking business, under the national banking laws, and its officers and 
directors have the confidence of the entire community. Their bank building 
is valued at $15,000, and is modem throughout. 

In 1889 the Farmers' State Bank, No. 40, was organized, with W. D. 
Downey, Dr. S. H. Shoptaugh, Joseph Heston, Jasper N. Davidson, R. N. 
Parrett, Arthur P. Twineham, principal stockholders and directors. The 
capital stock of the organization was $50,000, and the officers were W. D. 
Downey, president ; R. N. Parrett. vice-president ; Samuel Hargrove, cashier. 
July 1, 1909, this organization was changed to a national bank, under the 
name of the Farmers' National Bank, of Princeton, charter No. 9,463, and 
the capital stock was increased to $100,000, the same as at present. The 
present surplus is $19,994.80; amount of deposits, 1914, is $340,086. The 
present officers are: Samuel Heston, president; Will Blair and jasper N. 
Davidson, vice-presidents; Frank Harris, cashier; R. N. Chappel and "Walter 
P. Anthony, assistant cashiers. 

This banking concern owns its own building, which stands on the corner 
of Broadway and Hart streets. It was erected in 1893-94, at a cost of 
$30,000. The first bank building burned in the big fire of 1S93, the same 
being located in Kidd block. After the fire the bank moved to the rear of 
Wade's jewelry store, then located on the south side of the Square; this was 
all accomplished with but the loss of one day after the fire. They remained 
there until their present fine quarters were finished. 

The Citizens Trust and Savings Bank, of Princeton, is the only institu- 
tion of its kind in Gibson county. It was organized January 24, 1904, and 
its first officers were as follows : W. L. West, president ; R. C. McGinnis, 
secretary and treasurer; Alexander Emmerson,. assistant secretary and treas- 
urer. The first capital stock was $50,000, same as at present; the present 
surplus is $8,200; present deposits, $168,733.38. The building occupied by 
this bank was erected in 1904, and all the appointments are up-to-date and 
first-class. No other similar institution was ever chartered in Gibson county. 
Its present — 1913 — officers are: George W. Shopbell, president; Forman 
E. Knowles, vice-president; Andrew E. Lewis, secretary and treasurer. 




o 



Z 

H 

s 

o 



2 
O 



Q 
Q 
2 



Q 
J 
O 



CHAPTER XXIII. 



PATHKA Tn\\ NSHIP. 



The life of the early pioneer, now thai the softening caress of time has 
been placed there, has been set in scenes of romance and dramatic interest. 
The tales of privations, of battles, of sacrifices in the struggle to build a 
home, are becoming a bit of folklore, and have become traditional epics, to 
us the same as the Saga to the Norseman, the tales of Siegfried to the Ger- 
man, or even as our own Anglo-Saxon father-. The American ; 
wherever he traveled, met primal conditions, and with primitive implements 
he coped with them. The magnificent forest dwindled before his axe and 
was superseded b\ golden rows of grain. Heroic in combat, as he 

itle in his home, the settler is monumental. Simple, religious, family! 
ing and sturdy, the present generation thus holds him in memory and ennol 
him. 

Patoka township was organized at the first session of the commo 
court, held at the house of Judge William Harrington, on Ma\ 10, 1813, the 
house being located in the southwest quarter of section II, township _\ range 
11, a mile and a half southwest of the present court bouse. Since thai time, 
however, the boundaries of the township have been repeatedly changed. It 
is now bounded on the north by While river and Washington townships, 
by Center and Barton, south by Union, and \ Montgomery, The land 

is drained by the Patoka river and its tributaries in the north. Snake run and 
Pig' k in the southeast, and Central and Muddy creek in the south. 

Originally the surface of Patoka township was thickly covered with umber. 
but this ha- been nearly all clear.-. 1 off and the Ian.! made into rich and | 
ductive farms. The surface is for tin- most part undulating, but in the north 
and east portions, and approaching the stream, the ground bei ery 

rugged and knobby. 

Two miles north of Princeton i- Bald hill, which r in eleval 

of one hundred and thirty [1 n and two hundred and twenty 

feet above the Wabash river. Mound Buili probably responsible for 

the rounded top, as there are other evidence- of this prehisl in this 

part of the state. Considerable bottom land range- through the western part 



34-0 GIESON COUNTY, INDIANA. 

of the township, and Sand ridge passes through the southwestern part. This 
land is very valuable for agriculture. 

EARLY SETTLEMENTS. 

With the opening of the nineteenth century settlements began to be made 
in Gibson county. John Severns had settled near the south bank of the 
Patoka river, at Severns' bridge even before the opening of the century. 
He was undoubtedly the first man to live in Gibson county. In 1798 John 
Johnson, a native of Virginia, came to this county in 1802, by way of Ken- 
tucky, accompanied by his family. The old soldier, Capt. William Hargrove, 
was the next settler of any note. He was a native of North Carolina and 
emigrated to this section in the year 1803. He was afterward an officer in 
the battle of Tippecanoe. In 1805 James McClure and his brother-in-law, 
Isaac Montgomery, came to this county. The person of Gen. Robert M. 
Evans is one of the most prominent of early Gibson history. He was born 
in Virginia. He came to the county in 181 1, and immediately afterward 
joined Harrison's army and participated in the campaign against the Indians, 
including the battles of Tippecanoe and the Thames. He afterward filled 
many important official positions in this county. His brothers, James, Alex- 
ander Lyle and Thomas Jefferson, moved here in 1810. James Wheeler, 
William Latham, William Harrington, Robert Archer. Capt. Henry Hop- 
kins, Joseph Woods, Daniel Putnam, Rev. Alexander Devin, a Baptist min- 
ister, John Braselton, Stephen Strickland, John Clements, Eli Strain, 
Chauncey Pierce, John C. Fisher, William Barker were others among the 
early settlers, and many of them lived to distinction in the growing com- 
munity. 

Tecumseh's conspiracy created a great amount of excitement in the 
county during the time of his depredations. In the summer of 1810 the 
Indian forces were being organized at the Prophet's town, and the settlers 
were on edge, prepared to fight the hostiles at a moment's notice. Rude forts 
or stockades were constructed, three of them in Patoka township, Fort 
Branch, Fort Hopkins, and one at William Harrington's, on the old Mc- 
Curdy place. 

In November, 181 1, Joshua Embree came from Kentucky. The Stor- 
monts and other prominent families arrived in 1812. Mrs. Nancy Stormont, 
widow of David Sto/mont, who emigrated from Ireland, and settled in South 
Carolina before the Revolution, came to this countv wtih her mother, Mrs. 



GIBSON COUNTY, INDIANA. 341 

Mary Boyd, and a large family. They located about two am tiles 

northwest of Princeton. James Kirkman came in 181^. Other leading 
families afterward came, and the township has seen a growth ever 

since. 

The first schools were taught about 1810 dley 

Donald, David Buck, Maj. James Smith, Ira Bostwick and John Kell v 
a few of the earliest teachers. 

The city of Princeton is in this township and forms the subject of a 
special chapter. 



CHAPTER XXIV. 



MONTGOMERY TOWNSHIP. 



This township was named for the Montgomery family, who were 
pioneers of the locality and one of the most prominent families of the early 
days. The real history of the township begins before the organization of 
the county, when the settlers were just beginning to lead their wagon trains 
through the trackless wilderness and to find homes. Montgomery town- 
ship was settled early by these heroic travelers. This township is the largest 
in the county and one of the largest and best in the state of Indiana. It lies 
in the southwestern part of the county, bounded on the north by White river 
township and the Wabash river, east by Patoka township, south by Johnson 
and Posey counties, and west by Posey county and Wabash township. 

The soil of Montgomery township is about two-thirds up-land and one- 
third low-land, the richer soil being made of calcaro-alluvial loam, of high 
productive power. There are four or five small lakes located in the north- 
western part of the township, emptying into the Wabash river. The prin- 
cipal streams besides the Wabash, are Indian creek, Black river, Martin's 
branch, Obion creek and Maumee creek. 

EARLY SETTLEMENT. 

The identity of the first white settler in this township is not known for 
certain. Thomas Montgomery, however, was one of the earliest arrivals 
here, coming from Kentucky, building a cabin near Black river, and lodging 
his family therein. In the same year, 1805, Jesse Kimball also came up 
from Kentucky in search of new fields for his merchandising trade. He 
later owned a water mill in this township. In 1806 Thomas Sharp, William 
and Luke Wiley came to within a short distance of Owensville. Mathias 
and Smith Mounts came about this time, then Jacob Warrick, John Benson, 
Thomas Waters, George and Thomas Sharp, Robert McGary, John Roberts, 
John Armstrong of North Carolina, Jesse Emerson, Andrew Gudgel, James 
Knowles, Elisha Marvel, Samuel Barr, Thomas Sharp, Joshua Nichols. Will- 
iam Teach and Thomas Stone. 



OIBSON COUNTY, INDIANA. 343 

These pioneers cultivated Indian corn in small patches, relying at first 
mostly on the game of the surrounding forest. The red man was hostile and 
they were compelled to be ever on guard. Old Red Banks, of Henderson, 
Kentucky, was the nearest location of a grist-mill where they could get their 
corn ground, and their supply of salt came from the saline wells in southern 
Illinois, to which place a trip was usually made once each year, and they paid 
two dollars and five cents per bushel for the salt In [811, when the Indian 
trouble appeared at its worst, a stockade was built on Thomas Montgomery's 
place south of Owensville, and here the families gathered for protection. 
After the battle of Tippecanoe the soldiers returned and took up their var 
pursuits. About 1812 ether settlers began to pour into the township, among 
them being Charles Jones, Sr., James Fitzgerald. Roland B. Richards, Alfred 
Richards. Samuel Blythe, Absalom Boren, William Rutledge and the Simp- 
sons. The tirst family of Maucks came in 1821, and Samuel Kirkpatrick 
in 1 S _■ 1 also. 

Montgomery township milling was mostly done by horse mills. Jesse 
Kimball, James Montgomery, Thomas Johnson and Jacob Mowry were own- 
ers of some of these early mills. Distilling whiskey was another favorite 
occupation of the farmer. John Hunter was the tirst blacksmith; the 

lent physician was Charles Fullerton, and soon after came Willis Smith. 
The first school was taught by Joseph Dunlap in 1808. John Wasson, R 
ert Frazier, Major James Smith. William McCollum ami John Simpson were 
others of the first pedagogues. 

OWENSVIT.I.K. 

I he town of Owensville is situated on the Mt. Vernon branch of the 
Chicago & Eastern Illinois Railroad, and is outhwest of the 

city of Princeton. The town was originally laid out by Philip Br 
Kentucky, and he named it after Thomas < Iwens of that state. Willis Alsop 
kept the first store in this town, keeping general goods, including whiskey. 

On October 4. l88l, the town was incorporated and the tirst !■ 
trustees was composed of James Montgomery, Hiram Westfall and James \. 
Robinson. I.. I'. Hobgood was the clerk and I. F. Bird thi 

Before it b r lost from the records of the county, let it he stated 

here that the beginning and early development of 1 Iwensville was about 
follows: For a few years prior to the platl 'he town. Willis Msop, 

who lived in a log house, kept le a small 

-, whiskey, dry l: Is, etc., and may well he known as the pioneer 



344 GIBSON COUNTY, INDIANA. 

merchant, though indeed a small business was transacted by him. John 
McFadden built a log store on Main street, a half block from the square to 
the north. There he put on sale a fairly good stock of general merchandise. 
He continued in trade ten years, then moved to Missouri, where he was called 
from his house and shot. The leading earl} business was transacted by John 
C. Warrick, son of Capt. Jacob C. Warrick. He began business as a mer- 
chant about 1820. He dealt on a large scale, buying much produce and 
shipped immense quantities of grain and other commodities. His store stood 
on the southeast corner of the public square. It was a one-story frame 
building. Warrick amassed a large fortune, as counted those days. He 
erected a large warehouse on the Wabash river, where his grain and pork 
was stored during the winter, and when navigation opened up in the spring- 
time they were loaded on great flat-boats 1 such as Lincoln used to work on) 
and floated down the great rivers to the sea. He was also the first post- 
master and held many large interests in Owensville. In 1838 he finished a 
steam saw-mill, to which was added a flouring-mill with three run of buhrs. 
He urged other business men to locate there and was a genuine hustler. At 
his death, in 1847, he was carrying on the largest business of any one man 
in Gibson county. He left no heirs. 

Between 1845 and 1850 other merchants came in. At one date Owens- 
ville boasted of her woolen mills in which a large business was conducted. 

Coming down to the morning of June 29, 1876, the whole solid tront 
of store buildings on the east side of the square was swept away by fire, 
causing a loss of forty thousand dollars. The structures were all frame, 
save the one above named as being on the corner. Several fine brick build- 
ings were later erected on lots where part of these buildings stood. 

Thirteen hundred and fifty people now compose the town of Owens- 
ville. the third largest in the county. The town lias had a rapid growth and 
ranks high among towns of similar size in this portion of the state. The 
officers at present are: Grant Teel, A. W. Thompson and I 7 . A. Strehl, 
trustees; Charles N. Emerson, clerk; E. H. Summers, treasurer, and Sylvester 
Selby, marshal. A town hall was built in 191 1 and cost three thousand four 
hundred and twenty-five dollars. There is at present about one thousand 
five hundred dollars in the city treasury. 

Water is supplied the town by the Owensville Water, Light, Power and 
Heat Company. An ordinance was granted the National Company of South 
Bend on February 7, 1912, and on the 15th another ordinance was passed 
issuing bonds to the total of ten thousand dollars for the purpose of buying 





-. 



■/. 



z 

-. 
- 
- 
z 
- 
- 
- 
■J. 

■J. 

-. 
- 
x 

- 



■t. 
: 
2 
-: 
r. 

- 
- 

-3 

: 
< 
z 

X 




1 



4? '> 





* 



»v 



GIBSON COUNTY. INDIANA. 345 

one hundred and ninety-seven shares of stock in this same company. The 
Owensville Light Company is a private concern, owned and operated by 
James A. Walker. This company was installed in 1905 by an Evansville 

corporation, then became the firm of Smith & Walker, and now is owned ex- 
clusively by Walker. A Metallic Batten Company has just been organized 
in Owensville and is capitalized at ten thousand dollars. 

The business interests oi 1913 are as follows: Di L. Strick- 

land; tailor. Fred Johnson; furniture. \Y. F. Short; jeweler, J. X. Hurst; 
blacksmith. 1". M. Thompson; baker, N. O. Basford; insurance and real 
estate. Frank W. Boren; plumbing and heating, S. A. Parker; contrai 
Rufus T. Murnahan; poultry. Strupe S Fravel; garage, John G. Embree; meat 
market, Kight & Boren; hardware. Marvel & Montgomery; meats, Schmittler 
& Murphy; department store. Abe Massey; livery. John Montgomery; Thomp- 

Hardware Company: wagons, J. W. Kay: lumber, Shepler & Grimwood; 
restaurant. S. J. Knowles; barber. II. R. Kennett: department store. George 
R. Welborn Wetter & Harris. Arthur Emerson; hotels. Owens- 

ville Hotel. L. P. II Central Hotel. Mrs. Delia Phillips; stock dealers. 

John Montgomery, Massey & Mauck. The physicians in Owensville are G. 
B. Beresford, J. X. Williams. K - ckland, T. I.. Lockhart, M. A. Mont- 
gomery, lames R. Montgomery. J. D. Emerson, Otto Bixler, and Dr. 
Brumli. ' the dentists. The town of Owensville has two papers, the 

•nsville Star-Echo, a we< '1 The Messenger, a 1 paper. 

The Chicago & Eastern Illinois Railroad through I 1 lie was built 

in 1S70. The first train over this road was run in September. 1S70. and was 
a combinatii enger and freight, a passenger excursion, run free of 

charge to all Montgomery township rseidents who wished to go to Princet 
The line extends between Fort Branch and Mt. Vernon, and at present runs 
four trains a day. 

Montgomery township is one of the finest in Indiana. There is \ 
rich land for agriculture throughout, and the valui 

long stretches of hard-packed rock roads, about thirty miles of macadam. 
which lead into Owensville. 

'I'h> First National Rank of ( Iwensville was organized "ii Maj 17. 19 
and chartered the same year. The first officers wer B. Smith, pr 

dent; L. F. Weldon, vice-president; Alex. Emers hier. The first and 

pr. .000. The surplus 1 and the de- 

000. The present officers are the same as the first, with the 
ishier. now Charles X Emerson. The bank build 
in 1900. and cost S 1.000. 



346 GIBSON COUNTY, INDIANA. 

The Owensville Banking Company was organized on May 14, 1900, and 
chartered also in that year. The first officers were : R. P. McGinnis, presi- 
dent ; Grant Teel, cashier. The present officers are : George T. Keneipp, 
president; John W. Emerson, vice-president; Grant Teel, cashier. The first 
and present capital stock is $28,000; the surplus is $26,500, and the deposits 
$100,000. The bank building cost $3,500 and was erected in 1889. 



CI I \PTKR XXV. 

JOHNSON TOWNSHIP. 

This is one of the southern sub-divisions of Gibson county. < Originally 
it took in much more territory than at present, for in 1899 ilie county com- 
missioners created a new township from the southern part of Patoka and the 
northern portion of Johnson township, known as Union. As now con- 
stituted, Johnson township is four by twelve miles in extent, running the 
longest way from east to west. The southwestern portion of this township 
is drained by Big creek. Mc< iarry's Flat is a strip of rich black land, superior 
for its agricultural value. The early forests are nearly all gone and where 
the great trees stood a century ago now may be seen well-tilled farms. At 
an early day its forests were known for their wild, yet charming scenes, thai 
changed with the passing of the four seasons. Here was found the 

poplar, maple, beech, ash, gum, walnut, sycamore, cottonw I, elm, honey 

locust, Cyprus, catalpa and other trees. The pioneer well remembers the 
pawpaw hushes, some of which were almost a foot in diameter. In the 
springtime the knolls and hill-tops are plumed with bouquets, brilliant with 
red. white ami purple promises of fruitage. In the autumn the valleys 

nuts with the fragrance of ripening fruits. The only rocky outputs in 
Johnson township are those at or near Haubstadt where the rash coals and 
their companion strata lay. These are of no economic importance, as the 
great depth at which anything valuable can lie found precludes minii 

I. \kl.V SETTLEMl 

The first !i 1 fohnson township dates back . nine y< 

before the county of Gibson w nized. John I lamer and his family 

were indisputably the lirst pioneers of the | rom the 

mountains o| Tennessee, and cleared a plot of land m the timber of section 
30. Jesse Don-las and family, John Sides, of South I arolina, Samuel Spill- 
man, William Mangrum, Cary Wilkinson, Geoi Mien Ingram, 
lurry [ones. Andrew 1' Elisha Prettyman, Andrew Robinson \ 
other first settlers. 



348 GIBSON COUNTY, INDIANA. 

In the spring of 181 1 the people of the township became alarmed at the 
frequent outbreaks among the Indians, and accordingly a stockade of split 
logs was erected at the site of the present town of Fort Branch. The old 
fort has long since passed from view. 

Probably the first schools were taught in this township in 1810 by Will- 
iam Woods. The teacher boarded around, of course, and his pay consisted 
of a small sum from each family represented by a child in the school. James 
Johnson and James Curry were later teachers. Stephen Strickland, the 
"Whiskey Baptist," was probably the first man to preach in the township. 
Other early settlers were Samuel Adams, James Blythe, Lewis Duncan. 
Prettyman Montgomery, Andrew D. Ralston and Joel Yeager, and many 
later were Germans, who came here to escape the monarchial oppression of 
the fatherland. 

Among the early settlers of this township, as it was known before the 
formation of Union township, as above indicated, were the following: Jesse 
Douglas and family of section 20, township 3, in the autumn of 1806. He 
left many descendants, who still reside in the county, mostly in Montgomery 
township. During early days this was a prominent family in the south part 
of Gibson county. 

John Sides and family, who came from South Carolina, came with the 
Douglas family, and their cabins were built only a few hundred yards apart. 
Sides was a noted hunter and trapper and very fond of the sports of the 
chase. He was an industrious, energetic man, and after years of toil ac- 
cumulated a handsome fortune. 

Hiram Sides was born in Gibson county in [821, and became a well-to- 
do farmer and stock raiser. 

Another settler of 1806 was Samuel Spillman from the mountains of 
Tennessee. He was by trade a tanner, and there had to earn his living under 
the ban of Southern aristocracy, which looked upon labor by white man as a 
disgrace. He sought out the wilds of this county and built him a rude cabin 
home near where Haubstadt now stands. Here he toiled many years and 
reared a family of seventeen children, all sons but four. After being here a 
few years he established a tannery, the first in this portion of the county. 
He built the first brick house in Johnson township. 

Other early families were those of Mangrums. Wilkinsons, etc. Cary 
Wilkinson, wife and family of seven children came in from Kentucky in 
the autumn of 1808, settling about three miles southwest of Fort Branch. 
According to the best memory of Pioneer Wilkinson, sheep were first in- 



GIBSON CO ■ . INi'i \- 349 

troduced by some of the settlers in the spring of (815, but great care had to 
be taken that they were nol killed by wolves. It w; ral years before 

the) could ! ssfully raised. Cotton was also raised by man) "t' the 

farmers in this part of the county between [815 and (830. Flax was in- 
troduced with the coming of the first settlers, and tl of this product 
made valuable tow which was woven b) the good housewife and her grown 
daughters into a rough kind of cloth and found its way into the clothing 
the family. Any boy or girl was counted fortunate if they had two suits of 
tow garments in a single year. These garments were ma< 1 'leal 1 
bag, open at each end. ami a drawing string about the neck. This was 
their summer outfit. Thus clad, barefooted and with a cheap hat. the i > < ■ 
girl of the pioneer day was ready for school or to go to "meeting," as church 
was then always called. One pair of shoes for each member of the hou 
hold a year was considered a plenty t*> havi generally came about 
Christmas time. After sheep became more plentiful, cloth was made of 
■I and cotton into what wa itton chain and 

len tilling). This was universally wovi and forn 

the chief clothing material for the settler and hi- famil 

James Blythe came in 1812 from 1 unty, Tenn< eating on 

[I, township 4, range n. and after coming here married Olivia J. 
Mangrum. 

Another pioneer character whose name mi: n by 

n count - true in ind unique qualities, 

was Stephen Mead, who came from York state t" 1 
and married Mary, daughter of John Pritchett, a Revolutionar 
nati nii- 

ty. '1 In- ouple located in what is now ' n town- 

ship, where they reared a family of twel 
industry and frugality they managed to 

world, and later years made up for th< irly 

times. Then, it is related, they had no 
made a li mg table 1 if pund 

they dug holes the sh 1 bowl, and 1 the 

family had their own dish out of which 

At "iie of tl inty fairs this entire family - "id all v 

robust, well-cared-for persoi 

of these twelve suns, was later county comn 1" with the 

building of the present court house, a monument to him nds. 



3SO GIBSON COUNTY, INDIANA. 

As has already been observed, Tennessee furnished many of the early 
settlers in Johnson township. Among others from that state was Joshua 
Duncan in 1821. He had, however, when a boy, moved with his parents to 
Kentucky and thence to Indiana. At Evansville he became acquainted with 
Sarah L. Logan and they were married in 1821 at old Stringtown, which 
hamlet is now embraced within the limits of the city of Evansville. Soon 
after their marriage Mr. Duncan and his young bride moved to Gibson 
county and settled in the dense forest about three miles southwest of Fort 
Branch and by toil and industry cleared a small patch of ground and by the 
aid of his neighbors raised a log cabin. It was made of round logs and with 
a mud-and-stick chimney. Mrs. Duncan says that during the first two years 
they lived on hominy, corn meal and game. That locality was then infested 
with wolves and bears and a few of the small animals of pre}-. Deer and 
wild turkey also abounded in great numbers, which furnished the tables of 
pioneers with good meat. The wife of Mr. Duncan was a native of North 
Carolina. They had born to them ten children. Mr. Duncan became a pros- 
perous, rich farmer and for many years was a justice of the peace. A few 
years after coming here he built a two-story house which was the best in his 
section of the county. It had a shingled roof and was weather boarded with 
poplar siding. The floors were of white ash. He also had a large barn and 
Esquire Duncan's place was regarded as among the finest in Johnson town- 
ship. He died in 1S61. His widow survived him and later resided at Prince- 
ton with a daughter. 

Lewis Duncan and family were also early settlers. He was a brother 
of the above and was a member of the Baptist church and occasionally 
preached at the settlers' houses. Mrs. Lyda Duncan, a widow, and her 
family moved here and located on a timber land tract about five miles west 
of Haubstadt in 1S18. She was a noted midwife of that section and was 
frequently called to minister to the afflicted for miles around. She was an 
excellent horsewoman and on her trips generally rode a fleet and powerful 
stable horse and while on her missions of mercy to the sick, whether it be 
night or day, always carried with her a loaded pistol. Among the old resi- 
dents of the township was Stephen Harris, who came with his parents from 
South Carolina in 1810, and settled in what is now Posey county, where 
Stephen married Polly Emerson and in 1824, with his young wife, settled on 
section 8, township 4, range II, where Mrs. Harris died in 1869. They 
reared a large family of children. 

Prettyman Montgomery, a descendant of one of the old and historic 



GIBSON COUNTY, INDIANA. 35 1 

families of this county, was born in tlii> county in 1815. He became a well- 
to-do farmer and stockman. John X. Mangrum was born in 1827 and was in 
after years a county commissioner. Another of the respected families of 
this township were the Yeagers, whose ancestor, Joel Yeager, a native of 
Virginia, emigrated to Kentucky and there married and in 1826 came to In- 
diana, locating in Posey county, near Cynthiana, and died there. His son, 
Absalom, came to Gibson county in iN_|i and located in the timber in John- 
son township. He was the father of seven children and among them was 
Henry A. Yeager, an attorney in Princeton. 

From 1838 to 1841 there was a large influx of emmigration from Ger- 
many, on account of the tyranny of the ruler of that country, and this town- 
ship received her full share of this German clement, among whom may be 
died such noble characters as Dr. V. II. Marchland; John Sipp, who 
became county treasurer; Larentz Ziliak and Dr. Peter Ottmann. Many of 
them were ! 1 atholic in religious faith. Pater, they established schools 

and churches at Haubstadl and St. James. 

Since the creation of Union township, which took much of the original 
territory from Johnson, it leaves Johnson with only one town, Haulist 

HAUESTADT. 

This was formerly known as Haub's Station, an old stage stand on the 
state road from Evansville to Vincennes. It is ten mile- south of Princeton. 
The town was laid out in the fall of 1855, by fames II. ("'liver, who had 
before bought the land. Henry Haul), after whom the town is named, kept 
the Ma-'- stand and a general store. August Gelser was another early mer- 
chant, also L. Ziliak. Casper Keasel was the tir-t blacksmith. 

Thi it town of Haubstadt numbei it six hundred people. 

The election for incorporation was held on Jul) jo. 1913, and shortly after- 
ward officers were chosen. They were: \Y. W. Sipp. Gei fel and 
Jacob Pfeiffer, trustees; .Matthew Halbig tary and treasurer, and 1 
mli Gruebel, marshal. The town i- composed almosl exclusively o] Ger- 
mans and is a very flourishing and growing community 

gressi\e business interests and a well ordered town government arc elements 
which contribute to the upbuilding of the place. 

The following • the business inti 1913 : Ziliak X- Schae- 

fer Milling Company; George D. Seitz, lumber dealer; general -tore-, the 
Henry W. Puhring Company. A. M. Schultheis Company, Heldt & Riffert 
Company and Stunkel & Halbig; hardware. George S Trible; grain deal 



352 GIBSON COUNTY, INDIANA. 

Theodore A. Stunkel, Ballard & Busing; implements, F. D. Luhring; drugs, 
Peter J. Emmert ; saloons, William Hughes, Jacob Shultheis ; blacksmith and 
wagon shop, Scruff & Pfeiffer; hotel, Margaret Singer; barbers, Anslinger 
brothers; restaurants, O. E. Padellar, Albert J. Singer; millinery, Henry W. 
Luhring, Helton & Riffert. V. H. Marchand is the resident physician. 

The Haubstadt Bank was organized in 1904, chartered on June 4, 1904, 
and started September 2d of the same year. The first officers were : Alois 
Ziliak, president; Henry W. Luhring. vice-president, and Thebes Ferthing, 
cashier. The present officers are: W. W. Sipp, president; George D. Seitz, 
vice-president; A. J. Lynn, cashier. The capital stock is $25,000, surplus, 
$10,000. and deposits, $140,000. The bank building was erected in 1904, at 
a cost of $6,500. 



CHAPTER XXVI. 



UNION TOWNSHIP. 



Union is the last civil township to be formed in Gibson county. Until 
[890 it was a part of Johnson and E'atoka townships, but at the commis- 
sioners' meeting in May, 1890, the separation took place, and since then it has 
been a separate sub-division of the county. For a detailed description of the 
act forming this township, with its boundaries, the reader is referred to the 
chapter on County Government, 111 this volume. 

Its history from the pioneer settlement to the year [890 has been treated 
and fully covered in the township history of Johnson township, hence will 
not here l>e gone over, at any length. Suffice to say that it contains about 
fifty-one sections, with the town of Fort Branch about in its geographical 
center. It is surrounded by the townships of Johnson, Montgomery, 1'at 
ter and Barton. 

In 1900 Union township had a population of two tho one hundred 

and forty-nine and in the census taken in 1910 it showed a population of two 
thousand five hundred and seven. 

Its surface is somewhat broken, hut contains the average number of 

• Ilent farms and prosp. rous agriculturists. The valleys are rich and very 
ductive and the native timber is still found sufficient for all pn 

The schools and churches in this portion of Gibson county have already 
been noted under separate chapter heads. The only town within the terri- 
tory is Fori Branch, a place of more than ordinary early historic interest. 
This show-, that the first settlement in this part of Gibson county was ef- 
fected in what is now Union township, and its del been narrated 
somewhat in the history of that township, which contained a portion 
Union. 

FORT BRANCH. 

Seven and a half miles south of Princeton ted the town of I 

Branch. The railroad was put through in 185J. and since that tune the 
growth of the place has been steady. The town originally, when the railroad 

• limit, was named LaGrange, in honor of Aaron LaGrange, who owned 

(23) 



354 GIBSON COUNTY, INDIANA. 

the land. The postoffice was moved from Little York, which had been a mile 
north. As there was another town of that name in the state, the name was 
afterward changed to Fort Branch, after the fort built during the Indian 
troubles. 

Among the early merchants were James Strain. T. M. Strain and Charles 
Harrington. The first school house was built in 1S61. 

Fort Branch was built in 1S1 1 and was constructed within an enclosure 
or stockade, located across a small branch in order to obtain a water supply 
furnished by Pigeon creek, a little north of the present town, on an eminence, 
the highest point for miles around. The site of this old fort is now under 
cultivation. 

The stockade was built of split logs, set upright in the ground, and the 
blockhouse was made of logs two stones in height. There were port-holes 
m both stories and this enabled the pioneers to shoot in any direction at the 
enemy. Two blockhouses, each thirty by forty feet in size, were situated on 
the line at opposite sides of the stockade. A few weeks after the fort was 
finished and ready for any emergency, a rumor got out that the Indians were 
going to attack the settlement. Residents of the neighborhood gathered 
their families and sought safety in the fort. The Indians failed to show up, 
and it is not on record that the fort was ever used as a defense against the 
intruders. 

When Fort Branch was laid out it was partly in l'atoka township. 
A half mile south of the village L. T. Mead and Littleton Lowe formed a 
partnership, erected a building and started a general store, the object being to 
start a town in opposition to Fort Branch, but the undertaking was a dismal 
failure. The first preaching in Fort Branch was done 1>\ Rev. T. M. Strain. 

In 1913 Fort Branch had about one thousand two hundred inhabitants. 
The community was incorporated as a town in May. 1902. The present 
officers arc: Trustees, Clarence Sides. Charles Scales and Henry Hickrod; 
the clerk and treasurer is Frank Hunan, and the marshal is John Peck. 

The business interests of 1913 are below listed: Restaurants. Henry 
Slinger, O. Ramsey; barbers, McKinney & English, Simmons & Brokaw; 
tin shop, W. I. Stone; general stores, George T. Ford, A. Rodeman, E. 
Richey ; J. L. Bryant, J. V. Delong & Son: hardware and implements. J. M. 
McCarty, F. P. I.awton. YV. L. Woods: restaurant. Henry Lowe; veterinary, 
V. B. Reynolds; jeweler, J. A. Carson: lumber, branch of the Greer-Wilkin- 
son firm; foundries, Lintz Brothers : meat market. I'eter Emge & Sons: job 
printer, J. F. Hoffman; furniture. W. L. Mellinger, S. T. Wheeler & Son; 



GIBSON COIN I Y, INDIANA. 355 

grain, A. Waller, Fori Branch Milling Company; hotel, Joseph Bird; har- 
ss, L. W. Woods, J. M. McCarty; blacksmiths, Wrighl & Weeks, R. II. 
Bidlemann. J. I. Stone, Stephen Lockwood: bakery, I.. Hei B. 

Runcie, W. G. Gram; dray, Roy Wallace; poultry and eggs, Toops & Com- 
pany. W. < i. Hopkins. W. F. Morris, II. L. Bass and W. W. French are the 
physicians, and B G Cox, the dentist. The newspaper is the Fort Branch 
Times. 

Thr water supply of Fori Branch i- obtained from excellent artesian 
wells. Electric lights are furnished b\ the Electric I impany of Fori 

Branch, an organization incorporated in September, [913. \ well-equipped 
mill is maintained bj the Fort Branch Milling Company, and the) have one 
of the first concrete wheal storage vats of this part of the state. A short 
distance from Fort Branch is the coal mine operated by the Fort Branch 
1 Mining Company. The mine gives employment to about fifty men. and 
1 is shipped to various points of the country. The coal is bituminous. 
The fire department of the town is made up of volunteers. 

B W'KINi; IN II Rl 

The Farmers and Merchants National Bank of Fort Branch was star 
as a private banking concern in iNu<>. was incorporated as a state hank in 
1900 and chartered as a national hank in [908. The first officers were W. 
L. West. J. A. West and S. II. West, holding the respective offices of presi- 
dent, vice-president and cashier. The first capital w; I he present 
officers are; S. II. West, president; Gerhard Sollman, dent: Mer- 
man C. Graper, cashier. The hank now has a capita! of $25,000; surplus of 
,000, and di mber, mm; of - 1 It built its own 
banking building in iqoo. 

The First National Bank of Fort Branch wa March \8, 

1908. with the following as officers; W G Stiefel, president; Charles B 
Runcie. vice-president; L. S. Bryant, cashier: Miss Nellie (lark, assistant 

cashier The first capital was $25. : the same capital and 

the present surplus jo, with depo 

hank building was erected in [909 I' 1 1011 \\ 

Stiefel, president; Walter S. Hoffman, Bryant, cashier; 

lohn \ ickerv. assistant cashier. 



CHAPTER XXYI1. 



BARTON TOWNSHIP. 



Barton township is located in the southeast corner of Gibson county. It 
is bounded on the north by Center and Columbia townships, east by Pike and 
Warrick counties, south by Warrick count}-, west by Johnson and Patoka 
townships. This township was organized in August, 1843, but afterward 
the boundary lines then fixed were changed. The township was formed by 
request of many of its later citizens who drew up a petition. 

The land surface of this township is typical of the county, undulating 
and hilly in places and in others, low and rich. Smith's fork. Pigeon creek 
and their tributaries drain and water the soil. McCullough's pond is also 
located in the southwestern part. 

EARLY SETTLEMENT. 

John Miller is accredited with being the first settler in Barton township. 
He came in the autumn of 1814 and located on section 8, township 3, range 9, 
builded himself a rude cabin of logs and housed his family there during the 
following winter. He was a native of Kentucky, and traveled here on foot 
and with a pack horse. Elisha Strickland came in the summer of 181 5, and 
also Jacob Skelton. In 1818 came William McCleary. The first settler in 
the southeastern part of the township was John Kilpatrick, who came in 
1 82 1. William Barrett, Andrew McGregor, James Breedlove and Eli J. 
Oliver were other early residents. 

Perhaps the first marriage of the township was that of John Skelton, Sr. 
They rode to the minister's home on horseback, the bride mounted on the 
pillion. Stephen Strickland, Jacob Bouty and John Kelt were the earliest 
ministers here. Providence church, a log house, was the first house of wor- 
ship. The first water-mill for grinding corn was erected by Jacob Bouty, on 
Smith's fork of Pigeon creek. Dr. George Austin was the first physician of 
the township. 

Coal digging began in this township about 1833, on section 5, township 



\ i v, i\i>i w v 357 

3, range 8. 1880 was the year thi passed over the 

township, demolishing homes and killing animals 

After the organization of this territory into Barton township the first 
ction was held at the house of Blueford II Griswell, September 30, 1843. 
Jacob Skelton was appointed first overseer of the \ r. 

The history "t" the early-day schools will be found in the chapter on 
Education. The churches arc also mentioned in the Church chapter. 

The first child born in this township was John Miller in [815, he being 
the son of the first settler. It is believed that the first death was that of 
Seth Adkinson in 1S17. 

AN EARLY UNPUNISHED CRIME. 

Tn the earls days at a log-rolling an incident occurred which would now 
be called a great crime \n Indian came to where a parte of settlers had 
assembled at a log-rolling, on which occasion it was always the custom lor 
the host to supply a plentiful supply of liquors as well as good meals at 
meal time. Some of the crowd had become in a measure intoxicated, par- 
ticularly a man named Wheeler, and when the Indian above mentioned had 
imbibed quite freely of the liquor he became boastful of his former expl 
relating a circumstance of how he went to the house of a white famil) when 
they were at dinner and compelled them to eat until they were gorged, after 
which he offered other indignities. This =n enraged Wheeler that be at- 
tacked the Indian, striking him over the bead with a handspike, crushing his 
skull and killing him instantly. \s the victim was only an Indian but little 
attention was given to this cowardly crime by the settli 

Barton township has two postbffices, each a hamlet. Somerville ami 
ckskin. The latter i- in the southern part of the township and Somerville 
in the more northerly portion and on the railroad. 

SOW ER\ II II 

This was formerl) known i- Summittville and was laid out by J E 
Smith in 1853. The town site being located on an elevated piece oi ground, 
Mr. Smith chose the name "Summittville" The first house there was 
erected bv \ an N'ada and Baldwin and was used b) them as a general si. 
The first postmaster was George Van N'ada. In [853 Jackson Taylor built a 
blacksmith shop, the first industr) of the s, , r t in that neighborhood. < Uhcr 
pcrs. .us who have been connected with this village an Shanner \ Son. 



358 GIBSON COUNTY, INDIANA. 

Robert Moore, S. G. Barrett, J. W. Skelton, John Walker, William Helm, J. 
S. McCoy, A. Woodruff and Thomas Moore. 

In 1910 Somerville had a population of two hundred. It had several 
small stores and shops, etc., yet it has always served well the convenience of 
the farming community which makes up the general population of Barton 
township. Since the building of the railroad the markets seem nearer the 
farm than in earlv days when far removed from the outside world. 



ill M'N.K w 



i \ towxsi 1 1 r. 



At the September term, [825, the Gibson county board of just 
created Columbia township, and the firsl election was held on the October 
following. 

This township is bounded on the north by the Patoka river, on the 
by Pike county, south by Barton township and west by * !enter. < !oal and sti me 
arc found in various quantities throughout this township, tne land is rich and 
productive and is drained l>\ the Patoka river and its tributaries, including 
Keg and Bear creeks. Bucks, Hurricane. South fork of the Patoka and 
I'u '-key creeks. 

1 \i;i\ SE1 NLEMENTS. 

The early settlers of Columbia township subsisted largely on the game 
which was then plentiful in the surrounding forest. Bears were verj numer- 
ous and many of them were killed. 

John Farmer, a native of the Old Dominion, was one of the 
settlers of the town-hip. lie was a fanner and had the distinction of intro- 
ducing the first Durham cattle and Berkshire hogs into this locality. Phile- 
mon Dili, a Scotch-Irishman from Tennessee, came to this township in 181 |. 
and his family is -till prominent in Oakland City and vicinity. William 
Hopkins and family, John Wallace. James M. Steel. William J. Summers. 
William Nossett, lames W. Cockrum, Samuel Baldwin, Jacob Skelton were 
others among the pioneers of this section. 

0AK1 V s -'' 'in 

Situated at the cro rn Illinois and the 

Southern Railroads, the town of Oakland City has grown to be the second 
town in the county, in al standards and import I he 

present population is two thousand three hundri eventy, and it is an 

incorporated town, the town havii uch in 18 

[esse Houchins was our of tin I known residents in this town, 

followed by many others whose families ntified with the inter. 



360 GIBSON COUNTY, INDIANA. 

of Oakland. The first steam grist-mill was built in 1855 by a stock company, 
and cost eight thousand dollars. Jacob W. Hargrove and James W. Cock- 
rum built the first store room. Cockrum and Warrick platted the town on 
January 15, 1S56, and since then there have been many additions made. 
Solomon Harris had the first blacksmith shop, Franklin Rose the first wagon 
shop, these during the year 1857. The first person born in the present city 
limits was D. C. Barrett, in 1827. VV. M. Cockrum and J. W. Hargrove 
opened the first harness shop, also a shoe shop. X. C. Crister had the first 
furniture and cabinet shop. The Oakland cemetery was laid out in 1855 
by James YV. Cockrum. The first residenl physician of Oakland was Dr. 
William R. Leister. The Independent of 1871 was the first newspaper. The 
first school house was constructed in i860, and J. M. Henderson was the first 
teacher. Among the early manufactures which flourished and up to 1885, 
were the Columbia Mills, the agle Mills, barrel and stave heading factory, 
tile and brick works. 

AS SEEN IN 19 1 3. 

The present officers of Oakland City are : Councilmen, Fred Schrentrup, 
Rudolph P. Smith, Elwood Burkhardt ; clerk-treasurer is Ed. Redman ; and 
the marshal is Ellis Montgomery. The town owns a town hall, which was 
built in 191 1 at a cost of $3,550. There are twelve men and one chief in the 
fire department, which is maintained by actual fire runs. There is one com- 
bination wagon in the equipment. The city owns its own water company, 
which is named the Oakland City Water Company, supplying the town from 
an artificial lake. The company organized in 1903, and the plant is worth 
$40,000. The Oakland City Electric Light and Power Company, incor- 
porated, is valued at $32,000. Light is supplied about five hundred patrons, 
and thirty-two street lights are kept. The city pays an annual sum of about 
two thousand dollars to the corporation. 

The business interests of 1914 line up as follows: Saw mills, Downey, 
Coleman & Co., H. R. Crawford: flour mills, E. H. Baker, Butcher & Mc- 
Cord; attorneys, John M. Vandeveer, John Bilderback, Abraham Cole; doc- 
tors, R. S. Mason, G. C. Mason, J. W. McGowan, W. H. Ashby, W. H. 
Smith, W. L. Leister; dentists, J. E. Wood. J. W. McCord ; drugs, R. M. 
Stormont, A. G. Troutman, O. B. Troutman. W. B. Osborne; groceries, A. 
Deutsch & Bros., G. W. Smith. R. P. Smith. E. O. Hedlin, T. F. Davis; 
variety stores, A. M. Fowler, O. L. Smith, P. H. Walker ; department stores, 
S. V. Levi; dry goods, the When Company. O. A. Kelsey; clothing, Kell & 



GIBSON COUNTY, INDIANA. 361 

Galligan ; hardware, Creek & Heidi Co., Kays & Beardsley Co., Butler I lard- 
ware Co., Charles J. Shu'rig; implement, A. II. Mel arland; news stand. R 

Farmer; photographer, F. C. Benton ; blacksmiths, Perc) E. Slack, John 
Hamilton, Milburn Hubbard, John Randolph, Mont Campbell; livery, Mc- 
Cord & Co., P. H. Lamb & Son, George V Vierling; garage, Oakland I 
Auto Co., Charles Reed. Mont Campbell; hotels. Redman Hotel, ' 
Hotel; lumber, Greer-Wilkinson branch; poultry, C. W. .ban Company, A. 
B. Stahl & Co.: restaurants, William Elwyn, William Martin, John Daily; 
confectionaries, Warrick Mason, Geise Brothers; veterinaries, Sylv< 
Hale; jeweler, M. O. Cockrum; wagon shops, R. X. Campbell; general -tores, 
Massett 8 Murphy; meat markets. T. If. Lowrey, T. F. Davis. There is one 
paper, the Semi-Weekly Journal. 

The First National Bank was organized in [889, and reorganized in 
1900. The first officers were J. J. Murphy, president; J. F. VanZandt, vice- 
president; W. I.. West, cashier. The first capital was $25,000. The pres- 
ent officers are: W. L. West, president; 1.. I Deutsch, dent: \lvin 
Wilson, cashier. The capital is $50,000. the surplus. $6,000. and the de- 
posits, $375,500. 

The Columbia State Bank was organized in 1903, with a capital of 
$25,000. The first officers were John D. Kell, president; J. W. Skeavington, 
vice-president; C. V Simon cashier, The presenl capital is the same, also 
the officers, with the exception of cashier, who is now W. T. Creek. The 
surplus is $9,000. and the deposits, $l6o,000. The bank building was erected 
in loo;.. and ci »St $2,000. 

While the Miscellaneou aptet - of the platting of this pla 

it is well hei • the fact that it was platted by lames \\\ Cockrum 

and Warrick Hargrove, on part of the southwesl and part of the south 
quarters of section 18, township 2, range 8 The streets and alleys are wide. 
This plat was bled of record January [5, [856. It was originally known 
and iv, ' lakland on account of the beautiful grove of oaks which 

a portion of its site. Hut later it was changed to Oakland City, 
there being another < lakland postoffice in Indiana already. 

her chapters speak in detail of schools, churches and lodges, hi 
will not here be inserted, but suffice to say these ate all well represented in 
this modern little cirj in the "Kingdom of Gibson." 



CHAPTER XXIX. 



CENTER TOWNSHIP. 



Center township is bounded on the north by Washington township, east 
by Pike county and Columbia township, south by Barton and Patoka town- 
ships and west by Patoka township. The Patoka river and its tributaries, 
Lost, Keg and Mud creeks, drain the land. The heavy timber which orig- 
inally covered the ground and furnished such excellent hunting grounds, is 
all cleared, and farms dot the country in places. 

Perhaps the earliest settler of the township was one William Reavis, a 
North Carolinian by birth and of Scotch-Irish ancestry. Isam and Daniel 
Reavis came in 1818; David Johnson, Thomas Birchfield, Samuel Beasley and 
Thomas H. McKedy were other early settlers. The early history of this 
township coincides with the other and more important townships, in which 
its earlier history is included. 

EARLY SETTLERS. 

In 1S17 William Reavis married Catherine Hensley and soon after this 
event they made the long and tedious trip to this county on pack-horses, ar- 
riving in the summer of the same year. They settled near the present town 
of Francisco, about a mile southwest, in the timber, where they cleared a 
tract, erected the usual log cabin, and by industry made them a fine farm 
home. One of their children was Alexander, who became a soldier in the 
Union army in the Civil war, and died in Andersonville prison. Mr. Reavis 
died at the old homestead in 1855. His widow survived him about two 
years. They were both of the Regular Baptist faith. 

Isam and Daniel Reavis, brothers of William, with their families, came 
in 1818 and made a settlement not far from their brother's place. They had 
both formerly resided in Kentucky. About 1827 Isam was killed while as- 
sisting in raising a log house, one of the logs falling upon him. The Reavis 
brothers, for a few years after coming here, occasionally had their milling 
done at the then distant Post Yincennes. Charles Reavis later removed to 
Illinois. They were expert hunters and killed many deer, wolves and other 



GIBSON COUNTY, INDIANA. 363 

animals. The}- all had large families and had numerous descendants, many 
of whom are still in this section. 

David Johnson was among the early pioneers of this county, having 
settled in the southern part in November, 1810, and in the spring of 1817 
he located on a tract in the timber, about two miles mirth of Francisco. He 
was from Tennessee and had lived in Kentucky before coming here. 

Thomas Birchfield was among the old settlers of the county, a native of 
Kentucky. He came here with his family in 182 1. He was a brother of 
Larkin Birchfield, who was an old-timer in the county. When Thomas Birch- 
field came in Indians were very numerous. He, however, got along with 
them in a peaceful manner. His first abode was in a small squatter's cabin. 
Meats for his table the first winter consisted of the deer, wild turkey and 
other games of the forest. He later bought out the improvements of Col. 
James W. Cockrum, where Francisco is now situated. 

Samuel Beasley, a native of North Carolina, settled with his family a 
mile and a half south of Francisco in 1830. He had a large family. John S. 
Meade, though not an old resident here, is a son of one of the earliest settlers. 
His father was a native of New York and. when a single man. came to 
Gibson county in 1815. Here he married Mary Pritchett. a daughter of 
John Pritchett, an old Revolutionary soldier. The Pritchetts moved from 
Tennessee to Gibson county very early. They settled in Montgomery town- 
ship a short distance from Owensville. Stephen Meade married, in 1820, 
and located in Johnson township. This couple had fourteen children, twelve 
-<>ns and two daughters. 

Dr. J. C. Patten, of Francisco, is a descendant of one of the early 
descendants of this county. His grandfather, James Patten, was a captain 
in the Revolutionary war. After the war ended hi- moved to Tennessee, and 
in 1804 settled on Green island, Kentucky, and later came to Gibson county, 
Indiana. He settled near Fort Branch, lived there until 1816 and died there. 
He raised a large family, among whom was Hugh Patten, who was for many 
years a leading physician in Princeton. Dr. Hugh Patten died, aged eighty 
years, in 1870. He was the father of Dr. James ( '. Patten, who was a resi- 
dent of Francisco during the later years of his life. 

FRANCISCO. 

This was a- town whose heydey was during the time of the Wabash & 
F2rie canal. Tt was platted and laid out in January. 1851. by John Perkins. 
Originallv it was on the east side and up to the hank- of the canal, on section 



364 GIBSON COUNTY, INDIANA. 

19, township 2 south, range 9. Several business houses and two flouring 
mills were built by Perkins, and the town flourished until 1858. Mrs. 
Sweeney taught the first school here. The first church was built in 1855. 
Dr. J. M. Ireland was the first resident physician. 

Those who remember Mr. Perkins say he was energetic man. He 
built two flouring-mills, a saw-mill and several houses. For a number of 
years he was a merchant and real estate dealer. Francisco was a very busy 
place in 185+ and 1S58. Three large packing establishments, three large 
grain warehouses, a number of general stores and a few smaller places of 
business gave an impetus to the hamlet. 

Among the pioneer merchants and business men, who labored earnestly 
for Francisco were Reuben Baldwin, William Moore, S. G. Barnett and 
Moore & Knowles. 

Francisco was incorporated as a town in the year 1907 and has at present 
a population of six hundred. The trustees are George Schafer, R. C. Stor- 
mont and John H. McConnell; the clerk, Ralph Goldman; the treasurer, A. 
J. Peveler; the marshal, A. L. Wright. The business interests are as fol- 
lows in 1913 : Physician, D. H. Swan; general stores, A. J- Smith, O. T. 
Downey, A. J. Loveless, W. M. Stormont, Joseph Thompson; meat market, 
Horace Swartz; blacksmiths. William Gentry, George Schafer; barbers, Mon- 
roe Hubbard ; livery, C. H. Alarden ; hardware, Stanford Witherspoon, Will- 
iam Hasselbinck; drugs, L. B. Wallace; restaurants, Walter Downey, E. W. 
Dill, Shuh & Peveler operate a tile factory. The Wyoming Coal Company 
operate mine here, mining a good quality of bituminous coal, which is shipped 
to all parts of the country. 

The Francisco State Bank was organized in iqo8 and chartered in the 
same year. The first officers were: D. H. Swan, president; J. R. Morrow, 
vice-president; W. B. Critser. cashier. The first capital was $25,000, and is 
the same at present. The officers of the institution now are : S. R. Davis, 
president; J. R. Morrow, vice-president, and J. W. Finch, cashier. The sur- 
plus is $3,500, and the deposits, $55,000. The bank building, which was 
erected in 1908, cost $1,900. 

EARLY DAYS OF FRANCISCO. 
By Ella Garrison McCormick. 

Situated seven miles directly east of the Gibson county seat lies the 
pretty and flourishing town of Francisco, with a population of some seven or 
eight hundred, and as I have known the little town for many years most inti- 



GIBSON COUNTY, INDIANA. 365 

mately it will perhaps be of some interest on this occasion (the centennial 
celebration) for readers of the Clarion- News to hear something of what the 
town was fifty years and more ago. 

This is my remembrance of it in the early fifties. It was situated on the 
east side of the Wabash & Erie canal, then but a few years in operation. 
Running south from Hugh Murphy's blacksmith shop was a road that led to 
Evansville. and one led west to Princeton. \\ bile there were other winding 
country roads, these two were the only established roads into or out of Fran- 
cisco. The Princeton road did indeed wind on east to Somerville and the 
same kind of road found its devious way to Oakland City, east of us. Fran- 
cisco at that time was but a little hamlet of perhaps a dozen houses and I will 
place them as I now remember them. 

At the southeast was a little log cabin in which lived a family by the 
name of Taylor; just northeast of this cabin was our home, a small frame 
house of four rooms; just across the street — the streets were laid out north of 
our house — lived a family named Cassel. A little north of Cassel's lived 
"Uncle" Hughey Murphy, the village blacksmith pioneer; west of Murphy's 
lived John Perkins and family; across from this, the other side of Main 
street as it was then and ever since known, were three residences, one occu- 
pied by James Perkins, one by Mike Redburn, the other by George Beasley. 
A little farther north was a very small log cabin, but I do not now remem- 
ber by whom it was occupied; farther west, near the grist mill which stood on 
the banks of the canal, was where John Shanner lived; south of the grist mill 
was a saw mill; south of the saw mill, near the canal bridge, was another log 
house, but I do not remember who lived in it. There was a little postoffice 
on Main street and to the best of my recollection it was kept by John Perkins. 
The mails were received and distributed once a week, every Saturday. At- 
tached to the postoffice was a small store, also conducted by Mr. Perkins. 
The school house, a frame building probably sixteen by eighteen feel in size, 
was just south of our home. This building was also used as a church. Dr. 
}. M. Ireland had just located there to practice his profession and he made 
that place his home until less than one year ago. when he was called to his 
reward to answer for all the good deeds during a long and useful life that he 
had done for the people of Francisco. 

As the years rolled on other houses were built. Store- were opened, 
pork and warehouses were established along the canal and the place became 
a good market for all kinds of produce. Among some of the earlier comers 
should be named Reuben Baldwin, who had a store on -Main street; Joseph 



366 GIBSON COUNTY. INDIANA. 

Moore and others, who had stores along that thoroughfare. Stephen J. 
Lindsey had a big cooper shop, George Granger and Seth Fairchild estab- 
lished a blacksmith and wagon shop and a number of other enterprises 
started up. 

At that time Francisco bade fair to become quite a place, but the canal 
was found to be too expensive to keep up ami compete with railroads, then in 
operation and being established. It was making no money for its stockhold- 
ers and gradually began to run down. When we consider that it took two 
days to make the trip by canal to F.vansville from Francisco it is not to be 
wondered at that it was not a popular mode of transportation. I can just 
remember seeing the boats pulled along by two horses hitched tandem to a 
big cable fastened to the boat, the horses on the tow-path and the small boy 
riding one of them. Think of traveling that way now. 

Among some of the families living near Francisco in the early fifties I 
can mention the following: Living west was Thomas Harbinson and family, 
Mrs. Margaret Wilson, the mother of Squire James Sprowl, of Princeton; 
James Hussey. Dustin Mills, the Lawrence family, while north of Francisco 
lived Thomas McKedy. James Aydelotte, Thomas Johnson, James McClel- 
land, Vardiman Yeager, David Johnson and Fleming Farmer. To the east 
lived Jackson Malone, Calvin Drysdale. McGrady Downey and Thomas 
Burchfield, while south there lived Charles Cross, who was a Methodist 
minister for that circuit: Porter Carnahan. Hardy Beasley, William Davis 
and several families of the Reavis'. Southeast lived the McConnells, one of 
whom was "Aunt Nancy," or better known as Granny McConnell, who was 
in those days famed the county over as a doctor. There was no practicing 
physician anywhere in the county who had a larger practice or better success 
than had "Granny" McConnell. She was one of the first and greatest charity 
workers that Gibson county ever bad. She refused no call from the suffer- 
ing; the night was never too dark, tbe weather too bad. tbe roads — which, 
after all, were often only cattle paths through the woods — too muddy or 
rough for her to travel to help those who needed her aid. Her pay was small, 
very often nothing at all and in cases of obstetrics her charges were only two 
dollars and fifty cents, her aim and sole object in life seemingly to be to do 
good to her fellow beings. 

There are a few incidents in my life in Francisco that stand out more 
vividly in memory's book. In November of 1857, when I was but a small 
child, a tornado started near the head of the old reservoir and. coming north- 
east through the heavy timber that covered nearly all the intervening country. 



GIBSON COUNTY, INDIANA. 367 

it struck our little home, completely demolishing it. My mother and grand- 
mother were most seriously injured, but through some dispensation of Provi- 
dence, though the bed I was lying upon was torn to fragments, 1 was not 
injured, but the recollections of that day — or rather morning — are indelibly 
stamped upon my memory. Several other buildings were wrecked, but no 
one was killed. The Methodist church near our house was wrecked, but none 
of the buildings were so completely demolished as was ours. 

KILLING OF WORRELL. 

When the Civil war came on and there was a call to arms, the patriotic 
zeal of the men and boys of Francisco was not excelled by any town of its 
size. No other town in the state sent more brave men to the war than did 
this little community and the country surrounding it, and many who answered 
that call never returned to their home. 1 remember the time when there was 
not a single able-bodied man in that place, except a very few whose sym- 
pathies were with the South and they were wise enough to keep a still tongue 
in their heads. Some very thrilling occurrences took place in the town while 
the war was in progress, one especially that was not only dramatic but full of 
tragedy to one of the participants. 

It was during the exacting days when the country was thrilled by the 
report that Morgan's men were invading Indiana and sweeping all before 
them. A few months previous to this there had come to Francisco a stranger 
who seemed to be a very quiet, inoffensive kind of man. but one who told no 
one his business or where he came from. Some looked upon him as a South- 
ern spy. interested in the Morgan movement, yet, try as the) might, no one 
couid find out anything about the stranger. During those perilous limes it 
was the understanding among the soldiers that no Southern man could come 
into the North without giving a strict account of himself and live. While 
this stranger was in Francisco a number of the Gibson county soldier bows 
were home on furlough and with the Francisco boys came several of the 
far Southern state boys, who had joined them in Tennessee and decided to 
spend their furlough at home with them. It was on Saturday afternoon and. 
knowing of the presence of the soldiers, a ^reat many had come into town 
until quite a crowd was upon the streets. Francisco had Income quite a little 
village by that time and politics was all the talk. The fact that the strange 
man had been seen in company with several well-known Southern sympath- 
izers was mentioned and. he coming upon the street about that time, one of 
the foreign soldiers deliberately shot and killed him there upon the street. 



368 GIBSON COUNTY, INDIANA. 

It created a terrible excitement and the soldiers who were implicated were 
hurried to Evansville and gotten out of the way. It looked like brutal mur- 
der, but the man would give no account of himself and those were days when 
it was not safe to be so reticent. The name the stranger gave was Wor- 
rell and he was buried in the Francisco cemetery. I remember how, as a 
child, I was afraid to go into the old cemetery for fear I would see "Wor- 
rell's Ghost." The man who shot him was a Tennessee soldier by the name 
of Wells. 

I have spoken of the loyalty of the men and boys of Francisco and how 
every able-bodied man at one time was out in defense of his country, but it 
can be said that not all who stayed at home were loyal to the cause of the 
Union. In and around Francisco were a few men whose sympathies were 
all with the South and they were known as "Copperheads." or "Butternuts," 
and, while I suspect they were brave enough when they met in their secret 
conclaves, the gatherings of the "Knights of the Golden Circle," one thing 
is very sure even among the women of that town, it was not safe for them 
to boast of their disloyalty. Some of them had a little experience in that line 
and it taught them that while the men of Francisco could fight on the battle 
fields, it was also regrettably true — for their part — that the loyal women of 
Francisco could fight too, when treasonable words were uttered in their pres- 
ence. Over the vale of years there arises between fifty years ago and the 
present the angel of charity and forgiveness has spread her wings and we now 
try to believe that these men believed they were right in what they did, but 
even then it is hard for many of us to entirely forget the acts of some of 
those days._ 

Incidentally, I want to say also that not all of the women by any means 
were loyal to the Union and. unwomanly as it may now seem, many were 
the hair pullings indulged in by the women of the town. Among the militant 
women of Francisco who fought as they prayed in those days — for the 
Union — I will mention Mrs. Susanna Skelton and Mrs. Julia Dill, both wives 
of soldiers then in the field; Mrs. Edna Bilderback, another soldier's wife; 
Mrs. Amelia Shanner, an aged widow whose father and eleven uncles were 
in the Revolutionary war and who had two brothers and four brothers-in-law 
in the war of 1812, and who still hated with a holy hatred any man or woman 
who advocated the dissolution of that Union for which they had offered their 
lives. Some of the girls were disposed to favor the cause of the South, but 
they were few and generally wise enough to keep a still tongue. But of all 
those to whom my mind reverts there are none now alive. 



GIBSON COUNTY, INDIANA. 369 

GETTING THE NEWS. 

During- the war everyone was anxious to hear the news from the seat 
of war and, as Francisco had but one mail each week, it was arranged that 
each evening someone would go from that place to Princeton and get the mail 
out of the Francisco box and the home papers and the Evansville Journal and 
the Cincinnati Gazette or Enquirer. To meet the expenses incident to all this, 
clubs were formed and then at night the club would meet at some member's 
house and all would listent to the reports of the war. Man}- amusing things 
incident to those days could be related. 

I have referred to the method of getting the daily news, but an addi- 
tional fact might be mentioned. It was understood whenever the church 
bell rang outside the regular devotional hours there was some important news 
from the front and all gathered to hear it. Many who had husbands, sons, 
brothers or sweethearts went in fear and trembling and many indeed were 
justified in that dread, as it was not an uncommon thing to hear when the 
news was read that some brave home man or boy had laid down his life in 
defense of his country. Some who left their homes in the flush of vigorous 
manhood came home physical wrecks from starvation and exposure in South- 
ern prisons. But it was the fate of war ami in nearly every case the be- 
reaved ones patriotically looked upon the taking of loved ones as but their 
tribute to their country in its danger and loyally bore their burden of grief in 
tearless silence. 

A great many of the women who were left at home to make, as it were. 
an "Adamless Eden" could not read or write. My mother, Mrs. Mary \. 
Anderson, would write regularly for a number of the women who were un- 
able to do their own letter-writing, and as she generally had to read to them 
the replies to the letters she was thus made the confidant of many amusing as 
well as serious matters. T remember one instance of a girl who could neither 
read or write and she would always want mj mother to write a great many 
love expressions in her letter. This correspondence was kept up for some 
time and burning messages of love were passing between them all the time. 
Some of the home boys came home on furlough and what was my mother's 
astonishment when the girl for whom she had been writing such undying 
love to her soldier sweetheart came to her and said. "Aunt Mary. 1 am going 
to be married right away." Mother was astonished, as she knew the soldier 
with whom the girl had been corresponding was still in the field. "Yes," said 
(24) 



370 GIBSON COUNTY, INDIANA. 

the girl, "Jim (with whom she had been corresponding) may get killed and 
Mack (naming a Francisco boy then at home on furlough) looked so purty in 
his sojer clothes that I jist could not refuse him.'" And sure enough, they 
were married before he returned to the army, thus proving, in her case at least, 
that absence did not "make the heart grow fonder." 

Of all those who have made Francisco their home since 1855, Mrs. 
Lizzie Perkins Ireland is the only one who has had a continuous residence 
there. It has been her abiding place all these years. Francisco has a very 
warm place in my heart. It was my home for about twenty years of my life 
and a happy home it was to me. 



CHAPTER XXX. 



WHITE RIVER TOWNSHIP. 



This township is in the northern portion of the county, and when first 
organized contained all that part of the county north of the Patoka river. 
The present boundaries of the township are : On the north by White river, 
on the east by Washington township, on the south by Patoka and Montgom- 
ery townships and on the west by the Wabash and White rivers. The land, 
although broken in places, is very suitable for agriculture, all varieties of 
grain being raised in full quantities. The Wabash, White and Patoka rivers 
both drain and water the land throughout. Heavy timber originally covered 
the township, but agriculture has compelled the clearing of nearly all of it. 

The advantage of river operation caused several grist-mills and saw- 
mills to be built here in earlv times. The logs were floated to these mills 
from other parts of the township and county, and the lumber afterward 
loaded on flat boats and shipped down to Southern ports. Other mills were 
in the interior of the township The water in these rivers was at times very 
sluggish, and consequently frequent malarial trouble occurred among the 
settlers. In 1813 and 1814 there was a pestilence known as the "black 
plague," which resulted disastrously for the people of this portion of the 
county. It was equal to the cholera in its fatality. Wild game was plentiful 
in this portion and bears, panthers, wolves, wild cats, elk, deer and wild 
turkey were all hunted by the frontiersmen. Fish in the streams was a source 
of much of the meat supply. Potter's clay was found and was a source of 
great profit in early times. 

The first grist-mill constructed in White River township was of round 
logs and was built by Keen Fields. It was run by horse power and was pro- 
vided with one set of buhrs. Each customer furnished his own power 
during those days and provided his own holt. The first style of holt was a 
box-shaped invention, with straight handle and wire bottom, and was termed 
a "sarch." The ground grist was placed in this sarch and was pushed by hand 
back and forth across the top of an open trough, a hollowed log, which held 
the flour after being sifted out. 



37 2 GIBSON COUNTY, INDIANA. 

The town of Smithfield, now E'atoka, probably had the first church and 
cemetery. The "Forty-Gallon Baptists" held meetings here in log houses. 
John Severns, Sr., was one of the first settlers in this township, and was fol- 
lowed by such men as Gervas Hazelton, Keen Fields, Major David Robb, 
James Robb, Abraham Spain. B. K. Ashcraft, Joseph Milburn, John Mil- 
burn, David Milburn, Robert and William Milburn, Robert Mosely, Abra- 
ham Bruner, Patrick Payne, ( liarles Routt, the Gordons, John Adams, Joseph 
Adams, Samuel Adams, James Crow, Sr. and Jr., Andrew Cunningham, 
William Price. Eli Hawkins, Jonathan Gulick, John W. Grisam, Simon and 
Thomas Key, Thomas H. Martin. Armstead Bennett, William Hardy, Fred- 
erick Bruner, John Hyndman, William French, James Sproule. Robert and 
William Philips, Robert and Stephen Falls, C. and Joseph Hudspeth, John 
Robinson, James Favis, James Skidmore, Andrew Harvey, William Maxi- 
dent, Stephen Lewis, Edmund Hogan. 

Severns' ferry on the Patoka river was the first in the township. The 
second was on White river, where Hazelton is now located, and was called 
the Hazelton ferry. The first bridge in White River township was built in 
1813 by Edward Hogan and Thomas Neely. It was a toll bridge, built of 
logs. 

Azariah Ayres was the first blacksmith; John and Joseph Adams were 
the first merchants. Distilleries were scattered around on most of the farms. 
It was an universal custom among the settlers to manufacture apple and 
peach brandy. 

PATOKA. 

The town of Patoka is three miles mirth of Princeton and twenty-one 
miles south of Vincennes. It is located on sections 24 and 25, township 1 
south, range 10 west, on the Evansville & Terre Haute Railroad and the 
Patoka river. Patoka is an Indian name, and means "log on the bottom," 
applying to the many logs that had settled in the mud at the bottom of the 
Patoka river. The town, which was platted and recorded as early as 1813, 
was first called Smithfield, then Columbia, and then by its present name. 
There is no doubt that it is the oldest town of the county, many having lived 
there before it was platted. For years it was a stage station between Evans- 
ville, "Stringtown" and Vincennes. 

Thomas H. Martin is believed to have been the first hotel keeper and 
minister in the town. 

In the early eighties the following was written of Patoka : 

"Patoka has a population of eight hundred and has seen better days. Dis- 



c.ibson county, Indiana. 373 

tilleries first made her prosperous, then crooked whisky sheared her golden 
locks, nipped her pristine vigor, made her prematurely gray and hurled her 
on the down grade of the stream of time from which she is not likely to soon 
recover; and also this disgraced and bankrupted several of her own citizens 
and made criminals of other residents of the county, only a few of whom 
were made to feel the power of the law which they had violated. Whisky 
has ever been one of the staples of this town; two saloons are here now and 
the time was when merchants and hotels all kept it on sale. A business man 
here today says that on looking over his grandfather's old bills of purchase 
he found the average about thus: One barrel of molasses, two barrels of 
whisky, showing a double demand for the 'necessary tangle-foot' over luxur- 
ious treacle. Patoka has three churches. Baptist, Presbyterian and Metho- 
dist. The school facilities are excellent, having the graded system. 

"The manufacturing interests of Patoka are represented by two steam 
saw-mills, with a combined capacity of from three thousand five hundred to 
four thousand five hundred feet of lumber per day; one steam planing-mill, 
capacity from three thousand to four thousand feet per day; two tlouring- 
mills, one steam and one water, with a combined capacity one hundred bar- 
rels per day, and three blacksmith shops and three large wagon and carriage 
repair shops. The steam flouring-mill has attachments for making- the 'pat- 
ent process' flour. The water mill has a combination of buhrs and rollers, 
being the 'gradual reduction process' of making flour and is said to be the 
best system yet discovered." 

In a great many respects the Patoka of today is very much different 
from the Patoka as described in the publication from which the foregoing is 
quoted. A great many of the business industries noted have disappeared, 
some of them for the town's betterment, hut there are still a goodly number 
of substantial business men in the town and there has been a great improve- 
ment in the character and conduct of its citizens since the days of its un- 
savory record. 

The following was written for the centennial issue of the Clarion-News, 
in March, 1913, concerning this place: 

"Patoka, the oldest town in Gibson comity, was formerly called Smith- 
ville. The town was in existence a number of years prior to the organization 
of the county. In fact, when John Severns, the first white settler in Gibson 
county, settled, in 1789, on the south hank of the Patoka river, at a place 
now known as Severns' bridge, the town of Patoka sprang into being. Other 
settlers naturally followed the path made by Severns through the wilderness 



374 GIBSON COUNTY, INDIANA. 

and when he pitched tent they did likewise. Severns was the recognized 
leader and explorer. His business was not that of founding towns and vil- 
lages. He left this work to others and at this particular time, 1789, one John 
Smith conceived the idea of inducing the handful of settlers to join him in 
establishing a permanent village to be called Smithville. 

"However, in 1813, when the town of Smithville was platted, the name 
was changed to Columbia, in honor of the discoverer of America. 

"The records concerning this remarkable town shed no light as to the 
causes which contributed to the desire to change the name of Smithville for 
that of Columbia, nor why at the last moment the name of Patoka was finally 
agreed upon as having more charm than either Smithville or Columbia. All 
we know is that the oldest inhabitant of the county cannot remember when 
Patoka was known by any other name than Patoka. And this same Patoka 
might have been the first if not the only county seat of Gibson county had not 
a 'black plague' swooped down upon it in 1813-14 and carried off many of its 
citizens. The epidemic appeared about the same time steps were taken to 
organize the county and when Patoka manifested a strong inclination to bid 
for county seat honors. However, the 'black plague' wrought such havoc as 
to completely preclude anything of this sort. Patoka was a long time recov- 
ering from her serious losses. Despite this hindrance, Patoka became an 
important and probably the principal stage line station between Vincennes 
and Evansville. This line carried many passengers in its day and Patoka 
gained much prestige and fame as the result of being the only relay station 
along the route. And in the days of early steamboating Patoka became a 
town of much note. Patoka river, though not now a navigable stream, was 
at an early day the scene of much traffic by boats of small tonnage, especially 
during high waters which made it possible for boats to run up as far as the 
town of Patoka. Two small boats were built on the river above Patoka, one 
for steam trade, the other for moving flats and barges. They operated sev- 
eral years. This river traffic, although quite limited, brought the town into 
renown among river men far and wide. 

"The portion of the land near Patoka was divided by the general gov- 
ernment into Militia Donations, locations and surveys. These surveys were 
made between the years 1794 and 1802. Buckingham, a surveyor in 1804, 
in his field notes running certain boundaries, states that the blazes and marls 
on the trees indicated that the last locations were made about two years pre- 
viously. These donations were originally made to a company of one hundred 
and twenty-eight militiamen, of a hundred acres each to a man and were laid 



GIBSON COUNTY, INDIANA. 375 

off in lots of a hundred acres. These lands were given for services rendered 
in the Indian wars. The persons who received the warrants were allowed to 
either locate or dispose of the same. 

"Patoka being the oldest town in the county, was, as a matter of course, 
first in everything pertaining to the needs and requirements of an advancing 
civilization, such as schools, churches, mills, etc. The first grist-mill was 
erected near Patoka by Keen Fields. The first school house in Gibson county 
was built in Patoka in 1815 and for several years was used as a house of 
worship. The first minister to preach there was Rev. Thomas Martin, of the 
Baptist faith, and it is claimed by one writer that he was the first in the 
county. The first two-story log house in this county was built in Patoka by 
James Robb. The first merchant was John Smith, in whose honor the town 
was first known as Smithville. Patoka was incorporated in the early nineties. 

"It was David Robb, of Patoka, who organized a company of soldiers 
and participated in the famous battle of Tippecanoe. His volunteers com- 
prised a number of Patoka merchants." 

PRESENT PATOKA. 

The town of Patoka, at present, has a population close to eight hun- 
dred. The town officers are as follows: Trustees, L. F. Alvis, G. B. Bing- 
ham, W. W. Witherspoon, C. C. Jones; treasurer, L. F. Riley, and clerk, 
C. W. Stermer. 

The general stores are owned by J. W. Myrick, W. P. Casey, Preston 
Milburn, the Field brothers and J. T. Boerke ; F. O. Milburn runs a drug store : 
Wilkerson & Martin have a dray line; Paul Ivuhn & Company and V Waller 
& Company deal in grain; John Duncan has a livery; L. F. Alvis operates a 
blacksmith shop; Colonel Lynn and Thomas Patterson are the barbers; the 
hotel is conducted by L. F. Alvis and is named the Alvis House: hardware 
and implements are sold by Stermer & Jones; harness is kept by C. Reneer; 
lumber by R. P. Lockhart; Henry Watson manages a mill. There are no 
resident attorneys in Patoka. The physicians are M. L. and S. I. Arthur. 
Earl Turpin and Fred Boerke keep restaurants and confectionaries combined; 
Whiting & Hollis deal in live stock. 

The Patoka National Bank was organized in 1909 and chartered the 
same year. There were thirty-three charter members and the first officers 
were: Alex D. Milburn, president; David W. Hull, vice-president, and 
William F. Parrett, cashier. The present officers are: D. W. Hull, presi- 
dent; J. W. Adams, vice-president; W. F. Parrett, cashier, and Eldon E. 



$j6 GIBSON COUNTY, INDIANA. 

Field, assistant cashier. The capital stock is now the same as in the begin- 
ning, $25,000; the surplus is $7,000. and the deposits amount to $90,000. 
The bank building was erected in 1908, at a total cost of $3,088. 

DEFUNCT VILLAGE OF PORT GIBSON. 

This place was situated on section 3, township 2 south, range 10 west, 
on the south bank of the old canal. It was surveyed in the spring of 1852 
for proprietors Elisha Embree and Samuel Shannon. It has long since been 
numbered among the defunct places of this county. J. R. Strickland, of 
Owensville, a local historian, has described its rise and fall in the following 
language : 

"The history of the rise and fall of Port Gibson is closely interwoven with 
that of the Wabash and Erie canal, a water-way project, born in 1827. In 
that year the United States government granted to the state of Indiana every 
alternate section of land along a proposed canal route from Fort Wayne to 
Evansville, through Lafayette and Terre Haute. In 1830-32 the Indiana 
Legislature offered these government land grants for sale. The land sold 
from one dollar and fifty cents to two dollars per acre, the money to be used 
in digging the canal. The only stipulation was that the government boats 
and agents be allowed to travel along the canal free of cost. 

In 1832 work began on the canal at Fort Wayne: The canal was com- 
pleted to Evansville in 1852. The entire length of the canal was four hun- 
dred and sixty miles, eighty-seven of which were in Ohio. The total cost of 
the Wabash and Erie canal was six million dollars. Along with the comple- 
tion of the canal came the railroad as a means of transportation, with the 
result that the canal became useless before many years. From Evansville to 
Terre Haute, the canal followed a route that afterward became the right-of- 
way of the Evansville & Indianapolis railroad. 

The Wabash & Erie canal extended through the eastern part of Gibson 
county and furnished a highway for the transportation of much of the pro- 
ducts of this county. The little town of Port Gibson, on the southeast bank 
of the canal, thrived and waxed strong. There were also two reservoirs at 
Port Gibson, built as feeders to the canal. One of these covered an area of 
two thousand four hundred acres, the other being much smaller. The canal 
also built locks at Port Gibson and altogether the little settlement became an 
important station, in fact, the principal canal point in Gibson county. 

In 1851-52 Elisha Embree. an attorney of Princeton, and Samuel Shan- 



GIBSON COUNTY, INDIANA, 377 

non platted the town of Port Gibson and otherwise prepared for a perma- 
nent village. By that time Port Gibson boasted of having a store, a black- 
smith shop and a flouring mill, the latter being promoted by Mr. [glehardt of 
Evansville. Later on "Dud" Campbell started a saloon. For a time after 
the completion of the canal passenger traffic was quite heavy and the boats 
always stopped for an hour or two at Port Gibson. 

Had the railroads been a few years later in coming into the county, the 
town of Port Gibson would have blossomed into a small city. The arrival 
of the railroad sounded the death knell of the Wabash and Erie canal and 
Port Gibson. 

HAZELTON. 

This is the second oldest town in Gibson county. It was named in honor 
of Gervas Hazelton, the second white settler in the county to permanent]} 
locate Gervas Hazelton first lived in a "camp,"' the back of which was an 
immense walnut log and sides of poles covered with bark, the front open to 
admit the heat and light of large log fires. Hazelton was famed far and wide 
as an entertainer and his camp was always open to the struggling settlers. 

The town of Hazelton was surveyed ami platted by Lucius French in 
1856. T. S. Fuller erected the first frame building in Hazelton. In about 
John Breedlove built a blacksmith shop. Being located on the south bank 
of White river, the town became a very important port in the days of flat and 
keel-boats. Numerous cargoes of corn, wheat and pork were shipped from 
Hazelton every week. Xew Orleans was then the best market for farm pro- 
ducts raised, at lhat date, around Hazelton. The highway of travel was via 
the Patoka, Wabash. Ohio and Mississippi rivers and five or six weeks were 
required to make the round trip. A complement of five men was the usual 
number required with each boat. \nd it was no trouble to get hands, as 
many young men were anxious to make the trip and would do it for little pay. 
tmagine men shoving a keel-boat loaded with merchandise from New Orleans 
to Hazelton or Patoka and yon will get a better idea of Gibson county's situa- 
tion in its infancy. The first steamboat of any note to pass up White river 
was the "Cleopatria" ; she made fast at the fern where Hazelton stands and 
attracted, big crowds of people. 

THE TOWN IX I'll ; 

The present town of Hazelton is a .very substantial one. considering the 
misfortunes that befell the town in earlier years. The town was incorporated 



378 GIBSON COUNTY, INDIANA. 

about twenty-five years ago and the present officers are : Trustees, James M. 
Phillips, Henry Thorne and John D. Milburn; treasurer, H. N. Weer; clerk, 
B. I. Rumble; marshal, Elijah Gilbert. The physicians are H. D. Gudgel, 
H. M. Arthur and U. B. Loudin. There is a town water company, the plant 
being owned by the city and supplying water from White river. This plant 
was erected in 1909 at a cost of six thousand eight hundred dollars. Other 
business interests are as follows : Blacksmiths, L. H. Ferguson & Son, T. F. 
Thomas & Son; barbers, T. T. Phillips, F. D. Steelman; general stores, C. J. 
Snyder & Company. D. L. Bonner, John H. Briner and T. T. Thorne ; drugs, 
A. C. Sisson, H. C. DePriest; livery, William Morrison: furniture, H. Clem- 
ent; groceries, C. H. Peppers, C. Y. Henderson; grain, Paul Kuhn, Prince- 
ton Milling Company, A. C. Heise ; hotels, F. Knight, Marcus Wellman, and 
the Westfall House; hardware and harness. Wolff & Shawhan ; lumber, 
H. P. Phillips; millinery, Mrs. T. T. Thorne; meat, Adam Kline; restaurants, 
H. N. Johnson, Frank Purkiser, J. H. Bryant; live stock, John W. Ford; 
veterinary, W. F. Thorne; coal, James M. Phillips, J. A. McFetridge ; poultry, 
Ivy Triplett; photographer; ferry, M. O. Decker; oil, John Knaube. 

There are three congregations in Hazelton, the Presbyterian, the Meth- 
odist and the Baptist, but none of the denominations have a resident pastor. 
They are composed of about a hundred members each and have existed since 
the early fifties. There are three main lodges, the Masonic, the Odd Fellows 
and the Knights of Pythias, besides numerous insurance and beneficiary 
lodges. 

The Citizens State Bank of Hazelton was organized in Maw 1903, and 
reorganized and rechartered in December, iqio. The first capital stock was 
$25,000, and the first officers were: Josiah Kightlv, president; Lawrence 
Wheeler, vice-president; Charles L. Howard, cashier; Frank L. Steelman, 
assistant cashier. The present officers are : H. M. Arthur, president ; Aaron 
Trippet. Sr., vice-president; F. L. Steelman. cashier; Chas. W. McFetridge, 
assistant cashier. The present capital is $40,000, the surplus and undivided 
profits, $24,000, and the deposits, $150,000. The bank building was erected 
in 19 1 3 and cost the sum of $6,000. 



CHAPTER XXXI. 



WASHINGTON TOWNSHIP. 



This township was named a fur the first president of the United States 
and is located in the northeastern part of the county. Originally covered 
with dense timber, the land today is very rough and broken. However, the 
soil is productive, especially in the bottom lands. White and Patoka rivers, 
i'ellow, Engine, Pond, Goose, Sand branch and other tributaries afford ex- 
cellent drainage. The township is bounded on the north by Pike county and 
White river, east by Pike county, south by Center and Patoka, and west by 
White river and township. Another descriptive location is by portions of 
township I south, range 9, township 1 south, range 10, and township 1 north. 
range 10. 

The Decker brothers, Joseph, Jacob and Luke, first came to this town- 
ship in 1800 and built a ferry across White river at a point where Buena 
\ ista stood. In the May term, 1813, the ( ribson county commissioners' court 
ordered a road opened from Decker's ferry to Severns' ferry on the Patoka 
river, this being the first one opened by this court. 

One of the next settlers was Nathaniel West, also in 1800. Then came 
Abraham Decker from Kentucky, Robert Falls, W. G. Collins, Mrs. Betsey 
Milburn, Thomas Gardner of South Carolina. Thomas Sullivan of Ireland, 
John Stookey and John I. Neelv. The first sermons in the township were 
preached by Joseph Milburn. a Baptist minister, and the first church was 
built on military donation No. JJ, the building made of logs and \\ ithoul any 
floor. The first resident physician of Washington township was Dr. Joseph 
Davidson; Richard Garner was the first blacksmith, and the first justices, in 
order, were William Phillips, Jonathan Gulick, Robert Kirk and John Gulick. 
The first death was of a man named McCoy, who died on a keel-boat. The 
first postoffice in the township was established at Buena Vista and was called 
"West Buena Vista." John Cunningham was postmaster. Other offices 
were located at Kirksville, later Wheeling, and one between Hazelton and 
Petersburg in Pike county, but all have been abandoned. John (laypool 
opened a store at Decker's ferry in 1816. and this was the first in the town- 
ship. 



380 GIBSON COUNTY, INDIANA. 

Until 1824 the territory of what is now Washington township formed a 
part of White River township. In August of the latter year the board of 
county commissioners laid off the boundaries of Washington township and 
organized the same. Again, in 1837, the boundaries were enlarged by add- 
ing a part of White River township to it. 

The manufacturing in this township has been very light. Lucian Dunn- 
ing had a wagon factory in 1870, and there were several small mills, quarries 
and various trades. 

The population of this township in 1910 was one thousand five hundred 
and forty-six, it having lost, as it is found that in 1900 it had a population of 
one thousand nine hundred and four. There are no towns or villages in this 
township. 

An amusing incident of early days here will be found in the following 
lines: '"William Phillips was the township's lirst justice of the peace. Jack 
Chambers, a local preacher, had rendered service to the people of the town- 
ship, as spiritual adviser, for which he was to have been paid in coon skins 
and other peltry, each subscriber agreeing to pay in so many skins. His 
parishioners, as he thought, were slow to pay him, and he brought suit before 
Esquire Phillips on his subscription list against all, and had service on each 
and every delinquent to appear and answer to the demands of the plaintiff. 
Jack Chambers. Pursuant to notice, court had convened, the parties, plain- 
tiff and defendants were present, the plaintiff claiming satisfaction by means 
of judgment on his subscription paper, when one Alulholland, who was acting 
as agent or attorney for the defendants, walked into court loaded down with 
the stipulated furs and skins, and, to the surprise of the holy man, made 
tender of them in full satisfaction of the plaintiff's claims. The case ended 
in a general laugh, and pleasantness prevailed, all being satisfied with the prac- 
tical joke." 

There was a stone quarry near the I 'atoka river, where stone had been 
taken out and sent by flat-boat down the river from Kirksville, now known 
as Wheeling. This place at one time was quite a business center, having a 
large flouring-mill, stores, blacksmith shops, postoffice, etc. It is situated 
on section 19, on the northeast branch of the Patoka river. It was located 
too far from the Evansville & Terre Haute railroad to help it much, and so 
close as to materially injure its chances for success. Its flouring-mill was 
burned in time, and from its loss and railroad influences the town has gone 
to ruin and decay, nothing of note remaining to mark the spot where once 
much business was transacted. 



illISSON COUNTY, INDIANA. 381 

BUENA VISTA. 

This little, old hamlet is in the northern part of the township on the west 
bank of White river, on military donation land No. 2. It was platted in 
1848 and prospered for six years, having four business houses that carried 
excellent stocks; two packing houses, one saw-mill, a hotel, blacksmith shop, 
wagon shop, two doctors, one saloon, one church and one school house. 
When the railroad was built. Hazelton, a station on that line of railroad. 
drew the most of the business from it and left it to die for want of support. 
There its site stands on the sands of White river. Nothing of importance is 
there today. 

This township is a triangular shaped, though rough edged, territory, 
the northeastern point of one of the most irregular counties in all Indiana. 



CHAPTER XXXII. 



WABASH TOWNSHIP. 



In the extreme southwestern portion of Gibson county is found Wabash 
township, named from the famous, historic river whose waters wash its 
entire north and western borders. There are two series of elevations, com- 
monly known as the "Upper Hills" and "Lower Hills": there are also in 
different parts of this township Indian mounds. The scenery in this town- 
ship in many places is indeed charming. In the early days, in the mid- 
summer months, when the waters were low, numerous herds of deer and 
other animals were attracted hither to feed and the Indians also sought this 
locality as among the excellent hunting grounds of the Wabash valley. Dur- 
ing the years between 1800 and 1815 a few of the half-breed trappers from 
the post at \ incennes resorted to the streams and bayous of this section to 
set their beaver traps, which animals then abounded in large numbers. 
Wabash was originally covered with a dense forest, consisting of the several 
kinds of elm, maple, oak, poplar, linden, walnut, hickory, pecan, wild cherry 
and other varieties of forest growth. The farms and clearings made hard 
toil on the part of the early pioneer. 

There is a large bayou extending diagonally across the township from 
northeast to southwest. This forms a basin for the surplus waters of the 
Wabash river and has its source in that river. There are also several small 
lakes or rather ponds here, among which are Goose, Fish, Foot's, Grassy, 
Brushy. Grindle and Otter Pond. The larger bayou passing through the 
township is known as the "Big Bayou." 

ORGANIZATION. 

Wabash township was formed by the wishes of the inhabitants as set 
forth in a petition and presented to the county commissioners at their Novem- 
ber term, 1838. Prior to that date it formed a part of Montgomery town- 
ship. The first election of the new township was held at the house of Joshua 
Jordon, on the first Monday of April, 1839. The election was for the pur- 
pose of electing two justices of the peace. The first settler here was Daniel 



GIBSON COUNTY, INDIANA. 383 

Williams and family, consisting of wife and nine children. He located here 
in the summer of 1813 on a portion of the farm which afterwards was 
owned by Moses Lamar. Williams was from North Carolina originally, but 
moved to Tennessee, and from there to Gibson county. After arriving here 
he cleared a small tract of land and built him a small pole shanty. The 
locality being infested with Buffalo gnats, which were troublesome, as well 
as dangerous to what little live stock he owned, he therefore, after remaining 
here a few months, decided to pull up and leave for unknown parts. 

Th second settlers to arrive were James Barnett and family, who came 
in the autumn of 181 5. They were Kentuckians. He built the second log 
house. It was an improvement over the first cabin, as it possessed a clap- 
board door and clay-and-stick chimney. The next settlers were John Thomp- 
son and A. J. Cooper and their families. John Thompson was possessed of 
more than ordinary enterprise and of some intelligence. He was a justice 
of the peace while Wabash formd a part of Montgomery township, and was 
the first justice in the territory now embraced in what is Wabash township. 
Among other early pioneers were Jacob Carabaugh, R. Jordon, James 
Crowley, J. Tweedle and Thomas Barnett. The first farm to be really well 
improved was made by Jordon. Young Lamar was one of the prominent 
early settlers and near his residence was erected a very small log school house, 
generally styled as the Lamar school house. It was there William Cash 
taught the first school in Wabash township to about twenty of the children of 
the settlement. The first preacher to visit this section was Rev. Peter Sals- 
man, who preached at the house of Mr. Lamar in 1X20, and occasionally after 
that in the school house. 

The early physician who resided here was Dr. Jesse Fuget. A murder 
was committed at a dance, or a "frolic," as then called, at the home of Pres- 
ley Garret, where William Lance, a guest, killed one Watson. The murderer 
was convicted and sent to the penitentiary fur nine years. 

One of the best improvements in the township years ago was [he build- 
ing of a bridge across the Big Bayou, near the dividing line between the farm 
of John \V. Robb and William J. Jordon. ["his bridge was long known in 
the western part of the county as the "Red Bridge," so called for its coat of 
red paint. This was well built and was covers I its entire length. 

If it were not for the floods of the Wabash, this township would be the 
garden spot of the whole county, for it< soil is 'ike that of the Nile itself. 
But from early days there have been from two to six floods annually, and this 
kept the actual improvement back many decades. But in later years differ- 



3§4 GIBSON COUNTY, INDIANA. 

ent methods have come to obtain and much of the swampy land has been 
tile drained and, with proper care and a fair season (not too many rains), 
the township produces a hundred bushels of grain per acre. 

In 1910 the township had a population of nine hundred and fifty-one, 
somewhat of a decrease from the census of iqoo. The schools and churches 
are mentioned in the chapters on such subjects. There are no towns and 
villages within Wabash township. Much of the trading is clone at Owensville. 



BIOGRAPHICAL 



HON. OSCAR M. WELBORN. 

In the largest and host sense of the term, Judge Oscar M. Welborn is 
distinctively one of the notable men of his day and generation, and as such 
his life record is entitled to a conspicuous place in the annals of his county 
and state. As a citizen he has been public-spirited and enterprising. As a 
friend and neighbor he has combined the qualities of head and heart that have 
won confidence and commanded respect. As an attorney who has a compre- 
hensive grasp upon the philosophy of jurisprudence he is easily the peer of his 
professional brethren of the Indiana bar. while as a judge of the circuit court 
he discharged his duties with signal ability, conscientious care and in such a 
manner as to win the universal commendation of all who had business in his 
court. It is scarcely less than supererogation in outlining the leading facts 
in his life to refer to him as a lawyer in the ordinary phraseology which 
meets requirement when dealing with the average member of the legal pro- 
fession. He has indeed been much more than eminently successful in his 
legal career, as indicated by his splendid record at the bar and his long reten- 
tion on the bench of his judicial circuit. He is a master of his profession, a 
leader among men distinguished for the high order of their legal ability and 
his eminent attainments and ripe judgment make him an authority in all mat- 
ters involving a sound knowledge of jurisprudence, achieving success in the 
courts at an age when most young men are just entering upon the formative 
period of their lives. Wearing the judicial ermine with becoming dignity and 
bringing to every case submitted to him a clearness of perception and ready- 
power of analysis characteristic- of the learned jurist, his name and work for 
years earned him recognition as one of the distinguished citizens in a com- 
munity noted for the high order of its talent. 

Oscar M. Welborn is the fourth son of Samuel Parsons and Mary 
I Waters) Welborn and was born and reared on a farm near Owensville, 
Indiana. In close touch with nature and amid the bracing air and whole- 
(25) 



386 GIBSON COUNTY, INDIANA. 

some influence of a rural life, the future lawyer and jurist spent his youth 
and young manhood. His early experience on the farm tended to develop a 
healthful physique, and while engaged in the labor of the fields he learned 
to place a correct value upon honest toil, besides laying broad and deep the 
foundation for his future course of action. He received his elementary edu- 
cation in the public schools of Owensville and Princeton, and then, having 
decided to make the practice of law his life work, he took the law course at 
the University of Ohio. After completing his legal studies, Air. Welborn 
returned to Princeton and at once entered upon the active practice of his pro- 
fession, in which he rapidly forged to the front and early earned recognition 
as a capable lawyer. Though he efficiently discharged the duties of some 
minor official positions, Judge Welborn's public career really began when, 
on March 15, 1873. Governor Thomas A. Hendricks appointed him judge of 
the eleventh judicial circuit to fill a vacancy created by the abolishment of 
the court of common pleas. Judge Welborn came to the bench well qualified 
for his exacting duties and responsibilities, and from the beginning his 
judicial career was characterized by such a profound knowledge of the law 
and an earnest and conscientious desire to apply it impartially that he was not 
long in gaining the respect and confidence of the attorneys and litigants and 
earning for himself an honorable reputation among the leading jurists of the 
state. From the first his labors were very arduous, as many important cases 
were tried in his court, not a few coming before him by change of venue, in 
addition to which he was also frequently called to other districts to sit on cases 
in which large interests were involved. So far as known, his rulings in all 
cases were eminently satisfactory and impartial and his decisions so in ac- 
cordance with law and practice that everybody interested was thoroughly 
satisfied with his course. As a judge he more than met the expectations of 
his friends and the public and so discharged the duties of the office as to 
receive the hearty approval and warm commendation of the bar in his own 
and other circuits without regard to part}'. He brought to the bench the 
dignity becoming a high position, and 111 the line of duty was industrious, 
careful and singularly painstaking, which, combined with his sterling hon- 
estv and fearlessness of purpose, made him one of the most popular and 
efficient men ever called to preside over the court in this circuit. Tt is but 
just to saw and greatly to his credit, that no political prejudice or party zeal 
was ever allowed to deflect his mind from its own convictions, and while dis- 
charging his official functions personal ties and friendships, as well as his 
own interests and opinions, were lost sight of in his conscientious efforts to 



GIBSON COUNTY, INDIANA. 387 

render equal and exact justice to those whose affairs were adjudicated in his 
court, ills opinions and decisions were always lucid, unstrained and vigor- 
ous, his statements full and comprehensive, and his analysis and interpreta- 
tion of the law logical and complete. That Judge Welborn' s course on the 
bench met with the full approval of his constituents was attested by the fact 
that he was re-elected to succeed himself time and again until he was finally 
compelled to decline election to this office, thus serving a period of thirty-six 
years and seven months, a record without parallel in the state of Indiana, and 
probably in the United States. The eleventh judicial circuit over which 
Judge Welborn presided for so long a period was originally organized in 
1873, and was composed of the counties of Gibson, Dubois and Pike. The 
Legislature of 1895 changed the circuit, which after that year was made up 
of the counties of Gibson and Posey, which formed the eleventh judicial cir- 
suit, after the retirement of Judge Welborn and until 1913. 

At a meeting of the liar of the circuit court of Pike county, held on 
April 5. [895, the meeting having been called to take leave of its long-time 
judge, who had been assigned to the new circuit, the following memorial 
was unanimously adopted and ordered spread of record on the order book of 
that court : 

"The members of the bar of Tike county who have long cherished an 
affectionate respect for the Honorable Oscar M. Welborn. who has been the 
judge of this court since May. 1873, desire to bear testimony to his great 
learning, legal acumen and probity as judge. While enforcing obedience, 
he has yet been merciful to the transgressor and sought his reformation, and 
in the decision of controversies between individuals he has been painstaking 
in the highest degree and his decisions have been learned, impartial and accur- 
ate far beyond the usual incumbent of the judicial office. To the members 
of the bar, especially those beginning the practice, he has been instructor and 
advisor and helped with his ready learning to solve difficulties and intricacies 
else insurmountable and while dispensing inflexible justice, has been genial 
and kindly. 

"Therefore, in testimony of bis courtes) and kindness as well as bis 
labor and learning, we express in this manner our deep regret at the sunder- 
ing of existing relations and hope that his future associations will be as 
pleasant as the past and as profitable to the new jurisdiction he assumes." 

On the conclusion of his long and faithful service as jurist, and by way 
of commemorating his retirement from the bench, the members of the Prince- 



3*38 GIBSON COUNTY, INDIANA. 

ton bar arranged a reception and banquet complimentary to Judge Welborn, 
and which was held at the Masonic Temple at Princeton on the evening of 
October 8, 1909. Between fifty and sixty members of the Vincennes, Peters- 
burg, Evansville and Mount Vernon bar associations were present and par- 
ticipated in the exercises of the evening. On this occasion Thomas R. Pax- 
ton, who was toastmaster, said in part : 

"This is the first and only time when the bar of Gibson county has given 
a dinner in honor of one of its members — the occasion is unique and re- 
markable. This dinner calls attention to, and celebrates, the unique and re- 
markable record of a Gibson county lawyer who was appointed as judge by 
Governor Thomas A. Hendricks in 1873. 

"Since his appointment, continuously to the present time, this Gibson 
count) - lawyer has faithfully discharged the numerous and onerous duties of 
a judge of the circuit court with signal ability, and with conscientious care, 
and with unflagging diligence, and with great learning and legal acumen, and 
with good, sound judgment, and without fear, and without favor. For 
thirty-six years he has worn the judicial robes with grace and dignity; and 
moreover, gentlemen, he has kept the judicial ermine clean, unsoiled and un- 
tarnished. 

"His term of service exceeds by two years that of the threat John Mar- 
shall, as chief justice of the supreme court of the United States. Truly it is 
a remarkable record; it is also a very honorable record, one that a young 
man may laudably covet and strive to attain. Seldom is a man permitted to 
devote so many years to honorable public service. The influences of such a 
life are far-reaching and abiding; they roll from soul to soul, and still go on 
forever. 'Progress in society and civilization is due in large measure to such 
good influences. We cannot overestimate the value of our inheritance from 
the past, from the noble, the great and the true, who still rule us from their 
arms.' 

"The city of Princeton is proud that one of its citizens has attained such 
distinction. For nothing confers such honor and glory upon a city as high- 
minded, noble men. And the Gibson county bar is proud that the reputation 
of one of its members as a learned and just judge extends far and wide." 

A number of letters of regret were received from prominent members 
of the southern Indiana bar, who were not able to be present on this occa- 
sion, and from which the following excerpts relative to the life and character 
of Judge Welborn are quoted : 



GIBSON COUNTY, INDIANA. 389 

Alexander Gilchrist, of Evansville: "It would be a high privilege to 
join with my brethren of the Gibson county bar in this testimonial to Ju 
Welborn. who for more than a generation has been a good judge, a great 
judge, a fearless judge. A potent force for righteousness. Lawbreakers will 
now breathe more freely, but all good men must deplore the ending of his 
noble judicial career." 

E. B. Richardson, of Petersburg: "He has been an honor to the dis- 
tricts in which he has presided as judge, and he retires from bis long services 
with a record of ability and faithfulness that will last for all time." 

Arthur H. Taylor, of Petersburg: "Let me assure you that 1 think it 
fitting upon Judge W'elborn's retirement from his high office thai this public 
recognition of his services to the bench and bar of this circuit be shown in 
the manner contemplated. I have had the honor of many years' practice in 
his courts and ever found him large-minded, unselfish, just ami. above all. 
the honest, fearless arbitrator. He worthily upheld the dignity and admin- 
istered the high trust reposed in him with justness and impartiality. In the 
performance of his duties he proceeded along lines, as I have heard himself 
express, 'That there were no small cases. Every trial is a contest between 
principles, which has for its object the discovery of truth and the adminis- 
tration of justice,' and 1 know that the love of justice is the strongest element 
in tins character of exceptional symmetry and strength. The example of his 
career may well be taken as a model by those who follow him in the high 
office he so long and worthily held." 

From the many newspaper comments at the time, the following line- 
are quoted : 

The New Harmony Times. Friday, March 8, [907: "Judge Welborn's 
occupancy of the bench has been long and honorable, and it is ,-i career whose 
history if written would reflect a tireless industry and an intenseh 1 irm 
desire to uphold the majesty of the law and administer without fear or fa 
the justice that an enlightened people demand. 

"The period that Judge Welborn has served the people of this judicial 
district has been crowded with official duties which would have tried the 
endurance of men less resolute. During his career he has been called upon 
to preside over cases when a right or wrong decision meant a step forward 
or a march to the rear; he has sat upon the bench when his personal safety 
was a matter of deep concern t>> his friends, yel through the years that 
marked his judicial course his purpose to mete out justice as Ins trained and 
educated mind divined it has never faltered and bis occupancy of the bench 



39° GIBSON COUNTY, INDIANA. 

has left the people that he served a rich heritage in decisions rightfully given; 
decisions that have stood for all that was good and clean and uplifting." 

The Louisville Courier-Journal. October, 1909: "In the speeches made 
at the banquet frequent references were ma.de to Judge Welborn as an 'able 
and just judge' and as a 'model citizen.' It may well be believed that lie was 
worthy of such high tributes. Few judges, subject to popular favor, which 
is often uncertain and shifting, are able to win election after election and to 
continue in service with the unimpaired confidence of the bar and their con- 
stituents for a period of thirty-six years. In that length of time a circuit 
judge tries thousands of actions a1 law and passes sentence in thousands of 
criminal prosecutions. It is a position where a man in the fulfillment of his 
duties necessarily must make enemies. Litigants often are bitter in tiieir 
prejudices and disposed to resent decisions unfavorable to their contentions. 
Men convicted of criminal offenses have no 'good opinion of the law,' and 
no great love for the court officers charged with the law's execution. 

"There are manifold ways wherein a jurist may create enemies. He is 
constantly passing on motions and demurrers, smoothing out knotty places 
in the laws and settling controversies between lawyers and contentions be- 
tween litigants. Many lawyers are politicians and there are few litigants who 
do not take an interest in politics. Circuit judges owe their nominations to 
political parties and he who can discharge conscientiously the exacting duties 
of his office and at the same time maintain his political balance, must be an 
'able and just judge' and a 'model citizen.' strongly intrenched in the affec- 
tions of his constituency, or a man of rarest diplomacy. 

"Judge Welborn's record is a remarkable one, and it is a striking tribute 
to his integrity and ability that more than fifty leading representatives of the 
bar associations of Evansville, Vincennes, Mont Vernon, Petersburg and 
Princeton gathered at the festal hoard to do him honor. He could receive no 
higher testimonial, no fitter encomium, as he closes his official career of thirty- 
six years and voluntarily seeks retirement to private life." 

The Princeton Democrat, February, 1890: "Judge Welborn has long 
filled that office to the satisfaction of the people of all parties in this circuit. 
His long experience, great learning, untiring industry, patience, and absolute 
impartiality render him one of the best trial judges in the state. These qualia 
iications eminently fit him for the supreme bench, where his services would 
be equally satisfactory to the state at large. Had all our supreme judges been 
so eminently endowed with these traits, the docket of that court would not 
be so far behind." 



GIBSON COUNTY, [NDIANA. 39] 

Mount Vernon Evening Sun, October 22, 1909: "In his long judicial 
service, many cases, civil and criminal, of vast import have been tried before 
him. Whatever popular opinion may have been as to the results reached, few 
ever questioned his conduct as judge. Main of these cases have been ap- 
pealed. In must instances the judgments were affirmed and not a few of tin- 
cases are today landmarks of the law in Indiana, both from the importance 
of principles involved and the novelty of questions decided. * )ne characteris- 
tic of Judge Welborn which greatly commended him to the people, has been 
his firm stand for the peace and quiet of society. While tempering justice 
with mercy when circumstances warranted it, he believed the crime should 
be punished and, above all, life and property protected." 

Judge Welborn has ever kept in touch with the interests of his city and 
county, and is an ardent advocate and liberal patron of all worthy enterprises 
making for their advancement and prosperity. The Judge was a stockholder 
and director of the People's National Bank of Princeton, in the success of 
which he was a very important factor, and. as throwing a side light on his 
character and on the business methods advocated by him. the following lines 
are quoted from the Berkeley, California. Independent, of December 10, 1907: 

"In the city of Princeton, Indiana, there is a hank that has made a 
unique record for itself during these trying times. It is the People's Na- 
tional Bank, with a capitalization of only one hundred thousand dollars, but 
carrying deposits well up towards a half million. When the crash came in the 
last days of October, the hanks where it was carrying its main reserve funds 
suddenly sent out word to all the interior hank's that their money could not ln- 
furnished them on call, and along with this disturbing news volunteered the 
advice to them that the only thing to do was to run on a limited schedule 
to speak. But it did not take the directors and officers of this bank long to 
decide that the\ would do nothing of die sort, lor nearly half a century 
they had met every legitimate demand without cavil, and they decided to 
maintain the same policy to the end. This in spite of the fact that probably 
no other bank in hundreds of miles around would undertake to do the same 
thing. Put what happened? When the end of the first week came they had 
more monej than at the beginning; at the close of Im^ims. the second week 
they were abundantly supplied with funds, and al the close of the fifth week 
they wire in better condition than at any time in the history of the hank. 
This hank didn't scare the people 1>\ lirst getting seared itself. fhe panic in 
that city lasted less than three days, for the people didn't hoard their money." 

Sufficient has been said to indicate the Judge's character and high stand- 



39- GIBSON COUNTY. INDIANA. 

ing in the community where he has so long resided, and it only remains to be 
said that throughout his entire professional and official career he has been 
animated by lofty motives and made even- personal consideration subordinate 
to the higher claims of duty. Broad and liberal in his views, with the greatest 
good of his fellow men ever before him, his conduct has been that of the lover 
of his kind and the true and loyal citizen who is ready at all times to make 
any reasonable sacrifice for the cause in which his interests are enlisted. He 
is withal a man of the people, proud of his distinction as a citizen of the state 
and nation for whose laws and institutions he has the most profound admira- 
tion and respect, while his strong mentality, good judgment and unimpeach- 
able integrity have demonstrated to the satisfaction of all his ability to fill 
honorably important official positions, and to discharge worthily the duties of 
high trust. 



COL. WILLIAM M. COCKRUM. 

The Cockrum family of Gibson county are of Scotch descent and among 
the very early settlers in this part of Indiana. Col. James W. Cockrum, the 
father of William M., was born in North Carolina in 1799. From there he 
removed to Tennessee, and in 1816 came to Gibson county, Indiana. He 
settled near Francisco, but soon afterwards removed to a farm east of Oak- 
land City, where he lived for several years. He subsequently moved onto a 
farm where the town of Oakland City now stands and remained there 11 
his death, in 1875. In early days he was a colonel of militia. He was a man 
of unusual intelligence and business capacity and for ten years followed steam- 
boating on the southern rivers, lie was the owner of two steamboats, the 
"Otsego*' and the "Nile," and wore them out in the southern cotton trade. 
He ran a great many flat-boats that carried produce to New Orleans and other 
southern cities. In addition, he always carried on farming and mercantile 
business at home. In later years he became an active and zealous member 
of the General Baptist church. His efforts in building up that religious de- 
nomination of which he was a member and supplying it with a house to wor- 
ship in, are still remembered by the older people of Oakland City. He was a 
just man. it can be truthfully said of him that he died leaving to his posterity 
the legacy of a life and name untarnished by an act of wrong or injustice to a 
living man. His intelligence pointed out to him that a free and liberal system 
of schools was the best safeguard of our liberties, therefore, any proposition 
in that direction found him an enthusiastic supporter. 




COL. \VM. M. COCKRUM. 



GIBSON COUNTY, INDIANA. 393 

Politically, he was an old-line Whig and later a Republican. Me repre- 
sented Gibson county in the State Legislature in [8 (.8 and again in 1852. Tie 
was an active supporter of the old Straight-line railroad and one of its direct- 
ors. He was a firm temperance man and, with the aid of his two sons, kept 
Oakland City free from saloons as long as he lived, and the two -ons fought 
it out for the next seven years, or until 1881. Mr. Cockrum was twice mar- 
ried. His first wife was Sarah Barrett, a native of South Carolina. By that 
union there were seven children, none of whom are now living. After the 
death of his first wife, Colonel Cockrum married [ndah P. Barrett, a sister of 
his first wife and a daughter of William Barrett. Col. William M. Cockrum 
is the only survivor of that union. He was born December 8. 1837, on the 
old Cockrum homestead, now in the center of Oakland City. 

William M. Cockrum is a self-made man. There was but poor oppor- 
tunity in his youth for receiving an education. He was very active in "under- 
ground railroad" work in this section. After the passage of the fugitive 
slave law of 1850, there was a great impetus given to fugitive slave hunting 
in all the free states, and in many cases free negroes were captured and sold 
into slavery for life. He was one of the twelve men who kidnapped the ten 
negro hunters who were trying to capture free negroes and gave them a lesson 
that they never forgot. This act greatly lessened the annoyance that our 
people had from these negro hunting bullies. 

At the breaking out of the war, be enlisted in Company F, Forty-second 
Indiana Infantry, and rose through the intermediate grades from a second 
lieutenancy to the lieutenant-colonelcy of the regiment, lie re-enlisted and 
continued in the service until the close of the war. In the battle of Chicka- 
mauga he was desperately wounded, an ounce hall passing through his body 
at his hins. He was captun d lying on the battlefield and taken to Libby prison, 
where he remained for eight months, suffering untold misery which has left 
him a cripple for life. 

In his younger days, William M. Cockrum engaged with his brother, 
James M. Cockrum, in a general store and the produce business and dealt 
largely in pork and leaf tobaced. They had over one hundred hogsheads of 
tobacco in New Orleans when the war came that they never got one cent for. 
Since the war he has engaged in farming and fruit growing. Colonel Cock- 
rum, in many respects, is a typical Westerner, imbued with that vim and push 
that is so characteristic of the free sons of the West. He ha- done more to 
build up the town of Oakland City than any ether resident. 

On October 5, 1856, Colonel Cockrum was united in marriage to 



394 GIBSON COUNTY, INDIANA. 

Lucretia, daughter of John and Mary (O'Neil) Harper. She also is of 
Scotch-Irish descent Nine children have been born to them. Their names 
in the order of their birth are: John B., who is a lawyer, is and has been for 
the last fifteen years Vanderbilt's general attorney for the Lake Erie railroad 
and its tributary ; he has recently served two years as grand sire of the Odd 
Fellows of the World; is a thirty-second-degree Mason and lives in Indian- 
apolis. Ella C, the widow of W. S. Wheatley, deceased, is the teacher of 
English and dean of the women of the Oakland City College. Clara C. is the 
wife of T. M. Campbell. Willie died in infancy. Oliver M. was govern- 
ment land inspector and died in Bismark, North Dakota, in 1907. Zoe C, 
the wife of Prof. B. W. Aldrich, at Moores Hill College. Mary C, the wife 
of Rev. W. P. Dearing, president of Oakland City College. James W., presi- 
dent of the J. W. Cockrum Printing Company. Marion O. Cqckrum, owner 
of the M. O. Cockrum jewelry store. 

Mr. Cockrum is an earnest worker in the cause of Christianity, a member 
of the General Baptist denomination. Politically, Colonel Cockrum since 
casting his first vote has been an earnest Republican. In 1907 he published 
"A Pioneer History of Indiana." The book is full of thrilling incidents of 
the pioneer life, telling how people had to live, their manners and customs, 
giving the history of many of the battles they had with Indians and the beasts 
of the forest. A history of the public schools is also given. 



GILBERT R. STORMONT. 

Gilbert R. Stormont was born 1 1843 > H1 Gibson county, about four miles 
east of Princeton. I lis father was William Stormont, who came with the 
Stormont family from South Carolina in 1832, and whose ancestry is given in 
detail in the history of the Stormont family in another place in this volume. 
Ili-. mother was Elvira Louisa Carithers, a daughter of Andrew Carithers, 
who came from Lincoln county. Tennessee, in 1836. His mother died in 
1852: her sister, who married James Stormont. died in tS/J; a brother, 
Andrew J. Carithers, died at his home near Princeton in 1893; another lister, 
Mrs. John Dunlap. of Chicago, is the only one of the Andrew ( 'anthers family 
now living. 

The early boyhood life of the subject -of this sketch was spent on the 
farm, and he contributed a boy's part to the work incident to farm life. His 
advent was at a time when most of the neighborhood in wh'ch he lived was in 
the native forest, and the changing of this forest into cultivated fields re- 



GIBSON COUNTY, [NDIANA. 395 

quired much hard labor on the part of the head of the family, and all the boys 
who were available for service. About the time he got big enough to make a 
lull hand mi the farm the Civil war came, and, following the example of 
nearly all the boys and able-bodied men of the neighborhood, he enlisted in 
the army. His enlistment was in Company B, Fifty-eighth Indiana Infantry, 
dated October t. 1861, organized in Princeton. The regiment left the 
organization camp for the front December 13, 1861. The subject of this 
-ketch followed the fortunes of this regiment until the expiration of his term 
of service, November 12, 1864. participating in the battles of Stone'- River, 
Chickamauga, and a number of other engagements 

The opportunities for education were limited in the early life of this 
subject, lint the opportunity was not altogether lacking. There was the dis- 
trict school, in the old log school house at the foot of that big hill near the 
Makemson home, where "lickin' and larnin" " was carried on in a spasmodic 
sort of a way for two or three months in the year; then there were other 
schools of more modern methods in the neighborhood later on. The teachers 
in these schools, as a rule, didn't know much, hut educational qualification 
was not the most essential requirement for a school teacher in those days. 
Whatever education the subject of this sketch acquired was obtained in these 
schools and in the more advanced schools in Princeton, and in the [ndiana 
University, which he attended after his army service. 

Mr. Stormont was engaged in teaching for awhile, hut it is not neo 
sary tor the reader to make any deductions as to qualifications from the fore- 
going paragraph. His first experience in that line of work was in a district 
school down near the old reservoir, hard by the limpid water where the frogs 
rendered grand opera, by day and by night; one term in Oakland City, when 
that town, had Mayhugh's hotel, two stores and a blacksmith shop; one year 
in the old Seminary, in Princeton, where the hogs were wont to hold stated 
meetings under the floor, and engage in noisy dispute tor favorite place, and 
where the fleas roamed at will throughout the building; two years in the 
Princeton graded school in tin 1 new building, with I ). l-.cklev I lunter as sin 
intendent. Then he got into the newspaper game. Me wenl to Ubii 
Illinois, in TS73. and bought an old pile of junk and converted it into a new s- 
paper outfit with which the Albion Journal was founded. This venture, 
though at first it 'lid not appear \er\ promising, proved to lie a financial 
success. \fter three years Mr. Stormont sold tin il plant and re- 

turned to Princeton, and. in 1 S77. he bought the Princeton Clarion, which he 
continued to publish for nearly twenty-five years. If there is any marked 
distinction or creditable record made in his life work it will probably he con- 
ceded that it was made while editor and publisher of the Clarion. Anyhow-. 



396 GIBSON COUNTY, INDIANA. 

this record, whether creditable or otherwise, remains open for inspection and 
review. The hies of the Clarion are in the public library in Princeton, and 
are in constant use by those seeking' information of past events. In addition 
to his newspaper work, Mr. Stormont has engaged in other work of literary 
character. His name appears as the author, compiler and publisher of 
several hooks and pamphlets of historical character, the most important of 
which is "flight's History of the Fifty-eighth Indiana Regiment." 

The political affiliation of the subject of this sketch is with the Repub- 
lican party. His first vote for President was cast for Gen. Ulysses S. Grant. 
Elis last was for William Howard Taft. He was a delegate to the Repub- 
lican national convention, in 1884, that nominated James G. Blaine and (ien. 
John A. Logan. He was presidential elector for the first district of Indiana 
and cast one of Indiana's fifteen votes for Theodore Roosevelt and Charles 
Warren Fairbanks for President and Vice-President. As census supervisor, 
in 1880, he had supervision of the census enumeration in fourteen counties 
in the southern part of the state. He was deputy collector of internal 
revenue, in the Evansville district, in 1890-90. under Judge Henry, collector, 
at Terre Haute. Resigning that position, he accepted an unsolicited appoint- 
ment as commandant of the Indiana State Soldiers' Home, at Lafayette, con- 
tinning in that service for nearly four years. Resigning that position, he re- 
turned to his home in Princeton, and soon after was again appointed to the 
revenue service. Tins appointment was in the special revenue service, with 
headquarters at Cincinnati, in a district comprising Ohio, Indiana and Michi- 
gan. In 190S he was transferred to Indianapolis, and later was assigned to 
the duty of division deputy collector, with headquarters at Terre Haute. On 
account of the political upheaval oi 1912 his connection with the revenue 
service ceased May 1, 1914, his brand of politics not being in accord with 
that prevailing in Washington. That it was not because of inefficiency, is 
evidenced by the following testimonial from his chief accompanying his dis- 
charge from the service: "In this connection 1 desire to acknowdedge the 
good service you have rendered ;is deputy, and to testify to your fidelity and 
fitness as an official in the United States revenue department." 

Mr. Stormont has been a member of the Grand Army of the Republic 
since its organization as a national order in 1868. He is a charter member 
of Archer Post, Princeton, and served as department commander of Indiana 
in 1890-')]. With few exceptions, he has attended all the national and de- 
partment encampments since the organization of the order. 

Mr. Stormont was married to Kate Keys, in Princeton, March 16, 1870. 
They are members of the United Presbyterian church. The children living 
are Plarrv K., who married Eunice Heston, their son, Lowell Heston, living 



GIBSON COUNTY, INDIANA. yjj 

at Indianapolis. Ralph M., who married Man Genung, living in Oakland 
City. Donald M., who married Pearl Murphy, their daughter, Margaret 
Catherine, living in Princeton. 

(Publisher's Note: The publishers of this work take the privilege 
of adding a few words in the above sketch, to say that Mr. Stormont has for 
many years been numbered among the leading citizens of Gibson county, and 
is a worthy representative of a family which, from the pioneer period, has 
been closely identified with the history of this section of the slate. The 
family has been characterized by personal courage, love of justice, intense 
loyalty and sturdy integrity, qualities which will make any people great. 
These same qualities have been exemplified in the subject of this review, who. 
as soldier, editor, public official and private citizen, has stood firmly for those 
thing- which are right and which have tended to advance the general welfare 
of the community, lie has thus rightfully earned the position generally ac- 
corded him as one of the representative men of his county.) 



WILLIAM L. WEST. 



The gentleman whose name appears at the head of this biographical 
review needs no introduction to the people of Gibson county, since his entire 
life has been spent in this community, a life devoted not only to the fostering 
of his own interests, but also to the welfare of all. An honorable represent- 
ative of one of the esteemed families of his section ami a gentleman of high 
character and worthy ambitions, he has tilled no small place in the public 
view, as the important official positions he has held bear witness. He is a 
splendid type of the intelligent, up-to-date, self-made American in the full 
sense of the term, and is regarded as one of the very best business men the 
county can boast of. As a citizen, he is progressive and abreast of the limes 
in all that concerns the common weal and has the unqualified respect and 
confidence of all. 

William L. West, president of the First National Bank, formerly the 
People's State Bank, of Oakland City. Indiana, first saw the light of day on 
May 6, 1849, two miles east of Fort Branch, Indiana. I [e is a sou of Samuel 
H. West, Sr., and his wife, Catherine ( Sidle) West, who was born in Mead- 
ville, Pennsylvania, in 1823. She was a daughter of George and Barbara 
Sidle, who came from Pennsylvania to Gibson county in [828 and settled in 
Union township, north of the old West homestead. Here they obtained land, 
which they cleared and upon which they built their home and continued to 



39'^ GIBSON COUNTY, INDIANA. 

live on that spot for many years. They later moved to Fort Branch, where 
they died. The Sidle family was of German extraction. 

Samuel H. West, Sr., father of the immediate subject of this sketch, 
was born seven miles west of Fort Branch. Indiana, in 1820. He' was the 
son of James West, of South Carolina, who was the first member of the 
family to come to Gibson county. Here he settled near Blythe's Chapel. 
where he obtained heavily timbered land, which he converted into well tilled 
acres, with comfortable dwelling and outbuildings, and where he passed the 
remainder of his life. He married Barbara Borum and to their union were 
burn the following children, namely: Samuel H.. afterwards known as 
Samuel H., Sr., father of the immediate subject of this sketch. Eliza, who 
died at home. William, a farmer in Union township, who married Nancy 
Pritchett. Loss, one of the sons, died during the war, at Knoxville, Ten- 
nessee; he was unmarried and a member of the Fifty-eighth Regiment In- 
diana Volunteer Infantry. Betsy married John Redmond and they lived in 
Union township. Both are now dead. Louisa, another daughter, married 
Harrison Eaton and they made their home in Owensville. The youngest 
child was Polly, who became the wife of John Pritchett and they lived near 
Owensville. 

Samuel H. West, Sr., grew up on die homestead, assisting his father. 
He had very little opportunity for schooling, owing to the moderate circum- 
stances of his parents and the meager opportunities at best, but he was a 
natural reader and student and acquired through his own efforts quite a good 
education. As he grew to manhood, he desired to possess land in his own 
right and, in return for a horse, saddle and bridle, he received eighty acres 
of heavily timbered land lying two miles east of Fort Branch. To this first 
possession he added from time to time until he finally possessed four hun- 
dred acres of the finest land in the county. This he continued to farm until 
he retired in 1S92. He had the reputation of being an exceptionally good 
business man. a man who could truthfullv stvle himself "self made." and 
was well known all over the county. To Samuel H. West. Sr., and his wife 
Catherine were born seven children: Louisa, who became the wife of N. H. 
Dorsey. a retired farmer at Oakland City; she died in February of 10.13. 
The second child in order of birth was William L.. the immediate subject of 
this sketch. John A., born October 28, 1851, lives at Antioch. California. 
and is president of the Antioch Xational Bank. He married Emma Teck- 
lenburg. Elzaphan was born August 25. 1853, and died August 30. 1855. 
Mary was born February 7, 1856, and is the wife of P. Bryant, of Fort 
Branch. Indiana. Isabella, born November [8, 1858, married Charles Gil- 



GIBSON COUNTY, INDIANA. ;w I 

btrt. of Columbus, Ohio. Susan, born October u. 1863, is the wife of 
William A. Baldwin, residing at Lake Winona, Indiana. Samuel II.. born 
July 8, 1861, is the president of the Farmers and Merchants Bank at Fort 
Branch. He has been twice married. His first wife was Mattie 1 boper, and 
the second wife Agnes Blessing. Samuel H. West. Sr.. and wife were life- 
long" members of the Methodist Episcopal church, and gave much of their 
time and means to further the cause of religion. 1 1 is death occurred in June, 
[898, and she died December 28, 1910. 

William I.. West received his elemental")- education in the home schools, 
later attending Indiana University at Bloomington four years, graduating 
in 1873. I je tnen matriculated in Miami Medical College at Cincinnati. 
Ohio, from which he was graduated in 1876. and immediately took up the 
practice of medicine at Owensville, Indiana. ! Ie practiced there but a short 
time and on January it. 1877, was united in marriage to Lisetta D. Speck, 
of Owensville. She was the daughter of William A. ami Lisetta D. ( Weikel ) 
Speck, of Dresden, Prussia. They were both young when they came to 
America and both located in Owensville. Here their marriage took place. 
Lisetta died and Mr. Speck married a second time, his bride being Elizabeth 
Schlosky, of Germany. She died in July of tqi t. He went to California, 
where his death occurred. 

After his marriage. William L. West left Owensville, going to Fort 
Branch, where he engaged in the drug business with bis brother under the 
firm name of W. L. & J. A. West. This partnership continued for nearly 
three years, when he sold his interest to his brother, John, and went to 
Boonville, Indiana, where he was in the drug business for about two years. 
He then went to Oakland City in 1881, where be was engaged in the same 
line for about ten years. In [891 he sold oul and was one of tin' organizers 
of the People's State Bank of that place, this organization taking place in 
1889. John J. Murphy was president and William I.. Wesl was cashier for 
fifteen years. At the time of Mr. Murphy's death. Mr. West was raised to 
the presidency and Mvin Wilson was made cashier. The directors are T. 
Wilson. W. H. Lowry, L. J. Deutsch and David Ingle. 

Mr. West was one of the organizers of the Citizens Bank of Princeton 
in 1003 and served as president for four or five years. Mso be and two of 
his brothers organized the Farmers and Merchants Bank at Fori Branch, 
which organization he served as president for sixteen years. In August, 
1904. Mr. and Mrs. West moved their home to Princeton, locating at No. 
2 1 ^ Fast Stale street, where they have since resided, their home being a 
center of interest to their host of friends. Mr. and Mrs. Wesl have an in- 



400 GIBSON COUNTY, INDIANA. 

teresting family of children, the oldest of whom, a little daughter called 
Bertha, died at the age of three years. The next in order is Carl R., a travel- 
ing salesman for a jewelry firm in Indianapolis, whose wife was Miss Jessie 
Dill. Roland E. is attending school at Valparaiso, Indiana. The fourth 
child was a little son, Fred, who died when one year old. William L., Jr., 
has been a telegraph operator stationed at Ashland, Kentucky, but he is now 
attending Purdue University. The youngest daughter of the family is Cath- 
erine, who is in her first year at the State University at Bloomington. 

Mr. West is a member of that time-honored body of Free and Accepted 
Masons, holding his membership in the Oakland City lodge. He has also 
attained the York Rite or Knights Templar degree of Masonry and is a mem- 
ber of the Eastern Star. The religious sympathies of the family are with the 
Methodist Episcopal church, of which Mr. West is a member of the Oakland 
City church. Mr. West comes of a family the different members of which 
have served their community to the best of their ability in their different 
davs and he and his brothers have done much to advance business interests 
along safe and conservative lines. One of the brothers, John A., was treas- 
urer of Gibson county at one time. William E. W'est is a self-made man in 
the true sense of the term and his keen business judgment coupled with right 
principles have made him a man highly esteemed by all with whom he comes 
in contact. He stands as one of the best types of the modern man, clean 
and strong, and an incentive to young men on the threshold of life. 



JOHN E. BUTLER. 



In 1859 a charitable society in New York city, a part of whose mission 
was to find homes for homeless children, sent about two hundred of the home- 
less waifs under their charge to Indiana, a number of them coming to Prince- 
ton. Among this number was a mite of a boy of about nine years of age 
whose full name was John Edward Butler, but as that appeared to be too 
much of a name for so small a boy, they called him "Johnny Butler." Johnny 
found a home in Princeton, and, as the years passed, he increased somewhat 
in size and stature, but he never increased to such an extent as to outgrow his 
boyhood name. Even in the mature years of manhood his old Princeton 
friends, and his army associates, know him only as "Johnny Butler," and they 
prefer to call him by that name. So in this personal sketch, in conformity 
with the practice of his old-time friends, we will call him by the name by 
which he is best known. 




A A // 



.yj„//,r 



GIBSON COUNTY, INDIANA. |< > I 

Johnny Butler was born in Galway, Ireland, August 8, 1850, a son of 
Mark and Catherine Butler. There is no definite information as to the time 
his parents came to America, or as to their life history. It is only known that 
Johnny Butler was cast adrift in the city of New York and became a street 
waif, and that he was picked up and sent to a charitable institution on Ran- 
dall's Island, an institution under the management of the department of 
charity and correction. Here he remained for about two years, receiving 
such instruction and training as was given by that institution, then under the 
superintendency of Mr. Ripley. That there was some fond attachment 
formed for this institution, his only childhood home, is evidenced by a desire 
to revisit the place in after years. This visit was made a few years ago. But 
he found that time had made many changes and there was very little to remind 
him of the scenes of boyhood days. In the office Johnny Butler found in the 
record kept there one item of interest. It was a record of his name with the 
memorandum : "Was found on the streets of New York city in the year 1857, 
about seven years of age. In 1859 was sent to Princeton, Indiana, where he 
found a home with Mr. M. I. Brad) . The last heard of him he was going to 
school." 

But that was not the last that has been heard from Johnny Butler. When 
the war of the Rebellion came, and President Lincoln called for volunteers, 
Johnny Butler was among the first to offer his services. He enlisted April 19. 
1861, as drummer boy, in the first company that was made up in Princeton, 
although at that time he was less than eleven years of age. This company 
was enlisted for three months' service, but was not accepted because the quota 
for this state was full. A few months later Johnny Butler found service with 
the Seventeenth Indiana Company, that was enlisted in Princeton for the 
three-year service. He served as drummer boy in this regiment for several 
months and was honorably discharged 1>\ reason of a general order oi the war 
department, mustering out all regimental hands. In [864 he re-enlisted in 
the One Hundred and Twentieth Indiana Regiment and served until January 
8, 1866, when he was honorably discharged. 

After his army service he attended the public schools in Princeton and 
Owensville, and took a course in a business college at Vincennes. His ambi- 
tion was to acquire an education sufficient to fit him for business, and his suc- 
cess in business in after life is evidence that he wisely improved every educa- 
tonal opportunity afforded him. 

After employment in various business enterprises he was attracted to 
(26) 



402 GIBSON COUNTY, INDIANA. 

prospects in the Pennsylvania oil fields and he determined to try his fortune 
there. Here he found favorable opportunity for the employment of his 
capital, which consisted largely of industry and push. He became identified 
with the oil industry of Pennsylvania and made investments in that line which 
proved to be highly remunerative. That there are ups and downs in the oil 
industry is the experience of every one who has engaged in it, and Johnny 
Butler's experience is not an exception. But his careful and conservative 
business judgment has enabled him to make a good showing on the profit side 
of the ledger in the several years lie has. been engaged in the business. At 
present he is president of the Butler Oil Company, and also president of The 
Marvin Manufacturing Company, producing and manufacturing lubricating 
oils and greases, at Franklin. Pennsylvania, where his home has been for 
several years. In that community, and wherever known, he is regarded as a 
man reliable and trustworthy, and it is to these traits of character that his 
success in life is due. 

This sketch of Johnny Butler is not given for his personal gratification 
and aggrandizement. It is rather under protest and against his wish that any 
publicity regarding his life is given. But there is a lesson in such a life that 
is worth reading. For one to begin life as a street waif, in New York city, 
without home, kindred or friends, and to work his way to a place among 
successful and respected business men, is a life worthy of emulation. It 
happily illustrates the possibilities of a successful life, open to every boy, 
under the benign influences and advantages of our American institutions, even 
though the early environments are most unfavorable. 



HON. SIMON L. VANDEVEER. 

Simon L. Yandeveer, who is filling with ability and satisfaction the 
position of judge of the sixty-sixth judicial circuit, is a native son of In- 
diana, having been born on a farm near English, Crawford county, on 
October 26, t868. His parents. Joel and Jemima A. (Monk) Vandeveer, 
who are both now deceased, were both also natives of this state, the father 
having been for many years a successful practicing physician in Crawford 
county, where he was widely known and highly respected, not only because 
of his professional success, but also for his high personal character. 

Simon L. Yandeveer received his elementary education in the common 



GIBSON I'll \TY, INDIANA. 4O3 

schools of Crawford county, supplementing this by attendance at Man 

Marengo, Indiana, and Borden [nstitute, in Clark count}', both 
being excellent educational institutions. During this educational period he 
taught in the public schools of Ins native county for several term-. Having 
entertained an ambition to take up the practice of law as his life work, Sin 
L. Vandeveer entered the law office of Jern L. Suddarth, at 1 .. rth, 

which was at that time the county seat of < raw ford county, being thus em- 
ployed for four years. During this same period his brother, John M. Van 

r, was studying law at New Albany in the office of Charles L. Jewett, and 
alter completing their studies and being admitted to' the bar, the brothers 
i to ( Jakland ( it\ , ( libson county, opening a law office here on ] (ecember 
2 |, 1891. There, under the firm name of J. M. & S. L. Vandeveer, they con- 
tinued in the practice for four years, proving themselves able and trustworthy 
attorneys and attaining a high standing at the (iibson county bar. On Jan- 
uary 1, 1895. Simon L. Vandeveer came to Princeton and the law firm of 
J. X. & S. L. Vandeveer from that time forward was one of the best known 
and most successful in this section of the state. The subject was, in Febru- 
ary of 1913, appointed judge' of the sixiy-sixth judicial circuit and is the 
present incumbent of that position. In the active practice of law Judge Van- 
deveer stood admittedly in the front rank of his profession in this county, 
being one of the most successful lawyers before the local bar. In his present 
position his career has been all that his previous record promised. llis 
qualifications for the office of judge are unquestionable. hirst of all. he 
has the integrity of character, and then he possesses the natural ability and 
essential requirements, the acumen of the judicial temperament. IT 1- able 
to divest himself of prejudice or favoritism and consider only the legal as 
pects of a question submitted. These are. indeed, words ,,|" praise, but the 
encomium is justified, for the Judge has proved himself a man in all the t« 
implies, and its implication is wide. Ills career on the bench and at the hat- 
offers a noble example ami an inspiration, while he has never been known to 
fail in that strict courtes) and regard for professional ethics which should 
ever characterize the members of the bar, his career reflecting credit u] 
the judiciary and dignifying the profession to which he belongs. Judge 
Vandeveer is an active member of the Si ate Bar Association and in that 
society is a member of the committee on legal education and admission to the 
bar of the State Bar Association. 

Politicallv, Judge Vandeveer gives his support to the Democratic party, 
to the success of which he has contributed by his personal efforts and being 



4O4 GIBSON COUNTY, INDIANA. 

prominent in its councils. Fraternally, he is a member of the Independent 
Order of Odd Fellows, and the Benevolent and Protective Order of Elks, 
being a charter member of the last-named lodge at Princeton. Religiously, 
he is a member of the Presbyterian church and gives his earnest support to 
every movement looking to the advancement of the highest and best interests 
of his fellows. 

On March t8, [895, Simon L. Vandeveer was married to Mary Cas- 
tetter, a daughter of Ira and Florence (Jackson) Castetter, former residents 
of Gibson county, but now residing in Indianapolis, Indiana. 

Personally, Judge Vandeveer is genial and easily approached, pos- 
sessing to a marked degree those qualities which win and retain friendships. 
He has been successful in his life work, respected in social life and as a 
neighbor he has discharged bis duties in a manner becoming a liberal-minded, 
intelligent citizen of the community honored by his citizenship. 



WILLIAM W. BLAIR, M. D. 

It is with pleasure that the biographer has an opportunity to place 
before the readers of this work the life record of the honorable man and 
physician whose name initiates this paragraph. A history of Gibson county 
would be wholly incomplete should there be failure to include one who has 
passed so many years of usefulness in the community, the influence of whose 
upright life cannot be estimated. There is no outsider so closely admitted 
to the love and confidence of a family as the trusted and faithful physician. 
There is no form of service higher tban a heartfelt desire to relieve suffering 
humanity, and when a physician goes deeper in his diagnoses than mere 
bodily ills, and treats also moral and spiritual weaknesses, the result is a 
must beautiful life, the whole effect of which cannot be adjudged from any 
earthly viewpoint. 

Dr. William W. Blair was born at Bloomington, Monroe county, In- 
diana, on August 6, 1827, the son of James and Jane (Neil) Blair, both of 
whom were natives of South Carolina. The father was born in 17S9 and 
died March 26, 1849, and the mother's death occurred April 5, 1854, in the 
seventy-fourth year of her age. 

Doctor Blair's father followed the vocation of farming all his life. In 
the year 1816 he left South Carolina with his little family and settled in 



GIBSON COUNTY, INDIANA. 4O5 

Tennessee, where they remained until iS-'S. at which time he brought them 
on to Bloomington, Indiana, where he lived until his death. Doctor Blair is 
the last remaining member of a family of six children, being the youngest of 
the family. His elementary education was received in Bloomington, where 
he later attended the State University in 1844-48. He received special train- 
ing in his chosen profession at the Ohio Medical College in Cincinnati, 
Ohio, from which he was graduated March 7, 1850. He had previousl) 
decided upon Princeton as the field for his future labors, and arrived here 
May 15th after his graduation. He immediately took up his practice and 
has been here ever since, excepting the time later spent at the front during 
the Civil war. On October 19, 1861, he was commissioned surgeon of the 
Fifty-eighth Regiment Indiana Volunteer [nfantry and on .August 8, 1862. 
was made medical director of Gen. T. J. Wood's division. Returning home 
in the summer of 18C4, he resumed his practice here, which has since been 
uninterrupted. 

On October 7, 185 1, Doctor Blair was united in marriage to Margaret 
Warnock, who was born in Ireland. Mrs. Blair's death occurred January 
20, 1887. To their union were born seven children: Hetty, wife of Dr. 
S. F. Gilmore, of Indianapolis; Isabelle, of Princeton; Marie, also at home; 
Dr. Frank Blair, who died Ma) 11, 1907: Nellie, who died < >ctober 7. 1N86; 
Archibald W., who died July 17. 1909, and William, resident in Princeton. 

Doctor Blair has the distinction of being the oldest physician in Gibson 
county and one of the oldest in the slate. Princeton was but a small village, 
with a population of seven hundred and fifty, when the Doctor first came 
here, and it is difficult for one of a younger generation to appreciate the 
changes and improvements which tunc has brought to pass. The physician 
of today, who makes his calls in his automobile, ever excellent country roa< 
can have no conception of the hardships endured by a physician of the old 
school who went his way on horseback, along roads which were often 

scarcely more than a dim path through the w Is, fording .streams, wading 

swamps and suffering much personal discomfort in order (m traverse the 
many miles which sometimes separated him from a suffering mortal. It was 
his untiring faithfulness through those earlier days, as well as Ins equal at- 
tention through the years when modern improvements made his task an 
easier one, that has made a place for Doctor Blair in the hearts of all those 
with whom he lias come 111 contact during his long fie. In the early days 
Doctor Blair prepared his own medicines from the crude drugs, an arduous 
task which is no longer necessary. 



406 GIBSON COUNTY, INDIANA. 

Doctor Blair has been a life-long and consistent member of the United 
Presbyterian church and enjuys the unique distinction of having served as 
an elder since February 14, 1856. Politically, he is identified with the Re- 
publican party, and while he has always taken a keen interest in politics, he 
has never entertained any ambitions along that line. He is also a member 
of the honored Grand Army of the Republic. While he has always made 
his home in Princeton, he is the owner of a farm nearby and has other landed 
interests. 

In this necessarily brief sketch, it is absolutely impossible to do justice 
to the life history of such a man. lie holds the admiration of all, counts his 
friends in great numbers, and surely no higher tribute can be paid him. 
Right principles of heart and mind, untiring energy and indomitable will 
have made the life of Doctor Clair a worthy incentive to those who have 
chosen the practice of medicine as their life work. 



JOSEPH P. YOCHUM. 

The office of biography is not to give voice to a man's modest opinion 
of himself and his accomplishments, but rather to leave upon the record the 
verdict establishing his character by the consensus of opinion on the part of 
his neighbors and fellow citizens. In touching upon the life history of the 
subject of this sketch the writer aims to avoid fulsome encomium and ex- 
travagant praise; yet he desires to hold up for consideration those facts 
which have shown the distinction of a true, useful and honorable life — a life 
characterized by perseverance, energy, broad charity and well-defined pur- 
pose. "In do this will be but to reiterate the dictum pronounced upon the 
man by the people who have known him long and well. 

Joseph P. Yochum was born November S, 1S59. in Patoka township, 
Gibson county, Indiana, south of Princeton, the son of John and Barbara 
(Huffmann) Yochum, natives of the fatherland, they having been born in 
the city of Munich. 

The mother of the subject was the daughter of Frank and Mary ( Beal) 
Huffmann, who came to America in 1852 and settled near King's Station, in 
Patoka township, where the father, in addition to farming, conducted a store 

Si 

and followed his trade of tailoring. These parents were of the Catholic 
faith, the father dying in Fort Branch in his sixtv-sixth year and the mother 
reaching the extreme age of ninety. 



GIBSON COUNTY, INDIANA. 407 

John Yochum, the subject's father, came alone to America in 1849 alia 
first lived in Cincinnati, Ohio, where he learned the wagonmaker's trade, 
following this vocation in the Queen City for three years, when he removed 
to Gibson county and located three miles south of Princeton on the State 
road, where he erected a shop and followed his trade until his retirement; he 
also engaging to some extent in farming. He died in 1895 and his widow 
removed to Princeton, where she now resides, she being a woman of great 
intelligence and remarkable memory. 

To the subject's parents were born nine children, namely : Frank, now 
deceased, lived in Patoka township and married Indiana Arbuthnot, now 
also deceased. He was a farmer nearly all his life, but for many years was 
bookkeeper for the R. P. Moore Milling Company, of Princeton. He was 
the father of five children, Carl, Edith, Florence, Floyd and Frank; Joseph 
1'.; August, William, Henry and John are deceased; Charles is a bugg) 
manufacturer in Cincinnati; John is cashier of the American National Bank 
at Princeton and married Jessie Witherspoon; Annie Mary is the wife of 
Elza Wilkinson, of Princeton. 

The subject received a common school education and lived at home until 
[882, when he was united in marriage to Maggie Nestler, of Gibson count), 
the daughter of Casper and Frances Nestler, of Germany, who were early 
settlers in this community, where they spent the rest of their lives. 

To the parents of the subject's wife were born four children, namely: 
Nicholas, deceased, was a saddler and Jived at Fort Branch; Frank, also 
deceased, was engaged in the hardware business at Fort Branch; Maggie; 
Peter, deceased, was a saddler at Fort Branch. 

To Mr. Yochum and his wife have been born four children, namely: 
Amy M. lives at home; Ada is the wife of Carl Mangrum, of Princeton; 
Lora and Esther are living at home. Amy and Lora graduated from the 
Princeton high school and then took up a course of training for the teacher's 
profession; Amy is attending Valparaiso University and Lora i-> at the State 
Normal School at Terre Flaute. Both are now teaching, Amy in the Prince- 
ton schools and Lora in the high school at Haubstadt. 

After the subject's marriage he engaged in agricultural pursuits three 
and a half miles southeast of Princeton, where he continued until August, 
1906, when he purchased his beautiful home in Princeton. Here he has a 
line residence at No. 528 East Broadway, which he has remodeled and made 
modern in every respect. 

Mr. Yochum has been a great lover of the best blooded stock and has 



408 GIBSON COUNTY, INDIANA. 

devoted much of his attention to the breeding of fine registered horses, Poland 
China hogs, Barred Plymouth Rock chickens and Mammoth Bronze turkeys. 
His farm comprises one hundred and sixty acres in Patoka township. 

The subject has taken an active interest in the success of the Democratic 
party and served for six years as county commissioner, in which office he 
acquitted himself to the eminent satisfaction of his fellow citizens. Under 
the recently enacted law he has been appointed county superintendent of 
highways. Fraternally, he is an appreciative member of the Independent 
Order of Odd Fellows, Lodge No. 64. of Princeton, while his religious affil- 
iations are with the Cumberland Presbyterian church. 



JAMES A. S PROWL. 



An enumeration of those men of the present generation who have won 
honor and public recognition for themselves, and at the same time have hon- 
ored the locality to which they belong, would be incomplete were there fail- 
ure to make specific mention of him whose name forms the caption of this 
sketch. The qualities which have made him one of the prominent and suc- 
cessful men of Gibson county have also brought him the esteem of his fellow 
men, for his career has been one of well directed energy, strong determination 
and honorable methods. 

James A. Sprowl is a native son of the Hoosier state, having been 
born about four and one-half miles east of Princeton, on July 28, 1840, and 
is the son of John O. and Margaret (McClellan) Sprowl, the former a native 
of Chester, South Carolina, and the latter of Greene county, Ohio. The 
subject's paternal grandfather. John Sprowl, was a native of Ireland who, 
after emigrating to the United States, located in South Carolina, where he 
remained until his marriage, when, about 1831, he came to Gibson county, 
settling in the Stormont neighborhood, about four miles east of Princeton, 
where he entered a tract of government land. He married Miss Orr, and 
to them were born nine children, six daughters and three sons, of whom the 
father of this subject was the oldest. Here John Sprowl remained until his 
death, which occurred in 1844. John O., father of the subject of this sketch, 
died August 6, 1841, when his son. James Y. was about a year old. His 
widow afterwards became the wife of James Wilson and reared another 
familv of children. 




JAMES A. SPROWL. 



GIBSON COUNTY, INDIANA. |<«j 

The subject had two sisters, Rose Aim, who became the wife of A. J. 
Gillespie, of Monroe county, Indiana, and they moved to Kansas, where she 
reared a family of children. Joan became the wife of Thompson Spencer, 
and at her. death left one child, Ann, who became the wile of Harry Mc- 
Clellan, of Dayton, Ohio. The subject also has a half-brother, Joseph S. 
Wilson, of Santa Rosa, California. 

James A. Sprowl received his education in the country schools of his 
home community and was reared on the paternal farmstead under the direc- 
tion of his money, until in i86r, when about twenty-one years of age, fired by 
his country's call for defenders, he enlisted in Company B, Fifty-eighth Regi- 
ment Indiana Volunteer Infantry, in which he served valiantly ami faithfully, 
re-enlisting in 1865 in the One Hundred Forty-third Regiment and serving 
until the close of the war. His record was a good one and one of which he 
is deservedly proud. Upon his return to the pursuits of peace Air. Sprowl 
devoted himself to agricultural labor until [873, when he removed to Prince- 
ton in order to give his children better educational advantages. In 1875 he 
was elected constable, serving at that six years, and at the end of that time he 
was appointed deputy sheriff, in which position he rendered efficient and satis- 
factory service for two terms, or eight years. In 1890 Mr. Sprowl was elected 
justice of the peace, in which office he has been continued by re-election until 
the present time. His record has been an enviable one, his decisions being 
marked by a sense of fairness and justice which has commended him to the 
higher courts of the county. A wide reader and keen observer of men and 
events, Mr. Sprowl is a well-informed man. keeping in close touch with cur- 
rent events and is well founded in the fundamental principles of juris- 
prudence. Congenial and unassuming, he has won a host of warm and loyal 
personal friends who esteem him highly because oi his high character and 
genuine worth. 

In 1867 Tames A. Sprowl was married to Martha 1.. Crow, who was 
born and reared in Gibson county, and to them have been born eight children, 
namely : John O.. of Cleveland, Ohio; Carrie, the wife of \Y. J. Schumat, 1 if 
Princeton; George N., of Princeton; Charles, of Pausing. .Michigan; Nellie 
Margaret, the wife of Plwood Lichtenberger, of Alt. Vernon, Indiana: J. 
\ivh of Princeton, and Roy and Arthur, who are deceased. 

Politically, Mr. Sprowl has given his life-long supporl to the Republican 
partv and has been active in the ranks in his efforts to advance the interests 
of the organization. Politically, he is a member of die Grand \rmy of the 
Republic, while his religious affiliation is with the United Presbyterian 



4 j O GIBSON COUNTY, INDIANA. 

church. His lite-long residence in Gibson county, his upright life and mature 
judgment and the many favors which he has rendered have won for him the 
confidence and esteem of the people with whom he has so long mingled. He 
is imbued with the deepest and most helpful public spirit and is well fortified 
in his opinions on matters of public policy, giving of his best to the furthering 
of good government and being neglectful of no civic duty. 



WILBUR F. FISHER. 



The men most influential in promoting the advancement of society and 
in giving character to the times in which they live are two classes, to-wit, 
the men of study and the men of action. Whether we are more indebted for 
the improvement of the age to the one class or to the other is a question of 
honest difference in opinion ; neither class can be spared and both should be 
encouraged to occupy their several spheres of labor and influence, zealously 
and without mutual distrust. In the following paragraphs are briefly out- 
lined the leading facts and characteristics in the career of a gentleman who 
combines in his makeup the elements of the scholar and the energy of the 
public-spirited man of affairs. Devoted to the noble and humane work of 
teaching, he has made his influence felt in the school life of Gibson county 
and is not unknown to the wider educational circles of the state, occupying, 
as he does, a prominent place in his profession and standing high in the 
esteem of educators in other than his own particular field of endeavor. 

Wilbur F. Fisher, superintendent of the schools of Gibson county, was 
born on July 21, 1876, at Patoka. this county, and is the son of John B. and 
Sarah Jennie (Marsh) Fisher, the father a native of Patoka and the mother 
of Mt. Carmel, Illinois. Both are now deceased. John B. Fisher was a 
farmer by vocation, and was a veteran of the Civil war. having served for 
thirty-nine months in the Seventeenth Regiment Indiana Volunteer Infantry. 
He took part in the great battle of Chickamauga, and many others of almost 
ecmal prominence, and was with Sherman on his celebrated march to the sea 
and at the fall of Atlanta. He was a man of prominence in his community 
and served efficiently as a justice of the peace. His death occurred on 
November 1, 1910, having survived his wife a number of years, her death 
having occurred on March 26, 1883. They were the parents of the following 
children, Carrie, Herbert, Harry, deceased, Ralph, Roy, deceased, Wilbur, 
Henry and Chester, deceased. 



GIBSON COUNTY, INDIANA. 4 1 1 

Wilbur F. Fisher received his education in the common and the high 
schools of Patoka, and then was a student in Indiana University, lie had 
taught some before entering the university, and alter attending that institu- 
tion he took up pedagogical work, in which he has during the subsequent 
years achieved a pronounced success, being numbered among the leading 
educators of southwestern Indiana. His work embraces six years in the 
common schools in White River township, this county, and ten years in high 
school work, four years as superintendent at Hazleton, Indiana, and six 
years as superintendent at Patoka. While incumbent of the latter position, 
Mr. Fisher was elected count}' superintendent of schools on June 5, 191 1, and 
is the present incumbent of this position. As a teacher. Professor Fisher met 
with merited success and in his capacity as principal of schools he has met 
with a series of successes and advancements. He pursues his present calling 
with all the interest of an enthusiast, is thoroughly in harmony with the spirit 
of the work, and has the proper conception of the dignity of the profession 
to which his life and energies are so earnestly devoted. As superintendent 
of schools, his work has been characterized by greater efficiency and closer 
grading in the schools. He has done much to raise the general standing of 
education and scholarship in Gibson count)', and his work stamps him as a 
man of unusual ability. A polished gentleman and possessing the traits of 
character necessary to insure success, the services thus far rendered bespeak 
for him a wider and more distinguished career of usefulness in years to 
come. Unlike so many of his calling who become narrow and pedantic, the 
Professor is distinctly a man of the times, broad and liberal in his views, and 
has the courage of his convictions on the leading public questions and issues 
upon which men and parties divide. He also keeps in touch with the trend 
of modern thought along its various lines and, being a man of scholarly and 
refined tastes, is acquainted with the literature of the world in general, while 
his familiarity with the more practical affairs of the day makes him feel at 
ease with all classes and conditions of people whom he may meet. Deeply 
interested in the work to which his life is devoted, Professor Fisher lias not 
been unmindful of his duties as a citizen, ami to this end takes an active part 
in public matters and lends his influence and support to all matters having for 
their object the advancement of the city and the intellectual and mural good 
of the people. 

Wilbur F. Fisher was married October 25. t<)o", to I'.e^sie Spain, who 
was born near Hazleton, Indiana, the daughter of Byron S. Spain, a promi- 
nent citizen of that community, and to this union has been born one child. 



412 GIBSON COUNTY, INDIANA. 

Jennie Louise. Religiously, Professor Fisher is a member of the Presbyter- 
ian church, while, fraternally, he is a member of the Free and Accepted 
Masons. . He is a Democrat of the Bryan type and takes a deep interest in 
the success of his party. Personally, Professor Fisher is a popular man, 
possessing to a marked degre the characteristics which win and retain warm 
friendships. He is a member of one of the old pioneer families of Gibson 
county, his paternal grandfather, Jonathan Fisher, being one of the first 
settlers of Patoka, and here the family early became prominent and in- 
fluential in local affairs. Jonathan Fisher engaged extensively in the pork 
packing business and ran a flat boat down the Mississippi river to New 
Orleans, Professor Fisher's father assisting him in this work. He married 
Polly Milburn and reared a family of eight children. From such sterling 
stock, the subject of this sketch inherited qualities which have enabled him 
to gain success, namely, perseverance, industry, and the strictest ideals of 
integrity and honesty. By his kindness and courtesy he has won an abiding 
place in the esteem of his fellow citizens and by his intelligence, energy and 
abiding spirit has made his influence felt among his associates during his 
residence in this county, and as a result occupies no small place in the esteem 
of the public. 



JUDGE WILLIAM M. LAND. 

Judge William M. Land, at the time of his death on April 19, 
1904, was the Nestor of the Princeton bar and one of the most prominent 
jurists in southern Indiana, lie was born in Johnson township, Gibson 
county, Indiana, August 28, 1827, making His age at death nearly seventy- 
seven years. He was a son of Abraham and Sarah Ann ( Fdwards) Land. 
Mis grandfather was a colonel in the Colonial army during the war of the 
Revolution. His father was a soldier in the war of 1812. Abraham Land 
was a South Carolinian, but married in Tennessee and came to live in Gibson 
county, near Fort Branch, in 1827. To this union were born four sons nad 
four daughters. Judge Land being the oldest of these children. The father 
was a cooper by trade, but became the pioneer miller of Gibson county, de- 
voting his time to milling, although he lived on a farm. He served for 
many vears as a justice of the peace and was held in high regard. His death 
occurred in 1S44, and his wife followed him in 1864. 

William M. Land began his education in a log school house and in his 



GIBSON COUNTY, [NDIANA. 4 I 3 

youth attended the schools of his neighborhood. At the age of twenty, in 
January, 1S48, he enlisted for service in the Mexican war as a member of 
Company I, Fourteenth United States Infantry, continuing with this com- 
mand until honorably discharged in August, [848. Returning home, he at- 
tended school for a time and then engaged in leaching for twelve years. 
The oldest of eight children, he assumed the management of the farm and 
was the mainstay of the family until the children grew to maturity. While 
quite young, Judge Land was called upon to serve in positions of public 
trust. From 1853 until i860 he served successively as township assessor, 
county commissioner and township trustee, and while acting as trustee he 
erected the first frame school house in the township. 

Shortly after returning from the Mexican war he took up the study of 
law, devoting spare hours In a diligent reading of Blackstone. He was ad- 
mitted to the Gibson county bar in February, 1857. and was the oldest living 
member up to the time of his death, in 1864 he moved to Princeton so he 
might engage more extensivelj in the practice of his profession. His ability, 
honesty and constant application resulted in a most successful career. He 
had a comprehensive knowledge and understanding of the science of juris- 
prudence, and his argument of a case rested more on the clear, decisive 
truth and logic than upon oratorical effects. He was always devoted to his 
clients' interests and went to the depth of ever) legal point at issue. Al- 
though years crept upon him, his disposition for work and activity made it a 
pleasure to continue the practice until the time came when physical ailments 
precluded a further pursuit of business. During his career no less than nine 
or ten of the Princeton attorneys read law in his office. 

Judge Land served as deputy district attorney, also as attorney for the 
city of Princeton. He became a member of the board of education in 1868 
and during his term the first brick school house in Princeton was erected. In 
July, 187J, he was appointed to fill the unexpired term as judge of the 
common pleas court for the first district of Indiana, composed of the coun- 
ties of Gibson, Yanderburg, Posey and Warrick. On different occasions 
he served as special judge of the circuit courts of the above mentioned coun- 
ties, and acted as judge of the superior court of Vanderburg count}. I 
cases tried under him were ever appealed and not one reversed by a higher 
court. This record indicates hi- superior ability as a jurist and his success- 
ful career in the field of law. 

fudge Land was married in 1850 to Sarah E. I. Harmon, of Posey 



414 GIBSON COUNTY, INDIANA. 

county, who died in 1888, and to this union there were born six children, of 
whom the following survived their father: Oma, the wife of James B. 
Gamble, who is represented elsewhere in this work: Marion, Henry, Jessie 
and George. 

Judge Land was a public-spirited citizen and encouraged public enter- 
prise. He was especially interested in educational matters and aided much 
in the advancement of school interests in the city and county. In 186S he 
became a member of the Independent Order of Odd Fellows and took a deep 
interest in this order. In the order he held many high places and was a past 
grand. 

During his life Judge Land was a member of three political parties. 
He voted with the Democracy early in life, but was a Republican from 1862 
until 1884, when he took up the Prohibition cause and became a leader in the 
ranks of that party. He was earnest in the cause of temperance and his 
advocacy was fraught with much good for the cause he espoused. 

Judge Land recognized in the worship of God a privileged dutv of man 
and his life was lived along lines consistent with Christianity. He was a 
faithful member of the General Baptist church at Enon. 

Judge Land was of literary bent, although this phase of his life was 
not as publicly known as was his ability a- a lawyer and jurist. He possessed 
one of the largest libraries in the county and he was never so happy as when 
among his books. Among his man}' talents was that of verse writing, and 
his productions in verse are meritorious and deserve a wide circulation. 
Lhese poems were carefully typewritten on pages of uniform size and col- 
lected in two books. The title of one. "Voyage to Waterloo, and Other 
Poems;" the other he called "The White Stone King." and other poems. 
The poems are on varied subjects and the genius of the author has given 
them a smoothness in style and a depth of thought which mark their ex- 
cellence. 

In the death of Judge Land. Gibson county lost an eminently useful 
man. He had ability and. what was more important, the disposition to use 
it at all times for the advancement of good morals and right principles. As 
a Christian gentleman, he was a model for the rising generation, and as a 
public-spirited citizen he had few peers in the community. There was in 
him a weight of character, a native sagacity, a far-seeing judgment and a 
fidelity of purpose that commanded the respect of all, but greater than these 
was his unswerving integrity, and "an honest man is the noblest work of 
God." 



GIBSON COUNTY, INDIANA. 4 J 5 

HARVEY MILBURN. 

Specific mention is made in the following paragraphs of one of the 
worthy citizen.- of Gibson county, Indiana, one who has figured in the growth 
and development of the educational and financial interests of this favored 
locality, and whose interests have been identified with its progress, con- 
tributing in a definite measure in his particular spheres of action to the well- 
being of the community in which he resides and to the advancement of its 
normal and legitimate growth. Earnest purpose and tireless energy, com- 
bined with mature judgment and every-day common sense, have been among 
his most prominent characteristics and he has merited the respect and esteem 
which are accorded him by all who know him. 

Harvey Milburn was born August 3, 1870, in Linens county. Missouri, 
the son of Augustus and Isabelle ( Devin) Milburn. The father was born in 
Indiana, where he spent his life in farming in Gibson county, his death oc- 
curring there on August 2, 1009. The mother died on November 2, 1889. 
To the parents of the subject five children were born, namely: Preston is 
engaged in the general mercantile business and lives in Patoka : Alex D. is 
deceased; Harvey; Sue married Oscar Witherspoon, a fanner of Gib 
county; Alary married D. R. Trippet. a lumberman, and lives in Memphis, 
Tennessee. Augustus Milburn was allied politically with the Republican 
party, but never aspired to public office. 

A thorough education was granted Harvey Milburn. the subject of this 
biographical review. He attended the common schools, then graduated from 
the high school at Patoka. and took the course in teacher training, supple- 
menting this with a course in the State University at Bloomington, Indiana. 
At the conclusion of his studies he engaged in the profession of an educator, 
teaching in the schools of Gibson county for fifteen years and was principal 
of the Si »uth school fi >r seven years. 

On May 28. 1906. Mr. Milburn forsook pedagogical pursuits and 
tered the American National Bank as assistant cashier, which position h 
yet filling in a praiseworthy manner, his genial personality and accommo- 
dating manners having won for him a wide circle of friends and been of in- 
estimable value to the institution which he so capablv sen 

T11 December, 1898. the subject of this review was married to Ethel 
May Witherspoomi. daughter of James C. and Fanny (King) Witherspoon. 
The father, who died in February, tqio, was an old settler in Gibson county. 
where he engaged in agriculture all his days. To the subject and wife have 



416 GIBSON COUNTY, INDIANA. 

been born two children, Isabelle, living at home, and Lucile. who died in her 
seventh year, on. October 30, 1909. 

The Republican party has constantly claimed Mr. Milburn's suffrage, 
while, fraternally, he is an earnest and appreciative member of the Masonic 
order. A worthy member of the First Presbyterian church, Mr. Milburn 
takes a deep interest in its welfare and contributes liberally to its support. 

Personally, the subject is a man whom it is a pleasure to meet, jovial, 
agreeable, hospitable and a well informed man. The Milburn family bears 
an excellent reputation throughout the count} ami takes first rank in the 
citizenship of this favored section of the Hoosier state. 



' DAVID INGLE, SR. 



Indiana has been especially honored in the character and career of her 
active men of industry. In every section have been found men born to 
leadership in the various vocations, men who have dominated because of their 
superior intelligence, natural endowment and force of character. It is always 
profitable to study such lives, weigh their motives and hold up their achieve- 
ments as incentives to greater activity and higher excellence on the part of 
others. These reflections are suggested by the career of one who forged his 
way to the front ranks of the favored few, and who, by a strong inherent 
force and superior business ability, directed and controlled by intelligence and 
judgment of a high order, stood for over a quarter of a century one of the 
leading men of his section of the state. No citizen in southwestern Indiana 
achieved more honorable mention or occupied a more conspicuous place in the 
public eye than David Ingle, Sr., whose earthly career is ended, but whose in- 
fluence still pervades the lives of men, the good which he did having been too 
far-reaching to be measured in metes and bounds. In this age of colossal 
enterprise and marked intellectual energy, the prominent and successful men 
are those whose ambition and abilities lead them into large undertakings and 
to assume the responsibilities and labors of their respective fields of endeavor. 
Success is methodical and consecutive and though the rise of Mr. Ingle may 
have seemed rapid, it will be found that his success was attained by the same 
normal methods and means — determined application of mental and physical 
resources along a rightly defined line. To offer in a work of this province 
an adequate resume of the career of this good man would be impossible, but, 




K/<Z^K ' " '; <V 



GIBSON COUNTY, INDIANA. 417 

with others of those who have conserved the civic and commercial progress 
of this section of Indiana, we may well note the more salient points that 
marked his life and labors. He was long a dominating power in public utilities 
as well as extensive private operations of a varied nature, lie achieved a 
position as a substantial capitalist, gaining his success through legitimate and 
worthy means and he stood as an admirable type of the self-made man. 

David tngle, Sr., was born on December 14, 1851, at Evansville, Indiana, 
and was a son of John and Isabella 1 Davidson) Ingle, the father a native of 
England and the mother of Scotland. The subject's paternal grandfather, 
John Ingle. Sr.. was postmaster at Inglelield, north of Evansville, under 
President Andrew Jackson. He was a successful farmer, well-known justice 
of the peace and a very prominent and influential man in his community. 
John Ingle, Jr., was a well-known lawyer in Evansville and was successful 
in many other enterprises, having built and surveyed the Evansville & Terre 
Haute railroad, of which corporation he became the first president. He re- 
mained a citizen of Evansville until his death, which occurred in 1875, at tne 
age of sixty-one years. David Ingle received only a public school education 
in the schools at Evansville and on leaving school he obtained employment in 
a hardware store in that city. A few years later he went to work for his 
father in the Ingleside mine, which was the oldest mine in Indiana, and which 
had been opened in 1850 by some members of the Ingle family, and which 
had evidently come into the possession of John Ingle. Jr. After leaving the 
mine David Ingle became freight agent for the Merchants Dispatch fast 
freight lines, and in this capacity became somewhat acquainted with the de- 
tails of railroad business. He was thus engaged until 1880, when he came 
to Oakland City and opened the old Tngleton coal mine just across the line 
in Pike county, and which at that time was the terminus of the railroad. The 
mine was a success from the start, though somewhat hampered in its opera- 
tions because of the fact that the railroad company could not supply cars fast 
enough to ship the product. lie was the pioneer in the coal industry in this 
section, and for manv Years operated this mine and then, going further east, 
opened other mines. He operated on a large scale on his own account, but in 
1890 he organized the Ayrshire Coal < ompany, which corporation branched 
out and opened and operated seven other plants, only two of which are now 
being operated, the others having been worked out. Of this company David 
Ingle was president up to the time of bis death, which occurred on October 
18, 1000. He did not confine his activities to this immediate locality, lint was 
heavily interested in other mines over the state, though be did not turn bis 
' (27) 



4l8 GIBSON COUNTY, INDIANA. 

attention to any extent into other lines of business. Strong mental powers, 
invincible courage and a determined purpose that hesitated at no opposition so 
entered into his composition as to render him a dominant factor in the busi- 
ness world and a leader of men. He was essentially a man of affairs, of sound 
judgment, keen discernment, rare acumen, far-seeing in what he undertook 
and the enterprises to which he addressed himself resulted in liberal financial 
returns, bis success in life being the legitimate fruitage of consecutive effort 
directed and controlled by good judgment and correct principles. 

Politically, David Ingle was a stanch supporter of the Republican party. 
but did not take a very active part in public affairs, his private business con- 
cerns demanding his undivided attention. Religiously, he was for many 
years a member of the Presbyterian church at Oakland City, being one of the 
prime movers in the erection of the present magnificent church building at 
Oakland City. He was for many years a member of the board of elders and 
treasurer of the church board. 

On February 2, 1875, David Ingle. Sr., was married to Fannie Burbank, 
the daughter of Bradford Burbank, of Fvansville. and to them were born the 
following children, David and William 1)., who are mentioned in later para- 
graphs of this sketch: Frances, the wife of William Bebb, who is a scientist 
and college professor in Chicago; [Catherine, the wife of M. K. Mitchell, also 
an educator in Chicago. Personally. Mr. Ingle was a man of great force of 
character and was usually found in the lead when any movement was on foot 
for the betterment of his community. In his business career, as well as his 
private life, no word of suspicion was ever breathed against him. His action-, 
were always the result of careful and conscientious thought, and when once 
convinced that he was right no suggestion of policy or personal profit could 
swerve him from the course decided upon. His career was rounded in its 
beautiful simplicity, for he did his full duty in all the relations of life and it is 
said today that no man in the county in which he lived enjoyed to a greater 
extent the affection and the confidence of the people more than did Mr. Ingle. 

David Ingle, Jr., who succeeded bis father as president of the Ayrshire 
Coal Company, was born on October 5, 1875, at Fvansville. Indiana, and 
received his education in the public and high school at Oakland City, sup- 
plementing his studies by a course in the Rose Polytechnic Institute at Terre 
1 1 ante, wdiere he was graduated in civil engineering in 1897. Then for a year 
he was employed in the engineering department of the Fvansville & Terre 
Haute railroad, at the end of which period he became associated with his 
father in the Ayrshire Coal Company, with which be has since been identified. 



GIBSON COUNTY, INDIANA. 419 

On October 5, [904, David [ngle, Jr., was married to Effie Hughes, the 
daughter of 1\. P. Hughes, a successful and well-known merchant of Evans 
ville, and to them has been born a son, David. Fraternally, Mr. [ngle is a 
member of the Masonic order, having attained the degree of Knight Templar 
and belonging to the commander) at Princeton. 

William D. Ingle, second son of David [ngle, Sr., received his education 
in the public schools and Ruse Polytechnic Institute, where lie graduated in 
1903 in the electrical engineering department. After completing his studies 
he became connected with the St. Louis Transit Company, with which he 
remained for about three years, and was then for four years in Evansville, 
where he had charge of the old Ingle mines. Since then he has been con- 
nected with the Ayrshire Coal Compam as secretary, and has been active in 
the management and advancement of this enterprise. 

()ti August 30. 1011. Mr Ingle married Grace Ross, the daughter of 
W. W. Ross, of Evansville, and to them have been horn two children. Will- 
iam and Kenneth. Religiously, Mr. Ingle is a member of the Presbyterian 
church, in which he is an elder and in the various activities of which he is 
deeply interested. 



GEORGE ( . IICUTON. 



It is proper to judge of the success of a man's life by the estimation in 
which he is held by his fellow citizens. They see him at work, in his family 
circle, in church, hear his views on public questions, observe the operation of 
Ins code of morals, witness how he conducts himself in all the relations oi 
society and civilization, and are therefore competent to judge of his merits 
and demerits. After a long course of years of such daily observation, it 
would be out of the question for his neighbors not to know the truth con- 
cerning his worth, for, as has been said, "actions speak louder than words." 
In this connection it is not too much to say that the subject of this -ketch. 
who has long since passed to his reward, passed a life of unusual honor, that 
he was industrious and had the confidence of all who had the pleasure of his 
friendship. 

George T. Burton was horn November 12, [833, in London. England, 
the son of Robert and Rosamond Burton, and died August 6, [909, in 
Princeton, Gibson county, Indiana. Robert Burton and children emigra 
to America when the subject was a boy and, in 18 (.6, settled in Gibson county. 



420 GIBSON COUNTY, INDIANA. 

Indiana, southeast of Princeton. Here they acquired one hundred and sixty 
acres of land, to which they subsequently added an additional tract of one 
hundred and twenty acres. The subject's mother died in England. Robert 
Burton was a piano tuner in England, but on his arrival in Gibson county he 
turned to agriculture, which he followed the rest of his days, his death oc- 
curring on the home farm. The four children of the subject's parents were : 
Robert, who died in Princeton; George C. ; Sarah married Jasper Heisy and 
both are now deceased; Lizzie died on September 5, 1913. 

George C. Burton had attended the common schools in London, Eng- 
land, before his parents brought him to America, and on his arrival here he 
lived with his father, helping in the work on the place and continuing the 
operation of the home farm after his father's death. In 1901 the subject 
retired from active agricultural life and moved to Princeton, where he spent 
the remainder of his days in peaceful and honorable retirement. 

On August 10, 1865, Mr. Burton was united in marriage with Nancy 
Geise, who was born in Indianapolis. Indiana, in 1846. a daughter of William 
and Mary (Groves) Geise. he a native of Germany and she of Ohio. The 
father of Mrs. Burton came to the United States when quite a young man 
and located in Indianapolis. He was a baker by trade. In 1852 he removed 
to Gibson county and secured a farm in Patoka township, which he operated 
until his death, in his sixtieth year. His wife passed to her reward at the 
age of seventy-three. The father was a Lutheran in his religious belief, 
while the mother belonged to the Baptists. To the parents of Mrs. Burton 
were born eight children, namely: Mary is the wife of Henry White and lives 
north of Princeton; Nancy, now Mrs. Burton; Sophia married Charles Heisz, 
of Patoka township; August, an expert machinist, lives at Oakland City, 
Indiana; William is a retired farmer at Princeton; Christina is the wife of 
Fred Hasselbrink, a farmer in Patoka township; Henrietta, deceased, was 
the wife of John Keifer; Lizzie is unmarried and lives in Indianapolis, In- 
diana. 

To the subject and wife were born seven children, as follows: Rosa- 
mond married Frank Stormont, proprietor of a moving picture show at 
Princeton; George married Ruth Milburn and is superintendent of a coal 
mine; Ronald is operating the old home place in Patoka township and mar- 
ried Nina Williams ; Jesse is a painter in Princeton and married Thursa 
McCullough ; Ralph married Susan Bremer and is employed by the Inde- 
pendent Telephone Company at Princeton; Mabel is the wife of Burt Mc- 
Cullough. a restaurant keeper in Princeton ; Harry, who is unmarried and 



GIBSON COUNTY, [NDIANA. 421 

lives at the home place, is a member of the (arm of Burton & Mason, painters 
and paper hangers. 

In his political belief, Mr. Burton gave his support to the Democratic 
party, while, fraternally, he was a charter member of the Independent < >rder 
of Odd Fellows, Lodge No. 64, at Princeton, in which he took an absorbing 
interest. For over fifty-three years he was one of the most active members of 
that body, being a regular attendant, rain or shine, and exemplifying in his 
daily life the beautiful and worthy precepts of that order. He had held all 
the offices in the lodge, being its secretary for many years, and was an at- 
tendant at many of the grand lodge sessions. At his funeral the ceremonies 
were conducted by lVis fraternal brothers and he was laid to rest in the Odd 
Fellows' cemetery at Princeton. 



WILLARD A. DILL. 



The gentleman to whom attention is directed in this review has at- 
tained pronounced prestige by reason of native and acquired ability, as also 
because of his prominence in official position and high standing in the 
domain of private citizenship. He takes a deep and abiding interest in 
everything pertaining to the material advancement of the town and town- 
ship and every enterprise intended to promote the advancement oi Gibson 
county is sure t 1 ivi his hearty support He is rated as one of the pro- 
gressive citizens of the community in which he lives and the high respect in 
which he is held by all classes of people is a deserving compliment to .an in- 
telligent, broad-minded and most worthy man. 

VVillard A. Dill, the presenl efficient assessor of Gibson county, was 
born on December i. 1871, in Columbia township, near Oakland City, this 
county, and is the son of William .\1. and Martha E. (Harper) Dill, the 
former a native of Tennessee and the latter of Missouri. William M. Dill 
came to Gibson county when about seven years old with his father, William 
Dill, who settled on a trad of land southwest of * )akland City, to the cultiva- 
tion of which he devoted his time. His son. William M., was also reared to 
the life of a farmer, but was also employed tor about eight years in the mill- 
ing business in Illinois. He was a man of industrious habits and splendid 
character, enjoying the respect of all who knew him, and his death occurred 
in November, 1913. His wife had died on July 13, iqoq. They were the 



4-22 GIBSON COUNTY, INDIANA. 

parents of ten children, of whom six are living, namely : William R., who 
is blind, lues with the subject of this sketch; Frank, of Evansville, Indiana; 
Willard A., the subject; Mrs. Sarah E. Peck, of Owensville, Indiana; Mrs. 
Louisa J. Whiting, of North Platte, Nebraska, and Mrs. Lulu Ellenbush, of 
Evansville, Indiana. 

Willard A. Dill was reared on a farm, receiving his education in the 
public schools of Patoka township, to which locality his parents had re- 
moved when he was about eight years old. After graduating from the 
common schools in 1892 he attended one term of school at Mt. Vernon, In- 
diana, and "lie at Cynthiana, and then went to Princeton Normal University, 
from which he graduated July 31. 1896. lie also attended one term at Oak- 
land City College. He then engaged in teaching school, in which he was 
successfully engaged up to 11)04, in all twelve years, achieving a splendid 
reputation as a teacher and enjoying the confidence alike of parent and pupils. 
In 1904 he was elected trustee of Patoka township by a majority of one 
thousand sixty, serving efficiently and satisfactorily in this position for four 
years. He then returned to teaching for two years, and in 19 10 he was 
elected county assessor on the Republican ticket, being one of two candidates 
of that political faith who were elected that year. The duties of the office 
of assessor are, of course, not exacting, but Mr. Dill has so far met the ex- 
pectations of those who chose him for office, and has proven a popular and 
efficient public official. 

In 1902 Mr. Dill was married to Rhoda E. Wilhite, a native of Patoka 
township, Gibson county, Indiana, and to them have been born two children, 
Raymond Paul and Venus Silba. 

Religiously, Mr. Dill is an earnest and faithful member of the Chris- 
tian church of Princeton, as well as being president of the board of trustees. 
Fraternally, he is affiliated with the Independent Order of Odd Fellows, be- 
longing to Lodge No. 64, and Encampment No. 55. at Princeton. He is also 
a member of the Benevolent and Protective Order of Elks of Princeton. 
Court No. 43. Tribe of Ben-Hur, and of Lodge No. 1150, Knights and 
Ladies of Security, being financier of the latter lodge. He has been success- 
ful in his affairs and owns a valuable little truck farm one-half mile out of 
Princeton, south on Mam street, where he makes his home and where he 
enjovs life. Crippled since the age of thirteen years, as a result of an attack 
<>f white swelling and compelled to walk with the assistance of crutches, Mr. 
Dill deserves much credit for the success which he has attained in the pursuit 
of his affairs, and also for the care and attention which he gave his aged 



GIBSON (in \TY, tNDIANA. 4_'^ 

parents when the) were in advanced years. Genial and unassuming in his 
relations with his fellowmen, he has so ordered his activities as to command 
the respect oi all who know him and he is eminently deserving of a place 
among the representative men of his vicinity. 



HARVEY HARMON. 



Among the lawyers who have been successful in their profession in Gib- 
son county is Harvey Harmon, the present prosecuting attorney of this 
county. He was born August 12. 187^. in Gibson county, Indiana, the son of 
John VV. and Julia A. (Pruitt) Harmon. John \Y. Harmon's ancestors 
were among the very first settlers in Gibson county, the family having located 
in that community near the year 1812. Harvey Harmon's father was born 
and lived his entire life in that county, having been engaged in the mercantile 
and milling business for forty years. To the subject's parents were born 
two children, Harvey, and a sister. Grace, who married R. II. Barnett. The 
father. John \\\, is still living at Owensville, while the mother died at the 
old home place. 

The early education of Harvey Harmon was secured in the common 
schools, this being supplemented by a course in the high school, from which 
latter place he graduated in 1802. after which he attended the law school of 
the State University at Bloomington, Indiana, finishing his studies then- in 
1899. After his graduation there he was employed for some time as an 
adjuster for the Deering Harvester Company of Chicago, subsequently en- 
gaging in the practice of law in Princeton, where lie has continued since. 
Tn 1913 Air. Harmon was elected prosecuting attorney oi the sixty-sixth 
judicial circuit of Indiana and is now filling that office. 

In tgoo Ah". Harmon was united in marriage to Nora McGinnis, daugh- 
ter of James and Melissa 1 Mauds 1 McGinnis, the father a hotel man at 
Owensville, this county, for twenty years. Airs. Harmon's mother is now 
living with subject and wife, while the father is dead. To Mr. Harmon 
wife have been born four children, Julia. John. Mary and 'Martha, all of 
whom are living with their parents. 

Tn his political views, ATr. Harmon is an active worker in the Demo- 
cratic party, while fraternally he is affiliated with the Masons, in which order 
he is a Knight Templar; he is deputy grand president of the Fraternal Order 



4 2 4 GIBSON COUNTY, INDIANA. 



of Eagles of the state, and is also a member of the Benevolent and Pro- 
tective Order of Elks and the Improved Order of Red Men. 



ALFRED S. FORD. 



The success of men in business or any vocation depends upon character 
as well as upon knowledge, it being a self-evident proposition that honesty- 
is the best policy. Business demands confidence and where that is lacking 
business ends. \n every community some men are known for their upright 
lives, strong common sense and moral worth rather than for their wealth or 
political standing. Their neighbors and acquaintances respect them and the 
younger generation heeds their examples. They win their way through 
untiring energy and right principles and hold the respect of their fellow men 
by their genuine worth. Among the men of Gibson county, Indiana, who 
have won for themselves success in their chosen line of endeavor, is the one 
whose name appears at the top of this sketch. 

Alfred S. Ford first saw the light of day on February 14, 1835, in Bed- 
fordshire, England, the parents being James and Jane (Battison) Ford. 
Both were natives of England. When the subject of this sketch was about 
nine years old ( in 1844) the family emigrated to this country, locating near 
Mt. Carmel, Illinois. Not being satisfied with the site first selected, they 
came to Princeton, Indiana, in the fall of 1845, where they resided the re- 
mainder of their lives. There were six children in the family originally, but 
oi these only one, the subject of this sketch, survives. The father started 
the first nursery in Princeton, in 1851, which he continued to operate until 
his death in 1882. 

Alfred S. Ford received most of his education in the common schools 
of Princeton, and at an early age was regularly apprenticed to a carpenter. 
He was faithful in the discharge of his duties and made rapid advancement 
in his chosen trade. In due time, through careful attention to the various 
phases of his line, lie advanced to being a builder and contractor in his own 
right. 

Early in the Civil war, wishing to show his loyalty to his adopted 
country, Mr. Ford enlisted, in August, 1862, in Company A, Eightieth Regi- 
ment Indiana Volunteers, and so faithfully did he discharge his assumed 
obligations that he was mustered out of service in 1865 as first sergeant. 
He was in active service all during his enlistment and was wounded in the 




ALFRED S. FORD. 



GIBSON CO! \ r\ . I NTDIANA. 425 

breast by a shell at Resaca. Was in the battle of Nashville and Wilmington, 
and went all through the Atlanta campaign. After the close of the war, he 
returned to Princeton and resumed his contracting business. In 1880 he 
bought the lumber business and planing mill which he now owns. Previous 
to his going into the army, he was on the town board for two terms. 

In May, 1858, Mr. Ford was united in marriage to Elizabeth A. Rice, a 
native of Butler county, Kentucky. To them were born seven children, six of 
whom are living, namely: Lucy J., wife of Elmer E. Sharp, of Greencastle, 
Indiana; Frank, residing at Waterloo, Iowa; Katie, who resides at home; 
1 leorge. a resident of Fort Branch, Indiana ; Nellie, at h -me, and Dale A., who 
is associated with his father. Mrs. Ford's parents were Washington and Lucy 
(McReynolds) Rice, natives of Virginia. Her father, who had been a 
soldier in the war of 1812, was a pioneer < >!' Gibson county. He was a school 
teacher for many years and was serving as justice of the peace at the time 
of his death, in 1854. He was a public spirited man and a Whig in politics. 
His wife passed away in 1839. They were the parents of two children, 
Thomas, a school teacher, who died in [856, and Elizabeth, Mrs. Ford, who 
w as l» irn in 18^7. 

Mr. Ford has always cast his influence with the Republican party. He 
has been a consistent man in all he has undertaken and his career in all the 
relations of life has been utterly without pretense I fe is held in the highest 
esteem by all who know him and is in ever) respect an excellent am! entei 
prising citizen, one of that admirable body of men who can truly style them- 
selves "self-made." 



CHARLES S. SCULL. 



The gentleman to a review of whose life the reader's attention is most 
respectfully directed is recognized as one of the energetic, well known busi- 
Gibson county, who. by his enterprise and progressive methods. 
has contributed in a material way to the commercial advancement of the 
locality where he lives. In the course of an honorable career he has been 
successful in the manifold lines to which his efforts have been directed and, 
enjoying distinctive prestige among the representative men oi his commun- 
ity, it is eminently proper that attention be called to his achievements and dis- 
credit be accorded to his worth as an enterprising citizen. 

Charles S. Scull, the son of \aron and Miranda (Beach) Scull, was 
born in Wapello, Iowa, February 14, i860. Aaron Scull was a native of 



426 GIBSON COUNTY, INDIANA. 

New Jersey, while his wife was born in Indiana. Aaron Scull was reared 
in his native state and came to Indiana in early life, where he met his wife, 
and after their marriage they moved to Iowa, where he followed the occupa- 
tion of a carpenter and builder the remainder of his life. To Mr. and Mrs. 
Aaron Scull were born nine children, five of whom are living: Ancil B. ; 
William L. ; Charles S., the immediate subject of this sketch; Mrs. Ida B. 
Crawley, who is a teacher; Mrs. Nellie Barnes, of Joliet, Illinois. 

Charles S. Scull secured his education in the common schools of his 
neighborhood where he was reared in Iowa and has supplemented this by 
reading and observation of men and events. He was reared to the life of a 
farmer, but later in life he became interested in the sewing machine business 
and for a period of ten years was an agent for one of the large sewing 
machine companies in the state of Kentucky. Subsequently he came to 
Princeton. Indiana, where he engaged in the same line of business for two 
years, after which he bought the furniture store of A. W. Lagou in 1893, an d 
he still owns and operates this establishment. He carries a large and well 
selected line of furniture and house furnishings and has for more than 
twenty years enjoyed his full share of the popular patronage. He possesses 
marked business ability and his courteous treatment of his patrons and evi- 
dent desire to please all who come into his store has won him a large ac- 
quaintance throughout the county. On January 13. 1914. Mr. Scull moved 
into his new store, the old Wright property, on the east side of the public 
square. Here he had erected a three-story and basement, pressed brick build- 
ing, arranged to meet the demands of his business, the conveniences includ- 
ing an electric passenger elevator. Mr. Scull is an active member of the 
Commercial Club and the Retail Merchants Association of Princeton. 

Mr. Scull was married in 1901 to Sarah Whiting, the daughter of Capt. 
C. C. Whiting and wife, who are referred to elsewhere in this work, and to 
this union there has been born one son, Charles \Y., whose birth occurred on 
March 3. iqoq. and who is attending the public schools of Princeton, his 
father intending to give him the best education which the public schools 
afford. PoliticalK . Mr. Scull is a Republican and ha- always voted for the 
candidates of that party. He has held no public offices, nor has ever been a 
seeker for a place of preferment, feeling that all of his attention could be 
more profitably directed toward his business. He is a member of the Knights 
of Pythias and also of the time-honored order of Free and Accepted Masons, 
and takes an active and appreciative interest in these fraternal organizations. 
Mr. Scull bears the proud American title of self-made man and is, in the 



GIBSON COUNTY, INDIANA. 427 

most liberal sense of the term, the architeel of his own fortunes. Me may 
well feel a sense of pride in his achievement and the honorable position to 
which he has attained among the enterprising and successful citizens of the 
county and city in which for so many years he has been actively identified. 



W. E. CRISWELL. 



It is a well authenticated fact that success comes as the result of legiti- 
mate and well applied energy, unflagging determination and perseverance in 
a course ol action when once decided upon. She is never known to smile 
upon the idler or dreamer and she never courts the loafer, only those who 
have diligently sought her favor being crowned with her blessings. In trac- 
ing the history of the influential citizen of Princeton, Gibson comity. Indi- 
ana, whose name forms the caption of this review, it is plainly seen that 
the success which he enjoys has been won by commendable qualities and it 
is also his personal worth that has gained for him the high esteem of those 
who know him. 

W. E. Criswell is a native sou of the old Hoosier state, being horn in 
Warrick county, and is a son of J. J. and Sarah I'.. (McSwain) Criswell, 
both also natives of Indiana. J. J. ( xiswell has for many years been enga 
in real estate business in Princeton, where he still maintains an office, and is 
numbered among the substantial citizens of that enterprising city. \V. E. 
Criswell received a good common school education, completing his studies 
in the high school, after which he started out in life on his own account as a 
clerk in a clothing store. Then he went to Indianapolis, where for six ye; 
he followed a like occupation, and in [906 came to Princeton and entered 
into a partnership with Mr. Welborn, under the firm name of Welborn X 
Criswell. and they are toda) carrying one of the largest and most complete 
stocks of clothing and gents' furnishing goods in Princeton, the stock being 
conservativel) valued at twenty thousand dollars. \ large share of the 
credit for this splendid success is due to the untiring effort and sound busi- 
ness judgment of Mr. Criswell, who has devoted himself assiduously to the 
building up of his trade, and who by his uniform courtesy to the patrons of 
his store and his insistence upon courteous treatmenl on the part of his 
employees, has made a favorable impression upon those who have patronized 
him. Mr. Criswell, though among the younger business men of Princeton, 



4-8 GIBSON COUNTY, INDIANA. 

lias also gained an enviable reputation among his fellow business men, by 
whom he is held in high esteem. 

Fraternally, W. E. Criswell is a member of the Tribe of Ben-Hur, 
the Knights of Pythias and the Benevolent and Protective Order of Elks, 
while, socially, he holds membership in the Marion Club, of Indianapolis. 
Genial and unassuming in manner, Mr. Criswell easily makes friends and 
throughout this community, where he is well known, his friends are as the 
number of his acquaintances. 



JOSHUA S. SISSON. 



In the respect that is accorded to men who have fought their own way 
to success through unfavorable environment, we lind an unconscious recog- 
nition of the intrinsic worth of a character which can not only endure so 
rough a test, but gain new strength through the discipline. The gentleman 
to whom the biographer now calls the reader's attention was not favored by 
inherited wealth nor the assistance of influential friends, but in spite of this, 
by perseverance, industry and wise economy, he has attained a comfortable 
station in life, making his influence felt for good in his community and be- 
cause of his honorable career in the education of the youth of the county and 
because of the fact that he is numbered among thnse patriotic sons of the 
North who assisted in saving the Union's integrity in the dark days of the 
sixties, he is eminently worthy a place in this book. 

Joshua S. Sisson, respected citizen of Princeton and retired school 
teacher and farmer of Gibson count}-, Indiana, than whom no man in his 
county is more deserving of mention in a book of this character, was born 
January 8, 1846, in Switzerland county, Indiana, the'son of John C, a native 
of Gallatin county, Kentucky, and Lydda Elizabeth (Stephenson) Sisson, a 
native of North Carolina. 

In the paternal line, the subject's ancestral history is as follows: {I) 
Richard Sisson, who was born in 1608 and died in 1684. ( II ) George 
Sisson, eldest son of Richard Sisson, married Sarah Lawton, and of their 
children, the ninth in order of birth was (III ) Thomas, who was the father 
of (IV) Giles. The latter's wife bore the name of Elizabeth and among 
their children was (V) John, who was a soldier in the war of the Revolution. 
His wife bore the name of Alcha and their twelfth child was (VI) Benjamin. 



GIBSON COUNTY, INDIANA. 4J0. 

Benjamin Sisson was twice married, first to Hannah Cranston, and to them 
was born a daughter, Hannah. His second wife was Servian Pendleton and 
to their union were born the following children: Alary, Ann, Ira, Julia A., 
Lucinda, (,VH) John Crandall, Nancy A. and Eli. 

John Crandall Sisson, who was a tanner, grew to manhood and married 
in Kentucky and came to Indiana and purchased a sixty-tive-acre farm back 
from Vevay, Indiana. There they made their home until 1858, when they 
loaded their possessions on flal boats on the Ohio river, went through the falls 
at Louisville, Kentucky, and arrived at Leavenworth, Crawford county, Indi- 
ana, where they located two and one-halt miles back from the river on what 
is known as the Milltown road. Here he purchased a farm of sixty-five 
acres and on this they made their home' until after the close of the Civil war. 
In 1879 they went to Knox county, Indiana, locating east of Hazelton, where 
he died on June 30, 1899. ^ e would have been eighty-two years old on 
August 3d following. His first wife dud in April. 1863, and he married 
for his second wife .Sarah McClure, who died on February iS. 101 1. John 
1 Sisson, while taking no active interest in politics, was a man who kept 
posted "ii such affairs. I Iriginally he had been a Democrat, but later joined 
the ranks of the Republican party. He was a consistent member of the 
United Brethren church and a man well liked and respected. To him by his 
first wife were born twelve children, as follows: William Benjamin, win. 
died in 1909, served throughout the Civil war. He enlisted as a private in 
Company E, Thirty-eighth Regiment Indiana Volunteer Infantry, and was 
made second lieutenant. The Thirty-eighth saw considerable active service 
and he was with it in the various battles. He was also a teacher in the pub 
lis schools for many years. Hannah Elizabeth who died in 1910, was the 
wife of Joseph B. Glenn and lived in Switzerland county, Indiana. Henry 
Crandall was a farmer who lived in Warsaw, Kentucky. 1 \ III 1 Joshua 
Stanley is the immediate subject of this sketch. Zachary Taylor was also a 
soldier who served throughout the Civil war. a member of Company E, 
Thirty-eighth Regiment, in the ranks of the privates. He was a shoemaker 
in his earlier life and for many years has been engaged in farming at 
Texarkana, Texas. David Harrison enlisted in Companj I*'. One Hundred 
and Forty-sixth Regiment Indiana Volunteer Infantry, at the tender age of 
fifteen, after having been rejected several times on account of bis youth. I le 
served six months. \fter the close of the war be taught school for thirty- 
live years, first in Knox county and later in Gibson county. He is now a 
rural mail carrier, running out of Deckard Station. Indiana, for the last 



430 GIBSON COUNTY, INDIANA. 

eleven years. Winfield Scott was a school teacher in Gibson county for 
several years. He has also had a drug store at Hazleton, Indiana, for the 
past ten years and is also a rural mail carrier out of Hazleton. He has been 
active in the ranks of the Republican party and served as postmaster at Hazle- 
ton for two terms and has been a member of the Republican central com- 
mittee. Mary Katherine was the next in order of birth. George Marion 
died at the age of eighteen years, in 1873. He was a promising young man 
who had fitted himself for the vocation of teaching. Andrew Cleveland, 
who lives at Hazleton, Indiana, was also a school teacher for a time and later 
associated with his brother Winfield Scott in the drug business. He now 
has two general stores and handles hardware and drugs at Deckard Station 
and Hazleton, having with him his son Raymond. He also has a drug store 
at Hazleton. Jane Ellen, deceased, was the wife of John Early. The 
youngest daughter of the family. Louisa Ann. is dead. She was the wife of 
James Holt. 

In addition to this large and enterprising family, John C. Sisson had 
several children by his second wife, namely: Rebecca Belle, wife of Thomas 
Home, residing east of Hazleton; Nancy Alice, who died at the age of four- 
teen years: Samuel Francis, who lives north of Princeton and is rural mail 
carrier on route number six out of Princeton. He married Pearl Mont- 
gomery; John Lewis is a farmer and also carpenter and lives at Union, Indi- 
ana. His wife was Sallie Hoover. Edward Emanuel is also a farmer and 
carpenter and resides at Hazleton. His wife was Lizzie Wolfe. 

Joshua S. Sisson received his elementary education in the common 
schools near Leavenworth, Indiana, but received his higher education after 
the close of the war. On October 6. 1863, he enlisted in Company H, Thir- 
teenth Indiana Cavalry, at Leavenworth, Crawford county, and was with the 
Army of the Cumberland. He contracted measles while in service which 
cost him the sight of his right eve and impaired the vision of the left, so that 
it is with difficulty he is able to see. He served until the fall of 1864, when 
he received his honorable discharge. 

In 1867 Mr. Sisson commenced teaching school and taught until 1893. 
In the earlier part of his career, however, he had attended school at Oakland 
City, the Marengo Academy, in Crawford county, one term, four years at the 
State Normal School in Terre Haute. Indiana, and also at Mount Carmel 
Seminary. Illinois. In all he taught for twenty-seven years, the last nine of 
which his average stood at one hundred per cent, for both counties on all 
common branche- of the count\" schools, which is quite an unusual record. 
He has taught in Knox. Crawford and Gibson counties. 



GIBSON COUNTY, INDIAN \. | ; I 

In i8y-' Mr. Sisson gave up his school work and located two and one- 
half miles northeast of Princeton on the Carnahan farm. He purchased 
eighty-two and one-half acres, on which he remained until 1905, when he 
retired from active work, moved t" Princeton and has disposed of his farm 
on which he had built the present comfortable house and made other valuable 
improvements. 

On October 14. 1885, Mr. Sisson was united in marriage to Flora E. 
Farnum, of Warrick county, Indiana, a daughter oi George L. and Alvina 
1 Stuart ) Farnum, he a native of Bridgeport, Connecticut, and she of Lock- 
port, New York. "The father was engaged in the saw -null business and was 
also a local preacher in the Methodist Episcopal church. They eventually 
came to Indiana and in August, [861, he enlisted in a regiment of Indiana 
volunteer infantry and re-enlisted when his first enlistment expired, lie was 
a lieutenant for one year. After returning home after the close of the war. 
he lived in Newburg, Indiana. Me died in Knox county, as did his wife also. 
["hey were the parents of live children, four of whom are living, namely: 
Henry, a traveling salesman in Washington; Lizzie, the wife oi David Sisson, 
brother of the subject of this sketch: the third child is the wife of Joshua 
S. Sisson, and William < 1. is a traveling salesman out of Alliance, Ohio. 
Another son, Herbert, died at the age of nine years. 

Joshua S. Sisson and wife are the parents of an interesting family, all 
of whom have received good education. Blanche, a daughter, has been a 
teacher in the schools of Princeton for the past four years. Edgar B. served 
four \ ears in the United States navy, being assigned to the battleship "New 
Jersey." He also served as hospital apprentice. lie is now district traffic 
chief for the Cumberland Telephone Company at Madisonville, Kentucky. 
Rollin S. is a machinist in an automobile factor) al Indiana])' 'lis. I lis first 
wife was Inez Smith and to them have been born two children, Ralph and 
Beatrice. His second wife is named Lizzie and the) have two children. 
Ruth Golden, another daughter of Mr. Sisson, is the wife of David Harder, 
an engineer on the Southern railroad, and they reside in Princeton. They 
have two children. Edgar and Ruth Marie. Mien Floyd is another son win. 
is a machinist and he is located at San Fernando, California. Ilis wife was 
Edith Boswell, and they have one child, John Floyd. In addition to their 
daughter Blanche, three other children, Hazel, Lester I), and Roger A., re- 
main at home. 

From his activities along educational lines and his long residence in 
Princeton, Mr. Sisson is loo widely known and universally respected for any 



432 GIBSON COUNTY, INDIANA. 

attempts of the biographer to place before the public his many sterling qual- 
ities. He has always stood for whatever was highest and best along all lines 
and is worthy the enviable place he has won in public estimation. His fra- 
ternal affiliation is with the Independent Order of Odd Fellows, of which he 
is a member with Lodge No. 20 at Vincennes, Indiana. He is also a mem- 
ber of Archer Post No. 28, Grand Army of the Republic, at Princeton, and 
his religious sympathies are with the Methodist Episcopal church, of which 
he has long been a consistent member. There is scarcely any calling more 
fraught with opportunities for the accomplishment of good than that of the 
training of the young, and in attempting to store the minds of the children 
under his care Mr. Sisson has ever endeavored to have his influence count 
always for the best. 



SAMUEL HAMILTON WOODS. 

One of the best known men of a past generation in Gibson county, Indi- 
ana, one whose record is well deserving of a conspicuous place in his com- 
munity's history, was the late Samuel Hamilton Woods, who passed from the 
scenes of his earthly labors on July 14, 1880, at the advanced age of eighty- 
nine years, four months and thirteen days. A pioneer of this locality, he was 
for many years one of the most prominent and enterprising agriculturists of 
the county. Perhaps his dominant and most notable characteristic was his 
fidelity to truth and honor. He invariably sought the things that were "hon- 
est and of good repute." In the training of his children no precepts were so 
constantly or so urgently insisted on as those which concern sound and 
worthy character. He taught that honor and truthfulness were of such com- 
manding worth that self-interest should never under any circumstances set 
them aside. These principles were a standard by which he estimated men, 
and to which he religiously held himself. Whatever else he might do or fail 
to do, he meant to be, in all his actions, right before his Creator and man. 
His life was an inspiration to all who knew him and his memory remains to 
his friends and surviving children as a blessed benediction of a noble and up- 
right character. While advancing his individual interests, he never lost sight 
of his obligations to the community in general, and during his entire mature 
life he held a very high place in the confidence and esteem of all who knew 
him. 




SAMUF. VOODS 



GIBSON COUNTY, I NTH \\ A. 433 

Samuel Hamilton Woods was descended from a sterling ancestry, who 
were characterized by that courage and spirit of sell-denial without which 
they would not have been numbered among the founders of the new empire 
in the Middle West. To such as they is this section of the country indebted 
for its settlement and subsequent wonderful development. The members of 
the Woods family are many in number and have occupied honorable positions 
in their several localities, many of (hem being residents of Gibson count}-. 
Their record here is as follows: 

Joseph Woods was born near Charlottesville, Albemarle county, Vir- 
ginia, August 22, 1745. lie was married January 28, [768, to Mary Hamil- 
ton, of said count] . She was born in 1747 and died August 26, 1829. About 
1700 Joseph Woods, together with his wife and ten children, migrated to 
Tennessee and settled on the Holston river about ten miles from Knoxville, 
where Samuel Hamilton Woods, the eleventh and last child, was born in 1 791. 
!n 1807 Joseph Woods removed with all his family, except his son Joseph I.., 
to Knox county, Indiana, and settled on the Du Chien (Du Shee) river. 
April 10, 1809, he removed to Gibson county. Indiana, and settled on Turkey 
Hill in section 21, township 2 south, range 10 west, three miles southwest of 
Princeton. In 181 1 his son Joseph P.. and family, followed from Tennessee 
and settled two miles west of the bomestead. He died January [6, 1835, 
on his Turkey Hill farm. 

Joseph Woods served in the Revolutionary war as a private in Capt. 
Benjamin Uriggs' company, Seventh Virginia Regiment: muster roll dated 
Fort Pitt, November 18, 1781, "for the year 17X0 and January to October, 
1781"; "Term of enlistment, War" ; "On command at Wheeling." His name 
was last borne on muster roll for June, 1783. dated at Fort Pitt, July 3, 1783, 
with remark: "On furlough." . 

The families of Joseph Woods, pioneer, were ws : 

Family One — John (born 1 i 1844), married Poll) Dickson. 

Family Two — James 1 born 1770. died 1815), married Nancy Dickson, 
as sister of Polly Dickson. 

Family Three— Margaret (born 1772. 'W-A [845), married Samuel 
Hogue. St., an uncle of Samuel. Jr. 

Family Four — Patrick (born 1775. died 1856), married Jane Hannah. 

Family Five — Joseph L. (born 177c'.. died [845), married Elizabeth 
Hannah, a sister 1 1' Jane I lannah. 

lv Six — William (born 1778, died 1845), newer married. 
(28) 



434 GIBSON COUNTY, INDIANA. 

Family Seven — David (born 1780, died 1S41 '), married Esther Wither- 
spoon. 

Family Eight — Isaac (born 1783, died 1872), married Elizabeth 
Witherspoon, a sister of Esther Witherspoon. 

Family Nine — Jane (born 1785, died 1848), married Samuel Hogue, Jr., 
a nephew of Samuel, Sr. 

Family Ten — Elizabeth (born 1787. died 1854 j, married William 
Embree. 

Family Eleven — Samuel H. (born 170.1. died 1880), married Ann Mc- 
Millan. 

Samuel H. Woods was born while his parents were living in Blount 
county, Tennessee, and was ahout sixteen years of age when the family came 
to Indiana, their first settlement being near Vincennes. There they remained 
about two years, coming, in the spring of 1809, to Gibson county, where they 
settled on a farm about four miles southwest of Princeton. He was reared 
amid the conditions surrounding pioneer life, with all its hardships and dis- 
comforts, and his early years were characterized by labor of the most, strenu- 
ous kind, incident to the clearing of the land and the development of a farm. 
Throughout his active years he followed agriculture as a vocation and, bv 
his indomitable energy and persistent industry, he acquired a large estate and 
a competency that enabled him to spend his last years in quiet and content- 
ment, enjoying the rest which his many years of toil so richly entitled him 
to. His last years were spent with his son Robert, who had settled on a part 
of the old farm, about a quarter of a mile distant from his father. 

For a number of vears prior to his death, his relatives celebrated his birth- 
day by an annual dinner, which occasions afforded him great delight, for he 
delighted in the companionship of .his relatives and friends. It was his 
pleasure to relate many reminiscences of the days when he first located in 
this county, and he was an authority as to many things concerning the pioneer 
period. He stated that when he came here there was but one house between 
his home and Princeton, and but one family where Princeton now is. There 
were then probably but four families within what is now Gibson county. The 
telegraph, railroads, steam mills and threshing- machines were not then 
dreamed of. Mr. Woods was compelled to go to mill at Vincennes, traveling 
on horseback and fording the White river, though ofttimes the meal was pre- 
pared at home by pounding corn in a mortar. 

Samuel H. Woods had an honorable military record, having served in 
the latter part of the war of 1812, being stationed at Boupas, Illinois, under 



GIBSON COl XTY, [NDIANA. 435 

Lieut. William Barker. I [e also, previous to the battle of Tippecanoe, helped 
guard \ incennes, and there saw Tecnmseh with one hundred and forty war- 
riors drawn up in front of (inventor Harrison'- residence to hold a council. 
He was a man of great moral and physical courage, qualified b) nature for 
the performance of any duty assigned him, no matter how arduous or danger- 
ous. 

Soon after Rev. John Kell took charge of the Reformed Presbyterian 
church at Princeton, Mr. Woods identified himself with that society, and was 
thereafter an earnest, faithful and active member until his death. Although 
his life was. in the main, a bus) one. he never shrank from his duties as a 
citizen and his obligations to his church, his neighbors and his friends. Al- 
ways calm and dignified, never demonstrative, his life was, nevertheless, a 
persistent plea, more by precept and example than by written or spoken word, 
for the puritv and grandeur of right principles and the beauty and elevation 
of wholesome character. To him home life was a sacred trust, friendship 
was inviolable and nothing could swerve him from the path of rectitude and 
honor. lie had the satisfaction of seeing nearly all his children become mem- 
bers of the church and many of his grandchildren as well. 

To Mr. Woods' marriage with Ann McMillan, which was consummated 
on November 5, 1815, were born eleven children, as follow-: lames M.. 
Matthew Mc, Joseph H.. Samuel Wylie, John. Robert R., David Calvin, 
John Brown, Sidney M., Renwick C. and Mary Ann Eliza. Of these, but 
two survive, Mr-. \1111 Eliza Hudelson, of Princeton, widow of the late John 
F. Hudelson, who is referred to specifically elsewhere in tin- work, and Ri 
wick Campbell Woods, who lives al Kirkwood, Illinois. The death of Mrs. 
Ann Woods occurred at the family home on August |. [861, in the seventy- 
seventh year of her aye. She was born 111 Chester district. South Carolina, 
and in 1809, with her mother, then a widow, she emigrated to Gibson county, 
Indiana. She was reared in the faith of the Reformed Presbyterian church, 
and was admitted into full communion by the Rev. John Kell. either at the 
time of the organization of the Princeton congregatii 1 rat the dispensation 
of the second communion. Wife, mother and home-maker first of all. -be did 
in it D inline her w 1 irk 1. 1 the In iimdaries of the In inie, but fi mnd the opp< irtunity 
and inclination to extend her tield of usefulness into the world around her. 
becoming an integral part of the besl things that made up the w the 

nmunit) life. \- the afterglow from the setting sun gives but a faint con- 
ception of its glories at noonday, so the memories of her well-spent life reflect 
Inn ,1 passing glimpse of the beauty of a life which was hid with Christ. 



43*5 GIBSON COUNTY, INDIANA. 

JAMES CARITHERS. 

In early days the Middle West was often a tempting held tor energetic, 
ambitious, strong-minded men, and Indiana was rilled with them during the 
time she was struggling up to a respectable position in the sisterhood of 
states. There was a fascination in the broad held and great promise which 
this newer region presented to activity that attracted many men and induced 
them to brave the discomforts of the early life here for the pleasure and 
gratification of constructing their fortunes in their own way and after their 
own methods. The gentleman whose name heads this sketch is widely known 
in Gibson county and is one of the honored citizens of Patoka township, 
where he is living in honorable retirement after a strenuous life of activity in 
connection with agricultural pursuits. His well directed efforts in the prac- 
tical affairs of life, his capable management of his business interests and his 
sound judgment have brought him prosperity and his life demonstrates what 
may be accomplished by any man of energy and ambition who is not afraid 
to work and who will not give up in the face of any discouragement that 
may arise. 

James Carithers is a native of Ireland, born in county Donegal in Au- 
gust, 1836, a son of Alexander and Jane (Porter) Carithers, both of the above 
count)'. The father was a small farmer and also a linen weaver by trade. 
Desiring greater advantages for his family of growing children than their 
native surroundings ma> ble, he came to America alone in 1848, mean- 

ing to send for his fa'mil on as he could find a suitable location. He at 

first stopped at Astoria. Long Island, where he remained about a year. At 
that tune the country was aflame with wild stories following the discovery 
of gold in California and. with bright dreams of what he might accomplish 
for his family, within a comparatively short time, Mr. Carithers set sail on 
the long journey around Cape Horn, bound for the California gold fields. 
He stopped at various places and consumed six months in making the trip. 
Arriving at his destination in California, he made acquaintance with a doctor 
from Kentucky and the two became partners in their mining work. They 
were quite successful ami had accumulated considerable, when the doctor 
turned traitor, clubbed Mr. Carithers over his head with his gun. robbed him 
and fled, leaving his victim for dead. In due time Mr. Carithers recovered 
and again took up the work of a miner, though not with such success, al- 
though he then felt warranted in sending for his family. He returned to 
New York City by waj of the Isthmus of Panama, making the last lap of 



GIBSON COUNTY, [NDIANA. 437 

his journey on the steamer "Northern Light." In New York he stayed with 
relatives and awaited the arrival of his family, who came in [855, and the 
same year they came west to Princeton, Gibson comity, Indiana where they 
have since made their homes. Mr. (anthers took his son, James, the im- 
mediate subject of this sketch, to visit the boat "Northern Light" as sin- laj 
in New York Harbor. After arriving in Gibson county, the different mem- 
bers of the family secured employment on farms in the vicinity and so 
started in life for themselves. There were in Mr. (anthers' family four 
sons and one daughter, namely: James, subject of this sketch; Thomas, un- 
married, who resides in Center township, Gibson county, where he owns two 
thousand acres of fine land; Alexander, a fanner in Patoka township ami 
who during the Civil war was a member of Company H, Seventeenth Regi- 
ment Indiana Volunteer Infantry; Mary Ann, deceased, who was the wife of 
Henry P. Weatherly; and Joseph, who resides east of Princeton in Patoka 
township, and is president of the American National Bank of Princefc 
Air. Carithers was one of a family of six brothers who came to America in 
their young manhood. Air. Carithers passed the remainder of his life in 
Gibson count}', where his death occurred: his wife died there also. 

James Carithers received but a meager education when a youth in Ire- 
land, which was supplemented by attendance at night school and diligent at- 
tention to. various lines of reading and other study, until today he is con- 
sidered a well read man, unusually well informed on current events and fully 
alive to the interests of his community. 

In 1862 Mr. Carithers enlisted in Company A. Eightieth Regiment Indi- 
ana Volunteer Infantry, as a private. Pie was first sent to Louisville, Ken- 
tuckv. At the battle of Perrysville, < October 8, 1862, he lost the sight of his 
left eye. also had part of his left ear shot off and was shot through the jaw. 
For four months he was confined to the hospital at Evansville, after which 
time he was sent home. In 1865 he was united in marriage with Eliza I 
Townsend, daughter of Erastus D. and Lavina (Raynold) fownsend, 
natives of Oneida county. New York, who in 1818 left their home and came 
to Evansville, Indiana, by way of the Uleghenj and I >hio river.-. They came 
directly to Gibson county, where they obtained wild land, hurriedly made a 
small clearing sufficient for their first log cabin, and then began for them the 
strenuous life of the pioneer. By diligent effort they reclaimed from the 
wilderness their fine large farm in Patoka township where they passed the re- 
mainder of their live 

To James Carithers and wife have been horn eight children, as follows: 



438 GIBSON COUNTY, INDIANA. 

fhomas L., a farmer in Patoka township; Oliver L., who owns a drug store 
111 New Castle, Indiana; Samuel, a graduate of Purdue University, who has 
large farming interests in northern Montana; Joseph, a farmer east of Prince- 
ton 111 Patoka township; Archibald, a railroad man who died in 1907; Grace, 
who remains at home; Gertrude, wife of Delmar Clark, a farmer in northern 
Montana, and Florence, a teacher in the public schools of Princeton for the 
last -four years, and who remains at home. Mr. Carithers has given to each 
of his children a fine education, a valuable asset especially in this day and 
age. 

James Carithers is a man of powerful physique, who has wonderfully 
endured his many years of hard physical labor and is today a man extremely 
well preserved. He is known all over Gibson county, and especially in 
Patoka township, where he owns two hundred and fifty acres of excellent 
land, which attests his ability as a farmer employing up-to-date methods. 
He is also highly successful in stock raising, dividing his attention between 
that and general farming. Mr. Carithers has an enviable place in the hearts 
of a vast number of friends and acquaintances who well know his sterling 
worth and vital interest in anything that makes for the good of any one per- 
son or of his community. He is a member of the United Presbyterian church. 
to which he gives liberal support, and is also a member of Post No. 28, Grand 
Army of the Republic, in Princeton. Such a family as that of which Mr. 
( arithers is the head exerts an inestimable influence for the well being of a 
community and represents the highest type of citizenship, a worthy example 
and incentive t( > tin >se less favorably situated. 



JOSEPH C. DANKS. 



It is not an easy task to describe adequately a man who has led an 
eminently active and busy life and who has attained a position of relative 
distinction in the community with which his interests are allied. But biog- 
raphy finds its most perfect justification, however, in the tracing and re- 
cording of such a life history. It is, then, with a full appreciation of all that 
is demanded and of the painstaking scrutiny that must be accorded each state- 
ment, and vet with a feeling of satisfaction, that the writer essays the task 
of touching briefly upon the details of such a record as has been that of the 
honored subject whose life now comes under review. 



gibsi in coi \ n , i m>i \N.\. 1.39 

Joseph C. Hanks, who is among the prominent eitizei bson county, 

was born in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, January 30, [857, a son of the Rev. 
rhomas C. and Alary (Young) Danks. To this union six children were 
born: Joseph C, subjeel of this sketch, being the oldest; Mary E., wife of 
S. A. Stewart, of Princeton; Clara, wife of Dr. R. M. Smiley, of Washing- 
ton, Indiana: Belle, wife of Dr. W. R. Cravens, of Bloomfield, Indiana; 
Charles, who practices dentistry and resides at Lawrenceville, Illinois, and 
the youngest, Mrs. Lydia Milburn, who resides al Patoka, Indiana. Both the 
lather and mother of this interesting family were natives if Pennsylvania. 
The lather was a minister of the Methodist Episcopal church for many 
years, and came from his home in Pennsylvania to New Albany, Indiana, in 
[867, at the time the subject of this sketch was ten years "Id. in the interesl 
of the Ohio halls [ron Works, with which industry lie had been connected 
while in Pennsylvania. Along with his other duties, he acted as local 
preacher for his church on all possible occasions, but in 1871 he entered the 
Indiana general conference, from winch time on he devoted his entire time 
to the ministry of the Gospel up to a few years prior to his death, which oc- 
curred m 1905. lie rilled mam pastorates throughout his conference, among 
them being Leavenworth, Elizabeth, Harrison county; Erie, Lawrence 
county; Patoka, McCutchiss, Vanderburg county; Bruceville, Knox county; 
Washington, Sullivan, and Bloomfield, which was his last regular charge. 
In [890 he established his home in Patoka, when he removed after filling 
his pastorate at Bloomfield, and in which place he made his home up to the 
time of his death on December 1 J. [905. lie was a man in every sense 
worthy the name. A man of linn convictions, who fearlessl) took his stand 
E01 the right at all times, and in the discharge of the duties of his most sacred 
calling he was faithfulness itself. Ills wife passed awa\ before he did, her 
death occurring March 1 , [904. 

[oseph C. Danks received his elementary education in various schools, 
later on attending \sl>ur\ College at Greencastle, now DePauw University. 
\fter leaving college, and up to [879, he was engaged in tin- mercan 
business in Patoka with his brother-in-law, S. V Stewart lie later gave 
his attention to agricultural pursuits ami saw-mill business. In [908 he 
came to Princeton to reside, where he has since given his attention to the 
real estate and insurance business under the firm name oi I < ■ nor & Danks. 
although Mr. Tichenor is not active in the business. 

1 Mi April [3. [88i, .Mr. Danks was muted in marriage to Florence 
Stewart, who died on July 24, [889. To them were born three children. 



440 GIBSON COUNTY, INDIANA. 

John, Estelle and Sue. Tn October, 1S91, Mr. Danks was again married, his 
bride being Nellie Alvis, of Patoka, by whom he has had five children, 
Fannie, Ann, Delano, T. Charles and Clara. He still owns a commodious 
residence at Patoka. 

Mr. Danks is a member of the Benevolent and Protective Order of 
Elks and the Modern Woodmen of America. Politically, he gives his sup- 
port to the Republican party. He leads a busy life, his business demanding 
much attention to detail. Quiet and unassuming in his relations with his 
fellow men, his sterling qualities have won for him an enviable reputation 
among those with whom he comes in contact. 



DR. V. VV. S. TRIPPETT. 

It is an axiom demonstrated by all human experience that industry is the 
key to prosperity. Success comes not to him who idly waits for fortune's 
favors, but to the faithful toiler who, with cheerful celerity and sleepless 
vigilance, takes advantage of every circumstance calculated to promote his 
interests. Such a man is the gentleman whose name forms the caption of this 
biographical review, a well known and highly esteemed citizen of Princeton, 
Gibson county, Indiana, who has. within a comparatively brief period of time, 
advanced from an humble station in lite to a proud position among the lead- 
ing professional men in a community long noted for the high order of its 
professional talent. Faithfulness to duty and a strict adherence to a fixed 
purpose, which always do more to advance a man's interests than wealth or 
advantageous position, have been dominating factors in his life, which has 
been replete with honor and success worthily attained. He is known as a 
man of strictly honest business principles, industrious, pleasant and agreeable. 

Dr. V. W. S. Trippett was born in Gibson county, Indiana, April 30, 
1867, the son of Alex and Betsy A. (Phillips) Trippett. The father of the 
subject was born in Gibson county, as was also his wife. He was a farmer 
and died in 1867, the vear Doctor Trippett was born, the wife surviving him 
until 1905. To the subject's parents were born ten children, of whom four 
are living. 

The elementarv education of Doctor Trippett was acquired in the com- 
mon schools, this being supplemented by a course in a business university at 
Lexington, Kentuckv, after which he taught school for one year and then 




DR. V. \V. S. TRIPPETT. 



GIBSON COUNTY, [NDIANA. 44I 

entered the Louisville College of Dcntistrj to prepare for his subsequent pro- 
fessional career. Graduating from the dental college in 1892, after a two- 
years course, the Doctor returned to Princeton, hung out his shingle and has 
since been engaged in the practice of dentistry, in which he ha- been rewan 
by a large patronage, Ins clientele being composed of the very best citizens of 
the community. 

Doctor Trippett is the owner of three hundred acres of line farm land 
located in Washington, < enter and, Patoka townships, Gibson county, all of 
the land being rented. In addition to his holdings of farm land, the subject 
is the owner of the Trippett Mock, an office building in which the Doctor's 
offices are located, the remainder of the building being rented for offices and 
store rooms. This building was originally erected by the subject in [893, 
but was destroyed by fire, the Doctor, however, immediately rebuilding. 

In 189 ! Do( tor Trippetl was united in marriage to Annie E. Cox, daugh- 
ter of Lewis \\ . ( ox, a farmer living near New Harmony in Posey county, 
Indiana. This union has been blessed by the birth of four children: 
Marjorie is sixteen years old; I. eland is thirteen: Roderick is twelve and 
Charles is nine. 

The offices maintained by the subject are most complete ami are equipped 
with every known approved appliance and apparatus used in the practice' of 
modern dentistry. The Doctor is a well read man. not alone in the works 
pertaining to his profession, but in general literature, and is particularly well 
informed on current topics of the day. He takes an active interest in every 
movement for the advancement and betterment of the community in which 
he lives and is numbered among the best and representative citizens of bis 
localitv. lie is an appreciative member of the Masonic fraternity. 



LANDON KELT. 



Throughout an active and interesting career duty has ever been the 
motive of action of Landon Kell, one of the progressive citizens of Princeton. 
Gibson county, and usefulness to his fellow men has not been by any means 
a secondary consideration, fie has performed well his part in life, and it is 
a compliment worthily bestowed to say that this locality is honored in his 
citizenship, for he has achieved definite success through \v< own efforts and 
is thorough!) deserving of the proud American title of self-made man. the 



44- GIBSON COUNTY, INDIANA. 

term being one that, in its better sense, cannot but appeal to the loyal admira^ 
tion uf all who are appreciative of our national institutions and the privileges 
afforded lor individual accomplishment. It is a courage to face the battle 
of life with a strong heart and steady band and to win the stern conflict by 
bringing to bear only those forces with which nature has equipped him, — self- 
reliance, self-respect and integrity. 

Landon Kell, who for man}- years was numbered among the public 
school teachers of Gibson count}' and is now practically retired from active 
life, was born on February 17, 1851, in Gibson county, Indiana, about two 
and one-half miles south of Oakland City. He is the son of James and 
Parthenia ( Clifford; Kell. The father, who was born in Warrick county, 
Indiana, in 1S25, was the son of Mathew and Alary (_ Bates ) Kell, the former 
of whom was a native of the Chester district of South Carolina, and the 
mother was born in Tennessee. They came to Indiana in wagons in 182 1, 
locating in Warrick county, near Boonville, and in 1827 came to Gibson 
county, where they located a tract of government land, about two and one- 
half miles south of Oakland City, which the father cleared and developed 
into a splendid home. His death occurred in 1861, at the age of seventy- 
seven years. His wife died in i8')5, aged eighty-three. He was a wheel- 
wright by trade, a very substantial and worthy citizen of the community and 
a member of the Cnited Presbyterian church, being an elder in the Summer- 
ville Society many years. He was well known and respected throughout the 
locality. At the time of his death his son James was but a child. He was 
educated in the old log schools of that period, where, by close attention to his 
studies and much home reading, he became a well-informed man. He spent 
his life <<v. the old home place, to which he added until he became the owner 
of about four hundred sixty acres. In addition to the cultivation of the 
farm he became an extensive stock raiser and dealer, in which he met with 
pronounced success. His life record was marked by industry of the must 
strenuous character. He took a deep interest in politics, and was a staunch 
supporter of the Republican parly. Religiously, he was a member of the 
United Presbyterian church In 1871 he moved to a farm east of Princeton, 
and in r88o went to Madisonville, Kentucky, where his death occurred mi 
March 51, i8qi. He was an active member of the Independent Order of 
( kid Fellows, and also belonged to the Masonic order at Princeton. He was 
widelv known ami highly respected. His wife. Parthenia Clifford, was born 
about one mile from the Mammoth Cave, in Kentucky, and by her union with 
Air. Kell she became the mother of eight children, namely: Westerfield O, 



GIBSON COl XTY. 1MM \XA. 443 

who formerly lived east of Princeton, but finally moved to Madisonville, 
Kentucky, where he died in [910. He had married Sarah Brownfielcl, win. is 
-till living m Madisonville. The) were the parents of Four children, namely: 
James, Mary, Parthenia and Westerfield C. Luvicey became the wife 
Robert Broomfield. who died in [909, while her death occurred in [890. 
rhey had two children, Smith and Clara. Landon, the immediate subject of 
this sketch. William F., a successful physician at Madisonville, Kentucky, 
was educated in the St. Louis Medical College, lie married .Martha De- 
Arman and to them were born five children, Robert, Carrie, Luvina, Maude 
and Boneviri. Nora is the wile of Luther Ligier, near Francisco, this 
county. Madison L. was drowned in [870. Clara died in [866 ' ornelius 
S. i- an engineer and lives in South McAllister, Oklahoma. 

Landon Kell received his education in the home schools and also 111 the 
Owensville and Oakland City high schools, lie was reared to the life • 
farmer and remained on the old homestead until lie was twenty-three years 
of age. when he removed to Oakland City and established In- home, lie 
engaged in teaching school, following tin- vocation for twenty-one year-, 
first in Columbia township and later in Patoka and (enter townships and 
Francisco. \ man of broad and accurate information and with special 
qualifications a- a teacher, he was [or many years considered one of the lead- 
ing educators of In- county, his services being in demand wherever a high 
standard of educational qualifications was desired. In [896 Mr. Kell moved 
to Princeton, having ceased teaching in [890, and -nice that tune ha.- done 
considerable carpenter work and painting, though not now as active in th< 
lines as formerly. About 1874 Mr. Kell was married to Maria T. VVatkins, 
a native of Patoka township, Gibson county, Indiana, the daughter of Parnell 
and Sarah (Taylor) Watkins. Parnell Watkins was born in O'Brien county, 
Tennessee, and came to Gibson county in [826, settling east of Princeton 
where he acquired a considerable tract of wild land, to the clearing and im- 
provement of which he devoted himself, and lived there until mam years 
later, when he moved to another tract east of Princeton, where be spent the 
rest of hi.- life. Ili- wife, who was a native of London, England, died on 
the old place on which they first located after coming here, and hi- death 
occurred later, about five mile- ea-t ol Princeton. To Mr. and Mrs. Kell 
have been born the following children: James A., who is engaged in the 
newspaper business at Little Rock. Arkansas, married Florence B. Radcliff. 
Purcell W. was killed on the Southern Railroad at Walnut Hill-. Illinois, in 
November, [909 lie married Julia McClure and they had four children. 



444 GIBSON COUNTY, INDIANA. 

Lester, Edna, Martha and George. Edna B. became the wife of George 
Bryant, who is with the Campbell Paint Company at St. Louis, Missouri, 
and they have two children, Joseph B. and Mary Maria. A son died in 
infancy. Ralph, who is unmarried and lives at home, is a mail carrier in the 
city of Princeton. 

Politically a Republican, Mr. Kell has for many years taken an active 
part in politics, and has been an influential factor in the success of his party 
in this county, though never ambitious for a public office on his own account. 
Religiously, he is a member of the Methodist Episcopal church, while his 
fraternal relations are with the Masonic order at Princeton. Mr. Kell takes 
a 1 . good citizen's interest in public affairs, and casts his ballot in accordance 
with the dictates of his conscience, his support being always given to all 
worthy causes. In every relation in life he has been always true to lu's 
conscience and he enjoys the good will of all who know him. 



Andrew McGregor. 



Among the strong and influential citizens of Gibson county, the record 
of whose lives has become an essential part of the history of this section, the 
gentleman whose name appears above occupies a prominent place and for 
years he has exerted a beneficial influence in the locality where he resides. 
Andrew McGregor is one of the few remaining figures of the early pioneer 
days of Gibson county and has many interesting things to tell regarding those 
early times. In his boyhood wild game was plentiful around here and the 
present city of Princeton was then but a struggling village. 

Andrew McGregor was born March 5, 183 1, in Gibson county, Indiana, 
the son of George and Margaret (Gordon) McGregor, he a native of Vir- 
ginia and she of South Carolina. George McGregor, when a young man. 
came westward into Ohio, where he remained for a short time, then came 
on to Gibson county about 1825. He obtained possession of wild land 
near Sommerville, Gibson county, and here he made a home and there passed 
the remaining years of his life. Pie was among the foremost farmers and 
stock raisers of his day, a man well known and respected in the county. He 
and his wife were the parents of seven children, namely: David Riley, born 
in 1827. who acquired a farm near Sommerville on which he lived and died: 
Mary Ann, born in 1829, married Riley Harper and both are now dead: the 
third child was Andrew, immediate subject of this sketch: Martha jane, the 



GIBSON COl VIY, INDIANA. 445 

widow of Joseph McGarrah, who resides in Princeton; Hamilton, who many 
years ago went to Missouri and lias never since been heard from; James, a 
soldier of the Civil war, who was killed in the battle of Stone's River, while 
a member of Company l\ Forty-second Regimenl Indiana Volunteer In- 
fantry, and the youngest daughter, Lizzie, now deceased, who married Will- 
iam Sprowl. 

Andrew McGregor had very little opportunity for schooling in early 
days. He remained at home until he was twenty-four years of age, when 
he located east of Princeton where Mackey Station now is, on the Southern 
railroad. He obtained a tract of wild land there which he cleared and made 
a home, clearing the very ground on which the station now stands. Later 
he also obtained a tract of one hundred and twenty-three acre- of land near 
Sommerville. This was also virgin ground, which he put in shape for 
cultivation. 

In 1855 Andrew McGregor was joined in wedlock to Harriet Burton, 
daughter of Amos and Tolly Burton, name- of Virginia, who were among 
the pioneer settlers of Gibson county, where they lived and died. They also 
were farming people. To Andrew McGregor and wife were horn seven 
children: Samuel, who died August 29, 1913. He worked in a mill and 
was a bottler of soft drinks in Princeton for a number of years before his 
death. His wife was Ida Brownlee. They have three children. Edward, 
William and Maude. The next child was Cyrus, who is a farmer and brick 
mason in Patoka township, Gibson county. He married Emily Connors 
they have one son, Everett. Margaret J. married Jacob Leutholcl, of Spring- 
field, Missouri. John is deceased. Alice married James Osborn and both 
are now dead. Kate, wife of Wallace Howland, both of whom are now- 
dead. The youngest child, Bessie, became the wife of George Nicholson and 
both are now dead. They had one daughter, Genevieve, who married Walter 
Grace of Princeton, an upholsterer for the Southern railroad at Princeton. 
They have one daughter, Olive. Mr. and Mr-. ( irace have always made their 
home with her grandfather. 

On August 14, 1862, Andrew McGregor enlisted in Company F, Forty- 
second Regiment Indiana Volunteer Infantry, at Princeton. He was instru- 
mental in securing fifteen volunteers for this regiment. He was 
Indianapolis to be fitted out. was then ordered to Bardstown and Louisville, 
Kentucky, and on to Lebanon and Nashville. Tennessee, lie was in the 
battle of Murfreesboro, Chattanooga, Lookoi mtain, Missionary Ridge, 

and was with the Army of the Cumberland, lie received an honorable .lis- 



44^ GIBSON COUNTY, INDIANA. 

charge June 25, 1865, when he returned home and took up his occupation 
of farming. He also operated a threshing machine and has operated saw 
mills in various parts of the count)-, hut has now been retired from active 
duties for several years. 

Mr. McGregor's religious sympathies are with the Presbyterian church, 
to which he gives generously of his time and substance. He is an earnest 
advocate of total abstinence and an enthusiastic worker in the cause of tem- 
perance. Tt naturally follows that he is a consistent member of the Prohi- 
bition party. 

Mr. McGregor is wonderfully preserved for a man of his years, a splen- 
did personality and because of his industrious habits and persistent energy he 
has attained definite success and enjoys the respect and high esteem of the 
community in which he has resided all of his long and busy life. 



ANDERSON E. CROWE. 

The true measure of individual success is determined by what one has 
accomplished. An enumeration of those men who have succeeded in their 
special vocations in Gibson county, and at the same time are impressing their 
personalities on the community, men who are conferring honor on the 
locality in winch they reside, would be incomplete were there failure to make 
specific mention of the gentleman whose name initiates this paragraph, for 
he is an important factor in the business life of his community. The splendid 
success which has come to him has been the direct result of the salient points 
in his character, for, with a mind capable of laving judicious plans and a 
will strong enough to carry them into execution, his energy, foresight and 
perseverance have carried him forward to a position in the front rank of the 
successful men of his community. He has carried forward to successful 
completion whatever he has undertaken, and his business methods have ever 
been in strict conformity with the standard ethics of commercial life. He 
has taken an intelligent interest in the civic life of the community and has 
earned the high regard in which he is held by all who know him. 

Anderson E. Crowe, retired merchant tailor of Princeton, Indiana, is a 
native of Gibson county, horn October 2, 1828, the son of William and Eliza- 
beth (Stephens) Crowe. They had early come to Gibson county from Flem- 
ing county, Kentucky. The father was a native of Ireland, who had emi- 
grated to America and settled in Kentucky, where he met and married Miss 



I ,1 BSON <iil NTY. INDIANA. 447 

Stephens, who was born and raised in Fleming county. Together they came 
in Gibson county and settled on land six miles easl of Princeton. Later he 
secured a farm in Patoka township, where he lived the remainder of his life, 
which was miK a short time, as his death occurred in [832. In early life he 
was a stone cutter by trade. William Crowe and wife were the parents of 
seven children, namely: Mary, deceased, who married William 1 oster; John 
and Alvin S.. deceased: Louisa, wife of William Rainey, residing in Salem, 
Illinois: Anderson E., the immediate subjeel of this sketch, and Nelson K. 
and Algernon S., both dead. The family was reared in the faith of the 
1 1 >\ enanter church. 

Anderson E. Crowe had only limited opportunities for schooling when 
a boy, and at the tender age of twelve years was placed in the tailor shop of 
Robert Duncan in Princeton, to learn the trade, lie served with Mr. Duncan 
about eight years, when he opened a shop of his own in partnership with 1!. 
F. Brownlee. This partnership continued for a short time only, when he 

continued the business alone. He later opened a clothing store the south 

side of the square in Princeton, which he operated for a time, when he took 
into partnership William (i. Foster and they opened a more pretentious el' 'th- 
ing store on the north side of the square. This business was closed'out and 
he moved to Xenia, Ohio, where he worked at his trade. It was here he met 
the lady who became his wife. She was Man McFarland, of Cedarville, 
( Ihio, daughter of Jacob McFarland. They were married May _><>. [856, and 
she died May 21, 1887. To their union were burn sin children, namely: 
William M.. who died in 1885 ; Carrie T... deceased: Mary Louisa, residing 
in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, the wife of James II. Craig. Another daugh- 
ter is Eva, wife of G. B ^yres, of Anderson, Indiana. \nna Belle and Rose 
Alma remain at home, the latter being a reporter mi the Princeton Clarion 
News. After his marriage, tin- subject was in the clothing business in Xenia. 
Ohio, and later went to Cedarville, where he worked at his trade until the 
outbreak of the ('nil war. On September [3, [862, he enlisted in Company 
1). Forty-fourth Regimenl Ohio Volunteer Infantry, and was with the Army 
1 if the Cumberland, lie became ill at Mount Vernon, Kentucky, and v 
.sent to ('amp Dennison, when' he remained sick for a year and was mi a 
furlough. He was transferred to die veteran corps 111 Chicago and later v 
sent tn Springfield, Illinois, where he received his discharge Augusl u. [865. 
After leaving the army, he returned to Cedarville, Ohio, where he again 
opened Up a tailor shop and was also for a tune engaged in the saw-mill 
business with [oshia Mitchell. Later he returned to his 1 .Id home in Prince- 



448 GIBSON COUNTY, INDIANA. 

ton and, together with David Archer, bought out Robert Duncan. This busi- 
ness was continued for about eighteen years, Mr. Crowe working some at 
the tailor trade, until his retirement. 

Mr. Crowe's life has been a busy one, full of effort and achievement, and 
in all his affairs he has been km >wn as an honest and upright man. He is a 
member of Archer Post No. 28, Grand Army of the Republic, and also 
a consistent member of the United Presbyterian church in Princeton, to 
whose support he contributes of his substance. Mr. Crowe is a finely pre- 
served man for his years, retains an excellent memory and is widely known 
throughout Gibson county, as a great number of friends attest. 



JOHN F. HUDELSON. 



Among the citizens of Gibson county, Indiana, who built up comfort- 
able homes and surrounded themselves with valuable personal property, dur- 
ing a past generation, few attained a greater degree of success than the late 
John F. Hudelson, one of the earliest residents and most public-spirited 
citizens of this county. With few opportunities except what his own efforts 
were capable of mastering and with many discouragements to overcome, he 
achieved an exceptional success in life and in his old age had the gratification 
of knowing that the community hail been benefited by his presence and his 
counsel. He was regarded as a isiness man, an excellent manager, a 

man who possessed sound judgment and keen foresight, and who believed in 
pressing forward, keeping the wheels of the car of civilization ever moving up 
the steeps. He ever enjoyed the respect and esteem of those who knew him 
for his friendly manner, business ability, his interest in public affairs and up- 
right living and he was regarded by all as one of the substantial and worthy 
citizens of Gibson county, in whose advancement and growth he took a 
conspicuous part. 

John F. Hudelson was born near the city of Princeton, Gibson county. 
Indiana, on the 10th day of August, 1835, and his death occurred at his home 
in Princeton on October 11, 1895. He was the son of Samuel and Katie 
(Flemming) Hudelson, the former of whom was a native of South Carolina, 
but who came to Gibson county, Indiana, in a very early day. Here he ac- 
quired a tract of land, which he developed into a good farm and in the early 
life of this community he was a prominent figure. His son, John F., was 
reared on the old homestead and secured his education in the district schools, 




AM N E . HUDELSON 




MDELSON 



GIBSON I i'1'XTY, [NDIANA. \ \> ) 

which at that earl) da} lacked in many of what are todaj considered essential 
requirements to a good common school education. Nevertheless, he was a 
man of strong mentality and, by much reading and habits of close observa- 
tion, he became a man of more than ordinary attainments, being well in- 
formed on a wide variety of subjects. Upon attaining mature years he con- 
tinned agricultural pursuits on his own account and. through pers< vering in- 
dustry and sound business methods, he was prospered through the years, so 
that, in April, 1882. when he retired from active farming operations, he 
owned nearly a thousand acres of splendid farm land, nearl} all of which was 
in cultivation. Tn the year mentioned Mr. Hudelson bought a town n 
dence at No. 503 South Hart street. Princeton, which was completely re- 
modeled into a beautiful and attractive home by Mrs. Hudelson after her 
husband's death. He still maintained general supervision o- er his farm lai 
which, since Ins death, have been successfully managed b) Mrs. Hudelson, 
wlio possesses marked business ability and mature judgment in matters re- 
quiring discernment and sagacity. Mr. Hudelson became a large stock- 
holder in the Fanners National Bank of Princeton and was a member of its 
board of directors, his counsel and advice being valued highly by his associ- 
ates. Mr. Hudelson was a busy and industrious man. and In- attained to a 
place of importance in his locality in which he was a constant quantity. One 
of the kind that male tip the front rank, the kind that can he relied on, a 
good workman in the world's affairs, he was a splendid specimen of the many 
that do fhc real hard work of the world in places of passing importance, and 
do i( well. It was a kind of life that rloes not attract attention for its unusual 
brilliance or any picturesque qualities, but the kind out of which the warp and 
woof of the substance that ^ns to make up the continuous achievement of 
humanity is made. His death removed from Gibson county one of her most 
substantia! and highly esteemed citizens and the many beautiful tributes to 
his high standing as a man and citizen attested to the abiding pla.ee he had 
in the hearts and affections of those who knew him. All in all. he was a 
splendid example of the virile, progressive, self made man who believed in 
doing well whatever was worth doing at all. a man of keen discernment and 
sound judgment, broad minded and fair and just in all his dealings with his 
fellow men. Thus he enjoyed to .111 eminent degree the confidence and g 
will of all who knew him. 

1 >n December t8, [862, Mr. Hudelson was united in marriage with 
Ann Eliza Woods, the daughter of Samuel II. and Ann (McMUIin) Woods. 
Samuel II. Woods was horn in Blount county, Tennessee, on March 1. 1791, 

(29) 



450 GIBSON COUNTY, INDIANA. 

and died on July 14, 1880, at the age of eighty-nine years. His father, 
Joseph Woods, came to Indiana in 1807. being numbered among the 
real pioneers of the Hoosier state and locating near Vincennes. In 1809 
he located on Turkey Hill, where he achieved success as a farmer and where 
he spent the remainder of his years. He was a soldier in the war of 1812, 
taking part in the battle of Tippecanoe, where General Harrison so de- 
cisively defeated the Indians, and he also helped to guard Fort Vincennes 
during those troublous days. To him and. his wife were born eleven chil- 
dren, of whom but two are now living, Mrs. Hudelson and R. C, who lives 
at Kirkwood, Illinois. Mrs. Hudelson is a woman of marked attainments 
and possesses to a notable degree those womanly qualities and graces which 
have endeared her to all who know her. She has taken an active interest in 
current events and has been president of the Woods family re-union continu- 
ously since its organization. In the civic life of the community she has been 
actively interested and has been at the head of the ladies' waiting room in the 
court house at Princeton. She is an earnest member of the United Presby- 
terian church and until recently has been active in her support of the various 
interests of that society. She is a member of the Woman's Relief Corps, 
auxiliary to the Grand Army of the Republic. 

Politically, Mr. Hudelson was a life-long supporter of the Democratic 
party, but in local elections he assumed an independent attitude, voting for 
the men and measures which in his opinion were for the best interests of the 
community. He, too. was a faithful member of the United Presbyterian 
church, to the support of which he was a liberal contributor. A man of 
strong domestic tastes, he found his greatest enjoyment in his home, where he 
delighted to entertain his friends, for whom "the latch-string always hung on 
the outside." 



WILLIAM M. McCLURE. 

There could be no more comprehensive history written of a city or 
county, or even of a state and its people, than that which deals with the life 
work of those who, by their own endeavor and indomitable energy, have 
placed themselves where they well deserve the title of "progressive," and in 
this sketch will be found the record of one who has outstripped the less 
active and less able plodders on the highway of life, one who has not been 
subdued by the many obstacles that come to every one. but who has made 
them stepping stones to higher things and at the same time that he was 



GIBSON COUNTY, INDIANA. 45 I 

winning his way in material affairs of life, gained a reputation for upright- 

ancl honor. 

William M. McClure is a native of the city of Princeton, born March 
29, [848, the son of Joseph P., born October [6, [815, on the old McClure 
place, and the father of Joseph was James, born in Maryland, and his 
father was horn in Ireland, being the first of the family to emigrate to 
America. He had one son and cue daughter and lust his life in one of the 
battles of the Revolutionary war. After the close of the war. his widow 
and two children went into Kentucky. James McClure, Jr.. and Col. Ja< 
Warrick were the first white men to begin clearing the timber from the land 
south of the Patoka river. In 1804 they cleared a piece .if ground south- 
west of Princeton, put in a crop of corn and tended it through the summer. 
They built a stout log pen in which they placed the husked corn and covered it 
securely with logs in order t'> protect it from the bears prowling about in 
great numbers. They then returned to their homes in Kentucky, hut were 
hack in Gibson county again in [806, having their families with them. June 
6, [808, lames McClure was united in marriage with Malinda Mm Warrick, 
who was horn in Kentucky in 1788, a daughter of Colonel Jacob lames 
McClure was born October (<. 17N5. the son of Irish parentage. His mother's 
name was Jane and she died in Princeton. 

Malinda Ann Warrick McClure had two brothers and five sisters. John. 
Jacob, Mary, Ruth. Margaret, Elizabeth and Ellen Jane. At the time of her 
marriage to James McClure, her father. Col. Jacob Warrick', was living on 
what is now known as the Major Smith farm, two miles east of ( )wensville, 
Indiana, and they set up their new home on the site now occupied by the 
McCam Summit. Here they lived for many years and reared their family. 
They also had a farm one mile southwest of Princeton, and James McClure 
had a tannery, lie was a man of importance in his day, known through- 
out tin- sparsely settled district and highly respected by all. They were the 
first couple united in marriage by the Rev. Alexander Devine after he came 
to Gibson county and they were also the firsl couple married south of the 
Patoka river. To their union were born ten sons and one daughter. Albert 
P., their oldest, was the first white child horn in Gibson count} of parents 
married in the county. Then there were Edwin, James B., Ella Jane. Joseph 
P., William M.. Henry, David IL. Robert, George W. and John W. The 
only member of this family now living is Robert, who resides in T..,s Angeles, 
California. 

foseph I'. Met lure was the onl) one of the above named large family 



452 GIBSON COUNTY, INDIANA. 

to remain in Gibson county and rear a family. In his youth he received 
only a limited schooling at the early subscription schools and. as was the case 
with most young boys of his time, he was early put to the hard work of 
helping to clear the land and make a home. He remained on the home place 
and on February 13, 1834, was united in marriage to Catherine Ann Devine, 
born in Princeton, a daughter of the Rev. Alexander Devine. The latter 
was the son of William and Sarah Devine and was born March 27, 1769. 
His parents were from Pottsylvania county, Virginia, and he took as his 
wife Sukin Nowlen, daughter of Payton and Lucy Nowlen, of Virginia, 
born March 12. 1771. The Rev. Alexander Devine and wife came to Gib- 
son county in 1808 and he obtained a tract of land on which they lived to 
the day of their death. On this land the Independent Order of ( )< I - 1 Fellows' 
cemeterv is now located. The Rev. Mr. Devine was a man of influence in 
his dav and did much to improve the high mural tone of the growing com- 
munity. They raised a numerous family, as follows: Elizabeth, born Feb- 
ruary 22, 1702; Lucy, born May 6, 1793; James, born June o. 1704: Sukin. 
born September 22, 1706; Sarah, horn February 4. 1700: Alexander, horn 
December 14, 1801 ; Virginia, born June 2, 1803; Joseph, born May 22, 
1805; Robert, born June 22, 1807; Payton Nowlen. born August 5, 1808; 
Mary, born July 5, 1810; Catherine Ann, born July 8. 1812, and Mary Smith, 
born December 23, 1814. 

After their marriage in 1834, Joseph McClure and wife located about 
two miles southeast of Princeton. They purchased the interests of the De- 
vine heirs and on the land so obtained they made their home, farming it to 
the besl advantage the times afforded, and here they both died. Joseph 
McClure was a staunch Republican and was a member of the General Baptist 
church. He and his wife reared a family id" twelve children, namely: Elea- 
nor L. horn June 7. 1835, married James W. Key. of Patoka, Indiana: 
Matw P.., now' deceased, born June 9, 1836, married Henry G. Wheeler, of 
Princeton; Alexander, deceased, born December 22, 1837: Susan Ann, de- 
ceased, horn Mav 10, 1839: James B., deceased, born June 20. 1841 ; Mar- 
garet E. C, deceased, born November 6, 1843: Joseph D., born July 0, 1844. 
now living retired at Evansville. Indiana: Robert M., born September t6, 
1846. residing at Mound City, Kansas; William M.. the immediate subject 
of this sketch, born September 29, 1848; George W., born July 17, 1850. is 
still farming the old homestead; Nancy, born December 15. 1852, wife of 
W. C. Hudleson, of Patoka township: Franklin P. P.. born May Q, 1855, 
also engaged in farming on the old homestead in Patoka township. 



GIBSON COl NTY, INDIANA. 453 

This family discharged its duly to the Union in the dark < the 

sixties in a gratifying manner, sending five of its sons to ihe front, all of 
whom were permitted to pass through the conflict and return home. Alexan- 
der 1)., James, Robert and William M. were members of Coi H, Sev- 
enteenth Indiana Volunteer Infantry, while Joseph I ). enlisted in Company 
F, Thirty-third Regiment. Alexander J. served with special distinction, be 
special scout for Generals Thomas and Wilder, lie was the firsl of the 
McClure sons to die, his death occurring in [i 

William M., the immediate subject of this sketch, enlisted en .March i_>. 
1865. and received his honorable discharge on August 8, 1865. lie was all 
through Kentucky. Tennessee, Alabama and Georgia. After the close of 
the war he returned home and attended school b atei took a 

commercial course at Evansville, Indiana, and engaged in the drug husiness 
in St. Louis for four years. He then returned to Princeton and was asso- 
ciated with B. I!. Estes for about two years. From [878 to [890 he en- 
gaged in farming, when he disposed of his agricultural interests and entered 
the ranks of carpenters and contractors in Princeon, in which work he has 
since engaged. In 1893 nt ' removed his family to Princeton, where they are 
much thought of. Mr. Met lure is a man blessed with a retentive memory. 
to whose st.re of knowledge he is constantly adding. lie is considered a 
man well posted on current events and a man of right principles who stands 
firm on his convictions. Politically, Air. McClure is an earnest supporter of 
the Republican party, while his fraternal affiliations are with the Free and 
Accepted Ma E which order he has been a member for the past twenty- 

five years. Religiously, he is a member of the General Baptist church and 
has always taken a deep interesl in the prosperit) of thai ilso 

a member of \rcher Post No. 28, Grand Army of the Republic. 

Mr. McClure was married in 1878 to Martha !•'.. Latham, of Prenl 
Illinois, a daughter of James and Julia A. Latham. Her father was orig- 
inallv a farmer in (■ ounty. There are nine children in the McClure 

family, namely : Amy Vlice, bom March 30, [881, married Ji .of 

Union township. Gil Julia A.. L 

P. W. Kell. of Princeton: Lester Latham, horn J <\. married 

Catherine Arburn. This son is in the contracting business at Pueblo, Colo- 
rado; Joseph D. D., born July -'3. [887, is a carpenter at Princeton. He 
married Bertha Glazier; Van Raymond was horn April 8, [891, and 
carpenter by trade; Perc} M., horn . remains at home; Jos- 



454 GIBSON COUNTY, INDIANA. 

eph Perry, horn July 17, 1897; Harriet, born December 22. 1899, and Cloyd 
Latrom, born January 12, 1903. The latter three are also at home. 

Personally, Mr. McClure is a man of genial and unassuming character, 
who, because of his genuine worth and staunch integrity, has won and retains 
the unalloyed good will of all who know him. Mrs. McClure is a member 
of the Methodist Episcopal church and is earnest in advancing its cause. 
They have an ideal home and cut of it young folks go forth well fitted to 
battle with the world and come out victorious. 



JOHN MAHAN. 



Of the sturdy sons of the Emerald Isle it has been said that they have 
"won every country's freedom but their own," and a review of the struggle 
against oppression or tyranny in any land will disclose the fact that in the 
forefront of the battle line, if, indeed, not leading it, the valiant lads from 
the land of the harp and shamrock have borne well their part. During the 
dark days of the war between the American states in 1 861 -'65, probably no 
other country furnished more recruits to the ranks of the "boys in blue" 
than did Ireland, and among those worthy defenders of the integrity of their 
adopted country none bore a more noble part or acquitted himself with 
greater honor than the one whose name forms the caption of this brief bio- 
graphical review. Not alone did he acquit himself well in those "times that 
tried men's souls," but in the pursuits of peace his record has been one of 
usefulness, honor and fidelity to the best principles of life. 

John Mahan was born in May, 1838. in county Donegal, Ireland, the 
son of John and Nancy (Peoples) Mahan. both natives of the same county. 
The father was a farmer and died in 1S54, his widow, with five children, 
emigrating to the United States that same year and locating a t Princeton, 
Gibson county. Indiana, where she died in i860. The five children of John 
and Nancy Mahan were Ellen, who married William Marrow and they lived 
in Gibson county, both now being deceased; Samuel, who was a farmer and 
is now deceased, married Alary Marrow; James married Nancy Marrow, 
followed farming and is now deceased: John; Hugh, a farmer in Patoka 
township, married Belle Greer. 

John Mahan had attended school in Ireland, and on the removal of the 
family to this country he resumed his studies in the Gibson countv schools, 



GIBSON COUNTY, [NDIANA. 455 

devoting the remainder of his time to assisting in the farm work on the 
plan oi his uncle, William Marrow, with whom he lived up to the time of 
the outbreak of the Civil war. In May. r86i, Mr. Mahan enlisted in Com- 
pany II , Seventeenth Regiment Indiana Volunteer Infantry, at Princeton, 
Indiana, being sent from that place, with his comrades, to Indianapolis for 
outfitting and preliminary instruction in military duties. The gathei 
clouds of war had by this time burst in all their fury and the command to 
which the subject was attached was quickly rushed to the front, going from 
the Hoosier capital first to Cincinnati and then into the state of Virginia, 
where they took part in the battle of Greenbriar, then being dispatched into 
the Blue Grass state, where they were engaged in the battle of Howling 
Green. From Kentucky the force of which Mr. Mahan was a member went 
to Chattanooga, Tennessee, and joined General Sherman, being with him on 
his famous "march to the sea." The subject's brother Hugh was a member 
of the same company and regiment, and while in the service they were in the 
commands of Generals Haskell and Wilder and .Major Gorman. \t the 
close of the war, in the spring of 1065, the brothers were honorably dis- 
charged. 

Shortly after returning home from his country's service, Mr. Mahan 
was united in marriage to Man Jane Greer, a native of count) Donegal, 
Ireland, the district in which the subject was born. She was the daughter of 
Henry and Jane (Marrow) Greer, who came from the "old sod" to America 
in the early fifties and settled in Patoka township, Gibson county. Indiana, 
where they cleared laud and established their home The father of the 
subject's wife was a Union soldier, a member of Company 11. Seventeenth 
Regiment Indiana Volunteer Infantry. He met his death at Chattanooga, 
Tennessee, being struck by a train on a bridge. The mother is long since 
deceased. To the parents of the subject's wife were bora four children: 
Jane, Mrs. Mahan. who died \pril [3, [895, in her fifty-third year; Bea 
married Hugh Mahan; Sallie is the widow of James Anderson, of I'm 
ton; Henry is a farmer at Princeton. 

After his marriage Mr. Mahan sold his land in Princeton and bought 
land five miles east of that place, built a good home and outbuildings and 
took up the work of developing the place, in which lie was quite successful, 
adding to his original holding until he is now the owner of one hundred and 
eightv acres of a- good land .is can be found in the community. Here he 
lived and carried on general farming until his retirement, when he rented 
his farm and purchased his present home at No. 61 J East State street in 



456 GIBSON COUNTY,, INDIANA. 

Princeton, where he is now living in honorable retirement, reaping the re- 
ward of a well earned rest after a life of worthy endeavor. 

To the subject and his wife were born ten children : John, .Maggie and 
Annie are deceased ; Robert is engaged in the undertaking business in Deming, 
New Mexico; Henry married Margaret McCullough and is fanning on the 
old home place; Ella M. is at heme: Edith is deceased; James married Agnes 
Legier and is farming on the old home place; Ralph is deceased; Everett 
married Stella DePriest. 

Mr. Mahan, who is a remarkably well preserved man for his age, is a 
member of the Grand Army of the Republic, belonging to Archer Post No. 
28, at Princeton, while he is an earnest and faithful member of the United 
Presbvterian church. 



ANDERSON G. M A Kb: M SON. 

It is a pleasure to investigate the career of a successful, self-made man. 
Peculiar honor attaches to that individual who, beginning the great struggle 
of life alone and unaided, gradually overcomes unfavorable environment, re- 
moves one by one the obstacles from the pathway ol uccess and by the master 
stroke^ of hi- ,,i V11 force and vitality succeeds in forging his way to the front 
and winning for himself a competency and a position of esteem and influence 
among his fellow-men. Such is the record of the popular citizen of Gibson 
county to a brief synopsis of whose life and character the following pri:" 
are devoted. 

Andrew G. Alakemson, whose home is at Baldwin Heights, just south of 
Princeton, was born in Gibson county about five miles northeast of Princeton 
on October 24, 1829. His ancestors were among the very first settlers in 
this part of the country. Andrew, his father, was horn in Virginia in 1785. 
of sterling Scotch-Irish stock, and the father of Andrew was Joseph, a native 
of Scotland who brought his wife to America during the Revolutionary war 
and located in Virginia. There their son Andrew was horn and, when he 
was still a small boy, they journeyed westward into Kentucky, locating near 
Shelbvville. Here, on July 30, 181 1. Andrew was united in marriage to 
Margaret Shafer, who was born June 11, 1792. In 1820 Joseph Makemson 
and wife, with their oldest son. Andrew, and his wife, together with Joseph, 
James, Nancy and Sarah, younger children of Joseph, came to Indiana, locat- 
ing in Perry county, bringing with them their horses and household goods. 
However, they were not pleased with their first location and in 1S22 decided 




ANDERSON G. MAKEMSON. 



GIBSON COl .\TY, INDIANA. 457 

to conic on to Gibson county. Andrew made a sled and loaded thereon their 
clothing and bedding and on another horse his young wife rode into Gibson 
county. They secured heavily timbered land laying northeast of Princeton, 

hastily made a small clearing where their cabin was raised and began various 
improvements which all helped to make irtable and happy home. In 

this pionei r home, Andrew, the immediate subject of tch, first saw the 

light of day. There were at that time only five or six other settlers within a 
radius of two or three miles and many were the hardships they endured. 
Joseph Makemson and his wife died on this place and were laid to rest in 
what is now known as the Archer cemetery. James, one of the sons brought 
with them to Indiana, at one time lived near the old hi d, hut later went 

to Illinois, and Sarah, one of the daughters, married James Finney and lived 
southwest of Princeton.. 

Andrew Makemson and wife continued to live on the old homestead until 
removed by death. She died April 6, 1841, and his death occurred December 
9. i860, in his seventy-eighth year. In this old home they reared their. fam- 
ily of eleven children. Joseph, the oldest, was a farmer. His wife was Polly 
Lamasters and both are dead. Nancy Allen was a daughter who died young 
and unmarried, while Sarah became the wife of James Finney and. they went 
to Illinois to make their home. Later they returned to Gibson county and 
both died here. James, deceased, was a carpenter who also lived in Illinois 

a time, hut returned to hi- native county. Another son, William, died 
when small. Benjamin was a farmer, who went to Illinois and later to Kan- 

where lu died. His wife was Elizabeth Townsend. John S., who is 
ars old, is living at Corning. Iowa, a retired carpenter. Mary 
Jane married James Barton 1 both dead) and they made their home in ( ribs 

iitv. The tenth child was Thomas B., who died young, and th 
Margarel \nn. became the wife of Robert Millis, and; they make their home 
in Leavenworth, Kan a Vndrew and wife v rs of the 1 

nanter church, living in strict accordance with the rules of the \ndrew 

was known among his friends as a man of uncompron ising integrity, strict 
and stern in his views, as had been bis father before him. and highly respected 
in the community. 

Anderson G. Makemson had small opportunity for schooling in his boy- 
hood, often having to go as far as three miles through the unbroken forests 
He. however, secured the rudiments of an education and to this store of 
be constantl) added until he came to be considered a well in- 
forr 1. lie was almost wholly self-taught, lie remained on the old 

home until he b& age. taking care of the old folks. After his mother's 



45§ GIBSON COUNTY, INDIANA. 

death, his father remarried, taking as his second wife Ann Murphy, a native 
of Ohio. She died November 22, 1872, without issue. In 1877 Anderson G. 
Makemson sold the old homestead and purchased sixty acres just south of 
Princeton, where he has since resided. Some time ago he disposed of about 
twenty-eight acres to a real estate company which platted the land into town 
lots, giving the addition the name of Baldwin Heights. Mr. Makemson is 
also the owner of a fine eighty-acre farm located east of Princeton. 

On December 12. 1850, Anderson G. Makemson was united in marriage 
to Emeline Murphy, a native of Gibson county, who died May 11, 1896. To 
their union were born eight children, namely : Charles B. and John died 
while young; Monroe, born in 1857, c ^ ec ' H1 1878. The first daughter was 
Belle, born in 1S59, and who married Robert Woodburn, of Princeton. Plettie 
has always lived at home. Mary is the wife of William Davis, of Princeton. 
Lizzie married James Sturgess, a farmer residing in Princeton. Genevieve 
died in 1S70. Hettie was a teacher in the schools of Gibson county for ten 
years and now makes the home for her father. 

Mr. Makemson' s political sympathies are with the Democratic party and 
he has taken an active interest in its affairs. However, he never aspired to 
office, but was ditch commissioner from 1880 to 1886. He is a member of 
Archer Post No. 28 of Princeton, Grand Army of the Republic. 

On December 22, 1864, Mr. Makemson enlisted in Company H, One 
Hundred and Forty-third Regiment Indiana Volunteer Infantry, at Prince- 
ton, and was sent to Nashville, Tennessee. He was also at Tallahassee, Ten- 
nessee, and was mustered out of service in September, 1865. Mr. Makemson 
has always been a plain common man of affairs, who by close attention to 
his business and the best of principles has secured for himself a competence 
and had made for himself an enviable place in the hearts of his many friends. 
He is a man well preserved for his years, a most agreeable man to meet and 
throughout his long life he has stood in the forefront of those who have tried 
in every way to improve the tone of the community. 



FLOYD J. BIGGS. 



There could be no more comprehensive history written of a city or even 
of a state and its people than that which deals with the life-work of those 
who, by their own endeavor and indomitable energy, have placed them- 
selves where they well deserve the title of "prominent and progressive," and 



GIBSON COUNTY, INDIANA. (.59 

in this sketch will be found the record oi one who has outstripped the less 
active and less able trodders on the highway of life and who today occupies 
an enviable position in his community. 

Floyd J. Biggs was born in Webster county, Kentucky. August 17, 
1873. and is a son of Alonzo C. and Charlotte J. ( Hall) Biggs. The father, 
who followed the mercantile and grain business during his active life, died 
in 1906 and his widow is now living at Tucson, Arizona. Mr. Biggs at- 
tended the common schools of Waverly, Kentucky, and later was a student 
in Cecilian College at Cecilian, that state, where he graduated, and then he- 
came a student in the School of Pharmacy at Louisville, Kentucky, where 
he was graduated and received his degree. At the age of twenty-one years 
.Mr. Biggs became a member of the firm of Biggs, Waller & Company, drug- 
gists, at Morganneld, Kentucky, but about a year later he came to Princeton, 
Indiana, and established himself in the drug business on the public square. 
From 1895 to 1910 he occupied that locality, and was prosperous to such a 
degree that he was compelled to seek larger quarters, and in the year last 
named he moved to his present fine store on the corner of Hart and State 
streets. This is not only one of the largest drug stores in southern Indiana, 
but has one of the largest and best selected stocks, valued a1 about twenty-five 
thousand dollars, and comprising a full line of splendid drugs and proprietary 
medicines, wall paper, paints, books and druggists' sundries, and a beautiful 
soda fountain, which occupies a conspicuous position in the room. Mr. 
Biggs has, by strict attention to business and the exercise of sound judgment 
in the management of his affairs, achieved a pronounced success and for a 
number of years has been numbered among Princeton's most substantial 
business men. 

In 1909 Mr. Biggs was married to Celeste Prince Downey, daughter of 
\Y. J. and Octavia (Hall) Downey, both of whom were natives of the state 
of Indiana, the father born in Posey county and the mother in Gibson county. 
They were among the early resident-, of this county and are representatives 
of prominent old families of this community, the town of Princeton havi 
been named for the Prince family and Hall street of this city for the Hall 
family. To Mr. and Mrs. Biggs has been born one child. Nancy Celeste, 
now four years of age. The family now reside in a splendid and attractive 
home on South Hall street, where the spirit of hospitality is always in evi- 
dence and which is a favorite gathering place for the many friends of the 
family. Fraternally, Mr. Biggs is a member of the Free and Accepted 
Mason-., the Knights of Pythias and the Benevolenl and Protective < >rder 



460 GIBSON COUNTY, INDIANA. 

of Elks, in the workings of which orders he takes an appreciative interest. 
In every relation of life Mr. Biggs has been true to his highest ideals, and 
today no man in his community stands better in the public estimation than 
he, for he has at all times stood for the best things in life and for the advance 
of the community alono- all lines. 



RICHARD MONTGOMERY. 

It is a well attested fact that the greatness of a community or a state 
lies not in the machinery of government nor even in its institutions, but 
rather in the sterling qualities of the individual citizen, in his capacity for 
high and unselfish effort and his devotion to the public welfare. In these 
particulars he whose name appears at the head of this review has conferred 
honor and dignity upon his locality, and as an elemental part of history it is 
consonant that there should be recorded a resume of his career, with the 
object in view of noting his connection with the advancement of one of the 
most flourishing and progressive sections of the commonwealth, as well as 
his official relations with the administration of the public affairs of the 
county honored by his citizenship. 

Richard Montgomery was born in Patoka township, Gibson county, 
Indiana, about three miles west of his father"s old homestead, on September 
18, 1839. His parents were Greenberry and Eliza (Fitzgerald) Montgom- 
ery, the father born at Owensville. Indiana, and the mother in Patoka town- 
ship. The subject's paternal grand father, James Montgomery, was a native 
of Kentucky, as was his wife, and they were among the earl}- settlers in 
Gibson county, locating near ( (wensville Here the father, who was a farm- 
er, secured a tract of wild land, which he cleared and which In iped 
into a splendid farm. To them were born the following children. Mack. 
Richard, James, Greenberrv, America, who became the wife of John Raker; 
Martha, who became the wife of Peter Smith; Jane, the wife of Frank 
Daughertv. and Polly, the wife of John Robb. Greenberry Montgomery was 
reared on his father's farm and had but little opportunity to attend school. 
On attaining mature years he bought a tract of wild land in Patoka town- 
ship, which he cleared and there created a comfortable home, owning two 
hundred and sixty acres of land. He was a hard-working man and his wife, 
who was a woman of large and powerful physique, did nearly as much 



GIBSON COUNTY, INDIANA. 41,1 

manual labor as he did in the work of clearing the land and putting it into 
crop. They were well known and highly respected in the community, where 
they resided during the remainder of their lives. Mr. Montgomery was a 
Whig in politics in early life, but later became identified with the Republican 
party. Their children were as follows: James, deceased, was a tanner in 
Patoka township, and married Nancy Griffin; John, deceased, married first 
Sarah Perkins; second, Bessie Pritchett, and third, Maggie Barnett; Will- 
iam, deceased, was a farmer in Patoka township, married Anna Woods, who 
now lues 111 thai township; he was a veteran of the Civil war; Thomas, who 
lives on a part of the old homestead in Patoka township, and who was a 
veteran of the Civil war, married Delia Ivinelly ; Willis, deceased, married 
Lizzie Porker; Parmelia, deceased, was twice married, first t« > Sanderson 
Emberton, and second to James Woods; Victoria is the wife of Rob 
Corn, of Evansville, Indiana; Martha is the wife of L. Olmstead, of Patoka 
township, this county; Nora, deceased, was the wife of Charles Flori 
Richard, the subject of this sketch. 

Richard Montgomery was deprived of the opportunity of securing a 
school education in his youth, his early years being given unremittingly to 
the work of the home farm, where he remained until his marriage in 186] 
He and his wife then lived on the old homestead in Patoka township until 
August 9. 1862, when he enlisted as a private in Company A. Eightieth 
Regiment Indiana Volunteer Infantry, his wife going i" sta} with her own 
people while he was out in the defense of his country. He was first sent to 
Evansville, where he joined his regiment, and then back to Princeton and on 
to Covington, Kentucky. The command was sent from there to Louisville, 
and then to I 'erryville, where they took part in an engagement with the 
enemy on October 8, 1862. The Eightieth Regiment was assigned to the 
first Brigade, Twenty-third Army Corps, with which they took part in the 
battles of T'errvsville. Marrow Bone. Kingston, 'Tennessee, Moss) Creek, 
Buzzard Roost, Resaca, Dallas Hills. Lost Mountain. Kenesau Mountain, 
siege of Atlanta, which lasted from July 10 to Uigusl 9, [864, Lovejoy Sta- 
tion, Boone Gap, Franklin, Tort Anderson. North Carolina, Washington 
and Goldsboro, North Carolina, and on June 2, [865, Mr. Montgomery was 
honorably discharged from the service, being paid off at [ndianapolis. Dur- 
ing his period of service he traveled eight thousand two hundred and forty- 
six miles, two thousand fifty by water, twenty-four hundred and fortv-five 
by rail and thirty-seven hundred and fifty on fo.it. \fter hi- return from 
the war. Mr. Montgomery bought a part .if the old homestead of fohnson 



462 GIBSON COUNTY, INDIANA. 

Fitzgerald, and here he and his wife established a home and carried on farm- 
ing success full)' until 1905, when they sold the farm and retired from active 
labor, now living at No. 618 South Hall street, Princeton. They are both 
remarkably well preserved physically and are now situated to enjoy life to 
the utmost. .Mr. Montgomery has gone through some trying experiences, 
but despite his army hardships and strenuous labor required in his life work 
as a farmer, he has come to the sunset of life's journey well preserved, and 
is now prepared to quieth enjoy the remaining years of his life. 

On October 3, 1861, Mr. Montgomery was married to Mary Jane Alsop, 
who was born east of Owensville, Indiana, the daughter of Reuben and 
Willie Ann 1 Smith 1 Alsop. Her father, who was a native of Gibson county, 
Indiana, died in 1844, and his widow afterward became the wife of Johnson 
Fitzgerald, of Virginia, who was a veteran of the Indian wars, having served 
in the battle of Tippecanoe. He came to Gibson county in 1810, settling in 
Patoka township, and died in 1886, at the age of seventy-six years. He was 
one of the foremost and most enterprising men of his period and was the 
owner of one of the first saw and grist mills in this locality, being run by 
water power. He was also a successful farmer and was widely known 
throughout southern Indiana. Mrs. Montgomery was the only child born 
to her parents. To Mr. and Mrs. Montgomery have been born eight children, 
namely: Martha Jane is the wife of Thomas Wright, of Fort Branch, and 
they have one child, Loren; Lorenzo, who is engaged with the Southern Rail- 
road Company at Baldwin Heights, married Minnie Newberry, and they 
have one child, Roy; Emma is the widow of Major Wright, of Baldwin 
Heights, and is the mother of three children, Bessie, Otto and Jesse; Pearl 
lives at Flarrison. Arkansas; Justus Elmer and Jesse Ellis are twins; the 
former, who is a farmer in Patoka township, married Nannie Powers, and 
they have three children, Roscoe, Willis and Harvey G. ; Jesse Ellis, who 
lives in Patoka township, married Florence Embree. and they have four 
children, Gertrude, Mildred, Richard and John; John Montgomery died in 
youth; Grace is the wife of James A. Lhuring, of Princeton, Indiana, and 
they have one child, Thelma Laverne. 

Politically. Mr. Montgomery is a stanch Republican, while, religiously, 
he and his wife are members of the Baptist church, belonging to the White 
church in Patoka township. At one time Mr. Montgomery was a member 
of the Grand, Army of the Republic at Princeton. In all the essential ele- 
ments of good citizenship Mr. Montgomery is a man among men and by his 
earnest life, sturdy integrity and strict regard for the highest ethics he has 



GIBSON COUNTY, [NDIANA. 463 

earned and retains the warm regard of all who know him. He gives his 
support to every movement which promises to he of material or moral bene- 
fit to the people, and because of his success in life and his genuine worth he 
is eminently entitled to representation in this work. 



JOHN K. PEOPLES. 

It is an axiom demonstrated by human experience that industry is the 
keynote of prosperity. Success comes not to the man who idly waits, but to 
the faithful toiler whose work is characterized by sleepless vigilance and 
cheerful celerity, and it has been by such means that John K. Peoples, popu- 
lar and enterprising groceryman of Princeton, has forged to the front and 
won an honorable place among the substantial citizens of Gibson county. 

John K. Peoples was born in Princeton, Gibson county, Indiana. De- 
cember 5, 1875, the son of William and Melvina L. ( Carithers) Peoples. 
The father was a native of Ireland and emigrated to the United States when 
he was seventeen years of age. coming direct from the East to Princeton, 
where he settled and loll,, wed agriculture and the mercantile business until 
his death, which occurred in 1895 in Princeton. The subject's mother is 
still living, residing on East State street in Princeton. 

The early education of the subject was acquired in the common and 
high schools of his native city, and on reaching mature years he was em- 
ployed as a clerk in a grocery store, which occupation he followed until [9 
when he engaged in business on bis own account. His establishment was 
located in the building in which was formerly E. P. Downey's grocery. 
By constant attention to details and by exercising a desire to please his 
patrons, Mr. Peoples has built up a large and profitable trade, always keep- 
ing <m hand the best goods in every line, choosing rather to refuse to buy 
goods of an inferior quantity than to attempt to sell such to his customers. 
Following out this policy of serving his patrons with dependable merchan- 
dise, the subject has gained a reputation for himself that may well he envied. 
\ grocery stock valued at from four to five thousand dollars is carried, in 
addition to a line of chinaware. 

On June 29, 1911, Mr. Peoples was united in the bonds of matrimony 
to \nna McConaley, daughter of A. P. and Martha (Stormont) McConaley, 
old settlers in the community and both still living in the county. To the 
subject and wife has been born one child. F.loise V. 



464 GIBSON COUNTY, INDIANA. 

Mr. Peoples is a member of the Reformed Presbyterian church. He 
and his family live at No. ^27, East State street in Princeton, where they have 
a very comfortable and hospitable home, over which Mrs. Peoples- presides 
in a praiseworthy manner, making their home the center of a happy social 
circle. 

The qualities which have made Mr. Peoples one of the prominent and 
successful men of Princeton have also brought him the esteem of his fellow 
townsmen, for, although comparatively a young man, his career has been 
one of well-directed energy, strong determination and honorable methods, 
and he is an excellent representative of the wide-awake, enterprising and 
successful American business man. 



DAVID A. DAVISON. 



In nearly every community are individuals who. by innate ability and 
sheer force of character, rise above their fellows and win for themselves con- 
spicuous places in public esteem. Such an one is the well-known gentleman 
whose name appears above, a man who has been identified with the history 
of Gibson county for a number of years, during which period his life has 
been closely interwoven with the material growth and development of his 
nly, while his career as a progressive man of affairs has been synonymous 
with all that is upright and honorable in citizenship. 

David A. Davison wa^ born in Marshall. Illinois, on March 11. 1866, 
son of Reese and Catharine (Wayrick) Davison, the father being a native 
of Ohio anil the mother of Virginia. The father was a farmer throughout 
his active years and still lives in Clark county. Illinois. He was born in 1830 
and his wife in 1S2S. Both are faithful and earnest members of the Meth- 
odist church, and enjoy the respect of the entire community in which they 
live. The}' were the parents of eight children, of whom six are living, 
namely: George P.. of Terre Haute, Indiana; Lyman P.. of Los Angeles, 
California; Burns L T ., an attorney of Marshall, Illinois; John H., a druggist 
at Marshall; Charles I)., a farmer in Clark county. Illinois, and David A., 
the subject of this sketch. The latter received his elementary education in 
the public schools of Marshall. Illinois, later attending the Indiana State 
Normal School at Terre Haute. Then, having determined to take up the 
veterinary profession as his life work, he became a student in Chicago Veter- 
inarv College, where he graduated in 1892, receiving the degree of Doctor 



GIBSON COl \ l Y. [NDIANA. 465 

hi Veterinary Science. He immediately entered upon active practice oi his 
profession at Marshall, Illinois, where he remained for six years, and then 
he came to Princeton, establishing himself here on May 28, [898. He has 
been successful in his profession here to an unusual degree, and enjoys a 
wide-spread reputation as a successful veterinarian, being called to man) parts 
aside ln>m his home town in the practice of his profession. He has erected 
a fine two-story brick hospital, into which he moved on June 15, 1907, and 
which is finely equipped in even respeel for the treatment of horse diseases, 
including an operating table, foot tub and an elevator to lift the horses to the 
second story. For about a year Doctor Davison was the proprietor of a 
drug store here, which is now known as the H. G. May store. 

On May 27. 1891, Doctor Davison was married to Alice M. Harris, of 
Marshall, Illinois, daughter of Milton and Mary E. Harris, and to them have 
been born three children. Mane, Burns 1 1, and Helen. 

Politically, Doctor Davison is an ardent Republican and in November, 
190c), he was elected mayor of Princeton, assuming the duties ol his office 
on January 3rd. following. As mayor, Doctor Davison has won some hard- 
fought battles, some of which terminated in the court, but he has had the 
satisfaction of winning in each instance. 1 [e has been impartial in enforcing 
the law. knowing neither friend nor foe, ami has been unrelenting in his pur- 
suit of wmng doing and vice of ever) nature. His police court has been 
conducted in an impartial manner and. though he has had some tion 

and has actually created some enmity, he is now strong in the lice and 

eem of the best element of the populace. Fraternally, he is a member of 
the Benevolent and Protective Order of Elks and the >f Ben-Hur. 

Mrs. Davison and the children are members of the United Presbyterian 
church. The Doctor has taken an active part in afl 

ion and served as treasurer of the Ohio Vallej Vel for 

.•11 years, and is fourth vice-president of the Indiana gue. 

As a man, Doctor Da is easily the peer of am of his fellow 1 1 all 

that constitutes upright living and correct citizenship. lie is and 

intelligent observer and takes pains to keep himself well informed upon cur- 
rent events. He is quiet in demeanor, a thinkei nan of action rather 
than words. He is essentially a man of the people, because he has large 
faith in humanity and is optimistic in all of hi 1 - The high esteem 
in which he is held by the pi his community is a worthy tribul 
successful a man. and he deserves a nous place on the roster of G 
son county's progressive and representative citizens. 
(30) 



466 GIBSON COUNTY, INDIANA. 

CAPT. JAMES H. BALLARD. 

It should be a source of gratification to us if we can point to our an- 
cestors and say that their reputations were always above the reproach of 
their fellow men, their careers being free from the shadow of wrong or the 
suspicion of evil. This Capt. James H. Ballard can do, although he modestly 
refrains from any undue laudation of his family history, but those who are 
conversant with the facts regarding this sterling old Virginia stock will not 
hesitate to speak of their good qualities and their honorable lives. 

James H. Ballard was born August 17, 1838, in Albemarle count). 
Virginia, the son of Thomas and Lucy B. ( Duke) Ballard. Thomas Ballard 
was born in the same county in Virginia as his son James, on a farm settled 
on by the subject's great-grandfather. Mr. Ballard retains possession of 
the original deed to the land, signed by Robert Dinwiddie, of Virginia, a 
governor in colonial times, the document being dated 1752. The subject's 
father was a farmer and flour mill man and in the early days a slaveholder. 
He died at Pittsylvania Court House, Virginia, in 1873, his wife passing 
away at the old home place three years previous. 

Captain Ballard was educated in the common schools of Virgina and 
was attending the Mossy Creek College when his health failed and he was 
compelled to relinquish his studies, thereafter engaging in the collection busi- 
ness for two years, at the end of which time, on May 11, 1861, he enlisted 
in Company K. Second Virginia Cavalry, which was a part of Gen. Robert 
E. Lee's army. Mustered in as a private, the subject soon was commissioned 
captain and with his company took part in many of the great battles of the 
war, among them the battle at Manassas, the Valley campaign with Jackson, 
the Seven Days' fighting around Richmond, Fredericksburg, the Wilderness, 
Seven Forks, Winchester and Five Forks. The Captain was three times 
wounded. One horse was shot to death under him and two others wounded. 
At the battle of Five Forks he received a severe wound in the shoulder, 
which compelled him to retire from the service of the Confederacy. 
On returning to his home, Captain Ballard was appointed deputy internal 
revenue collecter and served in that capacity and as chief deputy marshal 
for fourteen years, at the expiration of which time he removed to Knox- 
ville, Tennessee, and engaged in the dairy business for three years, then 
going to Texas, remaining in the Lone Star state until 1896. Going to Fort 
Smith, Arkansas, in the latter year, he accepted the position of clerk in the 
Grand Central hotel at that place, which position he resigned after a short 



GIBSON COUNTY, INDIANA. 467 

term of service to accept a position in the clerical ami collection department 
of the Princeton Water Company, in which capacity he was employed until 
his retirement. 

On May 18. 1863, Captain Ballard was married to Sarah A. White- 
head, and to this union were born eight children, as follows: Jimmie Lee 
is a railroad man employed in the shops at Knoxville, Tennessee; Ellis R. met 
his death in a railway accident at Roanoke City, Virginia; Robert is a minister 
of the Methodist Episcopal faith at Crossville, Tennessee; Fred was a non- 
commissioned officer in the United States army in the war with Spain, and 
was killed in Porto Rico; two children died in infancy; Henry lives at 
Knoxville, Tennessee, and is a railroad man; Douglas is employed in the 
railroad shops at Princeton. 

Captain Ballard was married on May 18, 1905, to Mary E. Fentriss, 
daughter of James H. and Johanna (Skinner) Fentriss. James H. Fentriss 
was born and reared in Princeton, was a harness-maker and served 1 1 is 
county as recorder for four years. He was the father of four children, all 
of whom are living. Fraternally, he was affiliated with the Independent 
Order of Odd Fellows in early life, while he was a supporter of the Demo- 
cratic party. 

Captain Ballard has been a Republican in politics, but has never let his 
allegiance to that party interfere with his judgment when it came to a choice 
of what he considered the best men for any office. Fraternally, he is affil- 
iated with the Masonic order, and is a consistent member of the First Meth- 
odist Episcopal church. 



JAMFS W LEWIS, 

What a wonderful heritage a man gives his children, in passing from 
this life, when he leaves behind him a knowledge of an active life well spent 
and evidences of the good he bad accomplished for his age and community. 
To be considered the foremost man of his count} in his day, a leader in all 
things pertaining to the welfare of the community, does not fall to the lot 
of many men. and only those who arc truly great in heart and mind, of in- 
domitable energy and unfailing optimism, arc capable of winning the trust 
and confidence which places them in the leadership in matters of public 
good, especially in a new section. This cheering knowledge is possi I by 
the children of Andrew Lewis, among them being the subject of this sketch. 



468 GIBSON COUNTY, INDIANA. 

James W. Lewis first saw the light of day in the old Lagow House at 
Princeton, Gibson county. Indiana, on December 22, 1846. his father being 
owner and proprietor of the Lagow I louse at that time. Mr. Lewis is the 
son of Andrew and Eliza A. (Evans) Lewis. Andrew Lewis was a native 
of Pennsylvania, having been born in Lewisberry, that state, which town was 
founded by his paternal grandfather, Eli Lewis, an old and honored physi- 
cian. Eli Lewis has placed himself on record in the history of his state, by 
giving to the town he founded his family name. 

The subject of this sketch has additional cause for pride in his ancestors 
in the fact that his mother was a niece of Gen. Robert M. Evans, who 
founded the city of Evansville, Indiana, although she was born and reared 
in Princeton. General Evans was quite active in the early military affairs of 
the state, when the red men were constantly annoying the whites. Grand- 
father Evans was in the battle of Tippecanoe, being wounded there, which 
eventually caused his death in 1836. 

Andrew Lewis, father of the subject, came to Gibson county, Indiana, 
from his native state of Pennsylvania, in either the year i8-)2 or 1843, the 
exact date not being known. He was twice married, his first wife being Jane 
Ann McCann, a native of Pennsylvania. To this union was born one (.laugh- 
ter, who is Mrs. Adeline M. Thornton, of Washington, D. C. Eor many 
years Andrew Lewis engaged in the practice of medicine, winning the 
hearts of his patrons through his skill and sincere interest in them. He took 
an active interest in politics, so far as his other duties permitted, and served 
as clerk of Gibson county for one term. Being a man of keen enterprise 
and foresight, he saw an opportunity in handling grain, and fur a time gave 
his attention to the flour-mill business and buying and selling of grain. 

i laving at an early date become identified with the leading movements 
of his community, the project of the old Wabash and Erie canal strongly 
appealed to him and he gave of his time and ability toward its accomplish- 
ment. He was much, interested in railroading, then in it> earliest infancy, 
and always being anxious to obtain for his adopted part of the country all 
advantages possible at that time, he became one of the projectors of the old 
"Air Line" or Southern Railroad, being, 111 fact, one of the original con- 
tractors who built a portion of the road. 

There are today in Princeton many landmarks which stand as monu- 
ments to the memory of this versatile man. and it is with regret that we 
record that he lost a fortune of six hundred thousand dollars in railroad 



GIBSON COUNTY, INDIANA. 469 

contracting. \jnong other works in Princeton, his line residence and the 
Zenith mill still remain. 

Mr. Lewis was in every respect a man worthy of the name, and as 
"man is the noblest work of God," his useful life was surely pleasing to his 
Creator, lie departed this life March 10, 1877. regretted by all who knew 
him and admired by many who had never had the pleasure of a personal 
acquaintance, lie left his wife and live children, the eldest being James \\\. 
subject of this sketch; Malissa J., who married Robert Douglas, formerly 
in the book business in Indianapolis, and who is now dead; Rankin F... who 
makes his home at the Columbia Club in Indianapolis; Andrew, who resides 
here in Princeton and is cashier of the American Trust Company, and Will- 
iam H.. who lives in Indianapolis. Airs. Andrew Lewis survived her hus- 
band not quite two years, passing away November 4, 1S78. a fitting wife for 
such a man. 

James \Y. Lewis attended the public schools of Princeton until the age 
of fifteen. At that time the Civil war broke out and, notwithstanding his 
tender rears, he was so tired with patriotism and so anxious to take up arms 
that his father sent him from home, hoping the novelty of his surroundings 
in the boarding school he had selected at Fergusonville, Xew York, would 
cool his ardor to a degree suitable t" his years. This had the desired effect 
for a time, but after one year East, he returned home and. in spite of parental 
objection, he entered the ranks of the boys in blue, enlisting in Company C, 
Fifty-eighth Regiment Indiana Volunteer Infantry, and saw eighteen months 
of service. He was with Sherman when the Union forces were working 
their way to Atlanta, driving the Confederates before them, and made one 
of the number in that memorable march to the sea; thence back up through 
the Carolinas ami on to Washington. Me was in the Grand Review in 
Washington, in May, [865, when President Lincoln viewed the returning 
troops and when great crowds of cheering spectators lined the streets. After 
the war was ended and he had received his honorable discharge, he returned 
to Princeton, where he has since resided. 

On November j. [869, Mr. lewis was married t< 1 Anna I.. Johnsl 
daughter of Xew ton II. and Rachael Johnston, the ceremom occurring in 
the old Lagow House in which he was born. Mr. Johnston having some time 
previously purchased this hostelry from Andrew Lewis Mr. Johnson was 
a native of Meadville. Pennsylvania, who had come west i" Evansville, In- 
diana, and from there to Princeton. 

Three children have been born to lames W. and Anna L. 1 [ohnstonl 



47° GIBSON COUNTY, INDIANA. 

Lewis, the oldest being Alice M., wife of J. O. Sevedge, who makes her home 
with her father; James F., who resides in Princeton and who took as his 
wife Lilly Redmon; and the youngest, Harold W., also of Princeton, who 
married Delia Milburn, and they have one child, sole grandchild of the 
family. 

James W. Lewis is a worthy son of his father and has filled positions of 
trust. For four years he served as deputy sheriff and for ten years was 
claim agent and special man for the Southern Railroad. He has now re- 
tired from public interests, devoting himself to the management of his farm- 
ing interests, comprising two hundred and fort}- acres in Center township. 
Gibson county, and other properties elsewhere, all of which attest his sound 
business judgment and integrity. 

Mr. Lewis holds no fraternal affiliations other than the honored Grand 
Army of the Republic, and, as might be expected, politically is a staunch Re- 
publican of the old school. Such families as that of which Mr. Lewis is a 
member stand for the highest and best in any community, advocates of all 
that makes life most worth living, incentives and examples to those of less 
favored parentage and earl} - training-. 



PHTLTP M. ANDERSON. 

The gentleman whose life history the biographer here takes under re- 
view is one of those strong, sturdy characters who has contributed largely to 
the welfare of the community where he lives, being a man of more than 
ordinary sagacity and foresight, and as a citizen, public spirited and pro- 
gressive in all that the term implies. He is a native of the Hoosier state, 
having been born at Madison. Jefferson count}-, on April 7, 1832. He is the 
son of \Yilson and Ann (Monroe) Anderson, both of whom were natives of 
the state of Kentucky, born near Lexington. When yet children they were 
both brought to Gibson count}-. Indiana, by their parents, where they grew 
to maturity. To their union were born ten children. Three died in infancy 
and Mary, Nancy and Serilda died after reaching years of maturity. Cynthia 
is still living in Terre Haute. Indiana, at the advanced age of ninety-five 
years; James lives in Yincennes, Indiana; John resides at Oakland City, Indi- 
ana, and Philip, the immediate subject of this sketch, has for some years past 
made his home in Princeton. He is the oldest son and the fifth child in the 



GIBSON COUNTY, INDIANA. 4/1 

family. Wilson Anderson, the father, in his young manhood secured a tract 
of wild land, and then began the laborious task of clearing it and getting it 
under cultivation. In this he was ably assisted by his faith fid wife and 
together they endured the hardships and grinding toil, the lot of the pioneers, 
winning a home and subsistence from the reluctant soil, and there their large 
family was reared. All his life was passed on a farm. Eventually he dis- 
posed of his interests in Jefferson count}- and removed to Gibson county, 
where he died at the age of ninety-four years, well known and respected by 
all. He was a consistent member of the Methodist Episcopal church and a 
staunch Democrat. He took an active interest in politics, although he never 
aspired to any office. 

Philip M. Anderson, when young, had only the limited opportunity for 
education possible to the children of the rural districts at that time. He at- 
tended the subscription schools of his neighborhood, receiving sound ele- 
mentary training, largely supplemented by reading and study in later years. 
He remained at home with his father until twenty-' >ne years of age. 

Mr. Anderson was first married in February, 1857, to Mary Beavers, a 
native of Virginia, daughter of John Beavers, also of Virginia, who had a • 
to Jefferson county, Indiana, at an early date, where he and his wife passed 
the remainder of their lives. He was a farmer. Two children were born to 
Philip and Man (Beavers) Anderson: Martha Ann, who married John 
Harlan, of Tulsa, Oklahoma, and who has three children, William, .Monroe 
and Walter; and Minnie E., wife of David E. Smith, a carpenter of Prince- 
ton. To them were born three children: bred, living in Princeton; Minnie. 
stenographer with the Southern Railroad Company at Princeton, and a child 
who died in infancy. Mary Beavers Anderson died in 1866. 

In 1807 Mr. Anderson was married to Martha J. Mills, of Princeton, her 
father being a native of Maine. She died in the spring of (899. Mr. 
Anderson's third wife was Julia Zimmerman, daughter of John Zimmerman, 
of Gibson county. 

In 1858, the year after his first marriage, Mr. Anderson came to Gibson 
county, Indiana. He was a cooper by trade when a young man and later took 
up carpentery, at which he worked for several years. His wife inherited a 
farm in Washington township, Gibson county, on which he lived for eight 
years, when he removed to Princeton and has retired from active life. 

Mr. Anderson is a member of the Grand Arnn of the Republic. He 
was at the front eighteen months during the Civil War. A member of Com- 
panv E, Forty-second Regiment Indiana Volunteer Infantry, he was sent with 



47- GIBSON COUNTY, INDIANA. 

his command to Evansville, later to Henderson. Kentucky, and on to Nash- 
ville and into Alabama under command of General Buell. He was neither 
sick nor wounded while in service. 

Mr. Anderson's religious sympathies are with the Methodist Episcopal 
church, of which he has been a member for many years. In all the affairs of 
life Mr. Anderson has proved himself an honorable and upright man, well 
posted on the affairs of his day and thoroughly worthy of the high esteem 
in which he is held by his manv warm friends in Gibson county. 



LUCIUS C EMBREE. 



No compendium such as the province of this work defines in its essential 
limitations will serve to offer a lit testimonial to the life and accomplishments 
oi Lucius C. Embree, who for a long lapse of years has been one of the best 
known legal lights in southern Indiana — a man notable for the breadth of his 
wisdom, his indomitable perseverance, his strong individuality, and vet one 
whose entire life has not one esoteric phase, being able to bear tbe closest 
scrutiny. His entire accomplishment but represents the result of the fit 
utilization of the innate talent which is his, and the directing of those efforts 
along lines where mature judgment and rare discrimination have led the way. 
There is in Mr. Embree a weight of character, a native sagacity, a far-seeing 
judgment and a fidelity of purpose that has commanded the respect of all. 
and today he stands in the very front rank of his profession in Indiana." Mr. 
Embree has had the advantage of being the son of a man of affairs, also a 
lawyer by profession, an officer of rank in the Civil war and a leading man 
in his community all his life. 

Lucius C. Embree is the son of James Thomas and Mary Magdalene 
(Landis) Embree, a native of Staunton. Virginia, and was bom September 
8, 1853, in Princeton, Gibson count), Indiana. The family is identified with 
the earliest history of Gibson county, and throughout its generations have 
been among the foremost citizens. Joshua Embree. great-grandfather of the 
immediate subject of this sketch, came to Gibson county from Lincoln county, 
Kentucky, in 181 1. He was a farmer and died the first year of his residence 
in ( ribson county. His will was the first ever probated in this county. 

Elisha Embree, grandfather of Lucius C. Embree, was also born in Lin- 
coln county, Kentucky, and came to Indiana with his father in 1811. He, 
too, was an agriculturist and also a lawyer. He was judge in the circuit 




LUCIUS C. EMBREE 



'.I BSON COUNTY, I NDIANA. 473 

court of Gibson county from [835 to [845. His wife was Eleanor Robb, 
daughter of David Robb, a prominent pioneer of Gibson county, a member 
of the constitutional convention and also of the state Senate. They reared 
a famih of four children: James T. ; David L. who became a prominent 
lawyer in Princeton and died in 1877: .Maria Louisa and Milton P. The 
family was brought up in the tenets of the Methodist Episcopal church, and 
for many years Elisha Embree was superintendent of the Sunday school 
oi his church. He was prominent in the politics of Gibson county in his daw 
and in [847 defeated Robert Dale Owen for Congress. He received the 
Whig nomination for governor of the state of Indiana in 184') on declining 
to run again for Congress, but was defeated owing to the district being 
against him politically. At the outbreak of the Civil war he took a keen 
interest in the various questions of the day and greatly regretted his ad- 
vanced age, which prohibited him from active service. During the time lie 
was a member of 1 'ongress, he made the acquaintance of Abraham Lincoln, 
and together with him, Elihu P>. Washburn and others, lived at the same 
boarding- house. Upon his retirement from the bench in 1845 he discontinued 
the practice of law until in 1852, at which time he and his son. James T. 
1 father of Lucius C. Embree), opened up offices together and in tin's con- 
nection they continued until his death in [862. Mis was an honorable and 
upright life, greatly dignifying and uplifting the community at large. 

James T. Embree, father of Lucius C. Embree, was born and raised in 
Gibson county. He was a graduate of \slnirv College, now- DePauw Uni- 
versity, and also of the law department of the Indiana State University at 
Bloomington. He began the practice of law in Princeton in 1852 and con- 
tinued same until the commencement of the Civil war. when he went to the 
front as major of the Fifty-eighth Regiment Indiana Volunteer Infantry, and 
served until compelled to resign on account of ill health. Mis interest in 
the cause, hoi ever, did not diminish and he gave valuable assistance in raising' 
troops. This service brought him into contact with Oliver P. Morton, then 
governor of the state, with whom he formed a al friendship, as 

well as with Miles Fletcher, a state officer at that time. Another friendship 
in which he took much pleasure was thai of Hon. I >aniel Vorhees and. in spite 
of the wide divergence of political opinions, the) remained warm friends 
until separated hv death, llis marriage to Mis. Landis occurred in [852, the 
year he began the practice of law. To them were born four children : Lucius 
I "Dwell: Jessie Fremont, who died at tin- age of five, July 30, 1861 ; Samuel 
I andis, who died January 24, 1903: and Elisha Robb, whose death occurred 



4/4 GIBSON COUNTY, INDIANA. 

February 21, 1898. Mrs. Embree died on July 21, 1863, and for his second 
wife Air. Embree chose Louisa Catherine Lockhart, by whom he had one 
daughter, who is now Mrs. Eleanor Houts, of San Francisco, California. 
Mr. Embree's death occurred August 3, 1867. He was a worthy son of his 
excellent father and at all times gave his influence to whatever cause advanced 
the public welfare of his community. 

Lucius C. Embree received his elementary education in the public 
schools of Princeton, graduating from the high school. He then attended 
Earlham College, at Richmond, Indiana, for a short time, later spending 
some time in study at Asbury College at Greencastle, Indiana, and then 
matriculated in the law school of the University of Virginia. On August 
10, 1877, he began the practice of law in Princeton together with James E. 
McCullough. now assistant attorney-general of the state of Indiana. After 
this partnership was severed, he practiced alone for a number of years, 
later entering into partnership with Martin W. Fields, which partnership con- 
tinued for one year. He had later associated with him Willis P. Howe, now 
deceased, and also Luther Benson. Since 1907 he has practiced together 
with his son Morton and they maintain an interesting partnership. However, 
the greater amount of his time in his profession has been spent alone. By 
friends he has been induced to serve on the school board, which service has 
been appreciated by all. 

On December 29, 1880, Mr. Embree joined in wedlock with Luella 
Casev, daughter of William J. and Charlotte M. Casey, of Patoka, Indiana. 
Four children have been born to them : James Case}', who is a civil engineer, 
associated with the Canadian & N< irthern Pacific railroad in British Columbia ; 
Morton Casey, attorney and partner of his father; Louise and Clotilde, who 
remain at home. Mr. Embree is a member of the time-honored order of Free 
and Accepted Masons. All his life he has endorsed the principles of the 
Republican party and stands as an advocate of purity in politics as well as in 
all other relations of life. 

There is particular interest attached to the studv of the life historv of 
such a man as the subject of this sketch, not only for the clean record he 
himself presents, but it is highly gratifying to trace a family historv back 
through the vears and find in each life reviewed an enviable record, to know 
that each in his day stood for the highest type of manhood and did all in his 
power to advance the interests of those about him less favorably situated than 
himself. Any locality derives its reputation from that of its representative 
citizens and for many generations Gibson county has been thus indebted to 
the various members of the family of Embree. 



GIBSON COUNTY, INDIANA. 475 

ANDREW JACKSON MILLER. 

Dependent very largely upon his own resources from his early youth, 
the man whose name heads this paragraph has attained no insignificant suc- 
cess, and though he may have, like most men of affairs, encountered obstacles 
and met with reverses, he has pressed steadily forward, ever willing to work 
for the end he had in view. His tenacity and fortitude are due. no doubt, 
in a large measure, to the worth}' trails inherited from his sterling ancestors, 
whose high ideals and correct principles he has ever sought to perpetuate in 
all the relations of life. 

Andrew Jackson .Miller was horn May 28, 1834, in Jack son county, In- 
diana, son of Isaac and Ann (Settle) Miller, she a native of Nelson county. 
Kentucky. The father was horn in Jackson county, Indiana, in 1803, and 
was a son of Abraham Miller, who was horn in Pennsylvania, and whose 
father was Peter Miller, who took part in the Boston Tea Party, famous in 
the early history of the colonies. When quite a young man, Abraham Miller 
left his home in Pennsylvania and journeyed to Kentucky, where he met and 
married Peggy Miller and together they came to Jackson count)-, fndiana, 
being numbered among its early pioneers. They obtained government land 
which they cleared and on which they lived the remainder of their lives. 
Abraham Miller was at Fort Vallonia during the Pigeon Roost massacre. 
being at that fort for two years, and was also in the battle of Tippecanoe. 
To him and his wife- were born nine children: Frederick. Thomas, Isaac 
1 father of the immediate subject of this sketch). Perry, Washington, Jack- 
on, Lucinda, Kate and Ermilla. 

Isaac Miller passed his entire life 111 Jackson county. Indiana. When a 
boy he luul no opportunity whatever for acquiring education and when qi 
young began work on a farm and continued this vocation through life. On 
September 10. 1830. be and \nu Settle were united in wedlock ami to them 
ere born five children, namely: Susan Mary, deceased; \ndrew Jackson, 
subject of tin'-, sketch: Margaret and Harriet (twins). Harriet died in [856 
and Margaret, widow of Isaac Durham, resides in Daviess count)'. Indiana: 
Susan, the youngesl child, is the widow of William Critchfield anil lives in 
Jackson county. Isaac Miller and wife were faithful members of the Bap 
tist church. Mr. Miller affiliated with no political party, but always voted 
independently, his chniVe being the man and his principles rather than anv 
party platform. His death occurred in December, 1SJ74. and his wife passed 
from life January 31, 1870. 



4/6 GIBSON COUNTY, INDIANA. 

Andrew Jackson Miller when a boy had only limited opportunity for 
schooling and remained on the home place until eighteen years of age. On 
February 14, 1858, he was united in marriage to Eleuore Daily Applegate, 
who was born in Jackson county February 21, 1832, the daughter of Philip 
D. and Elizabeth (Burge) Applegate. He was born June 17, 1809, and she 
was born August 12, 1801. Their marriage was solemnized December 25, 
1828. She was a native of Jackson county, while he was born in Charles- 
ton, Clark county, Indiana. He was a famous hunter in his community and 
when a boy of nine years, with an old-fashioned flint lock gun, he killed two 
deer with one shot. When a young man he went to Jackson count}-, In- 
diana, where he obtained government land and settled down to the life of a 
farmer. His home was near that of William Cody, known to the world as 
"Buffalo Bill," and they often hunted together. Later on he sold dry goods 
throughout the county and also owned a drug store at Vallonia, Indiana. He 
tlied September 5. 1899, having been a widower for a number of years. His 
wife died in March, 1864. He was a descendant of one of the six Apple- 
gate brothers who crossed to the new world in the "Mayflower" and later 
settled in Philadelphia. Philip D. Applegate and wife were the parents of 
seven children, as follows: Margaret, born October jo, 1829, married 
Robert Kelly, of Jackson county, Indiana. Plenore D.. born February 21, 
1832. Hezekiah. born May 10. 1834, who was killed during the Civil war. 
At the battle of Kenesaw Mountain, while carrying water to the sick and 
wounded on the battlefield, he was picked off by a sharp-shooter. He was a 
member of Company Ik Twenty-second Regiment Indiana Volunteer Infan- 
try, ami was a corporal at the time of his death. The fourth child was Char- 
lotte, born November o. 1836, who married Joseph Brown, and when 
widowed later became the wife of Frederick Rush. She died November 0. 
1875. John B. was born January 8, 1830. He was 111 the Tenth Indiana 
Cavalry and after the close of the war he went to Gandy, Nebraska, where 
he purchased a farm. Polly Ann was born June to. 1841, and died March 
[2, 1873. the wife of John Stephens. Elizabeth was born January 10. 1844. 
and died March t6, 1863. 

After their marriage, in 1858, Andrew Jackson Miller and wife settled 
down to farming in Jackson county. lie also was a keeper of bees and dis- 
posed of a considerable amount of honey. He bought the patterns of the 
Langstroth bee hives and made and sold them quite extensively for a time. 
During the war he was in poor health and was drafted for service, but upon 
examination he was rejected and sent home in sj x tv days. In 1870 he re- 



GIBSON COUNTY, tNDIANA. 477 

moved his family to Gibson county, where he has since resided, farming in 
different parts of the county. To this couple were born seven children, 
namely: William Otto, a farmer living at Princeton, whose wife was Mary 
Hall, and to whom have been born three children, Walter. Elenore and 
Marttia; Leander Everett, who died October 9, [892, at the agi oi thirty- 
two years. He was a switchman on a railroad; Fidelia, wife "I James II. 
Guthrie, hardware merchant of Princeton; Elizabeth, wife of I.. P. Kci 
contractor, of Princeton, and who is the mother of six children, Ralph, 
Alexander. Andrew, Paul, Cornelia and Gertrude. Ann. wife <>t" Robert 
McCree, a farmer of Patoka township; [yy Elenore, who has always re- 
sided at home, and John Andrew, a conductor on the Ruck Island railway, 
whose home is at Goodland, Kansas, lie married Belle Williams ami tl 
are the parents of two children, Jackson and Virginia. 

Politically, Mr. Miller gives his support to the Republican party, al- 
though in in sense has he ever been a. seeker after office. His religious 
affiliation is with the Christian church, to which he gives a liberal support 
On February 14. [908, Mr. and .Mrs. Miller celebrated the fiftieth anni- 
versary of their marriage and she lived but a short time after that, her 
Lth occurring on August 25th of the same year. Mr. Miller has led an 
industrious and well regulated life, thereby gaining the respect and ad- 
miration of his fellow citizens and is most worthy of representation in a bio- 
graphical work of the scope intended in the presenl one Genial and unas- 
suming in his relations with his fellow men. he has won and retains the con- 
fidence and good will of all with whom lie comes in contact. 



FRANCIS M. THOMPSON. 

The Thompson family trace their genealog) back through to the tt 
of Benjamin, which was one of the tribes of the children of Israel I 1 
Norwaj they emigrated to Ireland about [056, at to Scotland, where 

they became a well known family. John, Charles ami Richard, three members 
.11 a large family, and the only 'Hies of which we have a record, were born in 
Dublin, Ireland, a few years before the outbreak of the French Revolution in 
[789. Richard had military training and entered the English army as a 
general. His previous training helped him to get the high appointment. 



4/8 GIBSON COUNTY, INDIANA. 

John ran away from home on account of his father refusing to let him marry 
and went to England while too young to join the army, but on account of his 
brother, Richard, being general, he was taken into the service. He and his 
brother served through the Napoleonic wars and shortly afterward John re- 
turned to his home in Dublin. Richard came to America a few years before 
the Revolutionary war came to an end. John and Charles came a few years 
later and all three brothers served in the war of the Revolution. Richard was 
under Gen. George Washington, but he never met John and Charles, who 
also served during the latter part of this great struggle. During the war John 
and Charles became separated and never saw each other again. The great- 
great-grandfathers of Francis M. Thompson and his wife both died about 
eight years after the close of the war of the Revolution and were buried in 
the national cemetery in Dayton, Ohio. His son, John, of whom the Thomp- 
son family in Gibson county are descendants, was of Scotch-Irish descent. 
He raised a large family of children, one of which was John Thompson, the 
grandfather of the subject of this sketch. He was born in Virginia Decem- 
ber 19. 1804, and died April 16. 1850. He was a great hunter in his younger 
days and was a fine marksman. He was presented with a silver-mounted 
rifle at one time by the governor of Virginia for killing an Indian chief who 
had caused a great deal of trouble among the white settlers, killing a number 
of them. He settled first in Virginia near where Richmond now stands. 
Later he emigrated to Kentucky, settling near Elizabethtown, in Hardin 
county. He was married to Sarah Garner. February 16. 1825. After his 
wife's death he lived with his son, John, until his death.. John Thompson 
moved from Kentucky to Illinois, and settled near where Rochester now 
stands, ami lived there a few years, when he moved to Indiana and settled 
near Crowleyville, this county. Here he lived until January 1, 1847, when 
they lost nearly everything they had by the high water, known as the January 
freshet of 1847. and they moved back to Elizabethtown, Kentucky, where his 
death occurred April 14, 1850. After his death his widow and her children 
moved to the vicinity of Owensville, this county, where they lived until her 
death, which occurred February 17, 1886. 

Francis M. Thompson, Sr., the son of John Thompson and wife, and 
father of the subject of this sketch, was born August 28. 184^. near Crowley- 
ville, Indiana, and lived there with his parents until the spring of 1847, when 
they moved to Elizabethtown, Kentucky, where his boyhood davs were spent 
until he was about sixteen years of age, when the family moved back to the 



1,1 BSON COl \ I A ', INDIAN \. 479 

vicinity of Owensville, Gibson county, Indiana. He married Susannah 
Elizabeth Fravel, May 28, 1866. and a short time afterwards purchased a 
farm about three miles north of Owensville, where he spent the remainder of 
his life. I le was a very successful farmer and by his thrift and frugality he 
became the owner of over three hundred acres of good land before his death, 
which occurred May 24, 1905. Susannah ( Fravel) Thompson was horn ni 
Corydon, Harrison county, this state. April 6. 1845, where she lived until she 
was sixteen years of age, when she came with her parents to Gibson county 
in i860. To Mr. and Airs. Francis M. Thompson. Sr., were born nine chil- 
dren, as follows: William, horn July 20, 1867. married Lucinda Mauck; 
Amanda, September 21, t86<;. married Erastus Burkett; Julia, \pril 10. 1871, 
married Arthur B. Woods; Laura, January 16, 1873, married W. Columbus 
Benson; Samuel B.. March 12, 1875, married Cora Emerson: Jesse W., 
November 14, 1877. married Mattie Musick; Francis M., January 19, 1880, 
married Ethel Tichenor; Ellis, May 5, 1882, married Elsie Yeager. and 
Elmer Thompson, May 5, 1882, married Flora Redman. 

Joseph M. Fravel, the father of Mrs. F. M. Thompson, Sr., was born in 
Virginia on December 28, 1S17, and died on June 13, 1879. He spent his 
boyhood days under the paternal roof in Virginia and in early life went west 
to Indiana, settling near Corydon. that state, where he married Mary Ann 
Simler, whose parents came from near Reading. Pennsylvania, and settled in 
Harrison county, Indiana, near Corydon. Both families were of German 
descent. They moved to Gibson county about the year [860 and settled 
aboui four miles northeast of Owensville, where they lived for the remainder 
of their lives. Mary Ann Simler was born in Harrison county. Indiana. 
ptember 14. 1821, and her death occurred on March 3, 1007. Mr. and 
Mrs. Joseph M. Fravel were the parents of nine children: Joseph A., born 
February 13, 1859, died on May 14, i860; John II.. November 4. [848, died 
March 28. 1854: an infant, born October co, 1855, who died the same year; 
William Benjamin, March 29, [851, died February 27, 1896; Susannah Eliza- 
beth, April 6, 1845, married F. M. Thompson on Via} 28, [866; Mice January 
6. 1857. married Andrew Jackson Spore; Sarah. December 1 r, [846, married 
James C. Xettleton : Ella, May 28, [862, married Rhesa K. Spore; Rebecca, 
who married John Woods. 

Francis M. Thompson, Jr., son of Francis M. and Susannah Elizabeth 
(Fravel) Thompson, was burn four miles north of Owensville, Indiana. 
January 10. 1880. He spent his boyhood on the home farm, attending the 



4§0 GIBSON COUNTY, INDIANA. 

district schools of his neighborhood in the winter seasons, and working on the 
farm in the summers. He also spent one year in the high school at Owens- 
ville. Shortly after his marriage to Ethel Tichenor, the daughter of Willis 
H. and Louisa ( Lucas ) Tichenor, on December 24, 1902. he moved to Owens- 
ville and started to learn the blacksmith trade with his father-in-law, W. H. 
Tichenor. Here he remained for eight years and then bought the Lockhart 
blacksmith shop and went into business for himself. He has all the necessary 
skill and technical ability for a first-class artisan and has built up his trade 
until he has all the business he can manage. He is also the agent for the 
Mitchell wagons and has put a large number of them on the market in this 
community. Air. and Mrs. Thompson are the parents of three children, 
Paul T., Raymond P. and Mary Elizabeth. 

Mr. Thompson takes an active interest in fraternity circles and is a valued 
member of the Knights of Pythias and Modern Woodmen of America. Al- 
though he takes an intelligent interest in political affairs, he has never sought 
any office from the Democratic party, to which he owes allegiance. He and 
his wife are both active and loyal members of the Regular Baptist church of 
< hvcnsville and arc deeply interested in all church movements. Mr. Thomp- 
son is a quiet and unassuming citizen, well liked by every one with whom he 
comes in contact, and owes his success to that devoted energy which has al- 
ways characterized his every-day life. He firings credit to one of the oldest 
and best known families of the state and is a public-spirited citizen who is an 
honor to any community. 



DAVID RILEY STORMONT. 

No family in Gibson county's history has occupied a more exalted place 
in public esteem than the Stormont family and none has more worthily upheld 
the prestige of an honored family name. Originating in Scotland, the most 
noteworthy characteristics of that splendid people have been preserved and 
exemplified by this family through the successive generations, the members of 
the family having been marked by loyalty, courage, industry and integrity of 
the highest order, so that the lineal record is one to which the present genera- 
tion may point witli justifiable pride. Several representatives of this family 
now honor Gibson county with their citizenship, among whom is the gentle- 
man whose name appears at the head of this sketch. 






O 

z 

> 
Z 

a 




GIBSON COUNTY, INDIANA. 481 

Samuel Stormont, the emigrant ancestor of the subject, was born in 
count v Antrim, Ireland, and emigrated to the United States during or soon 
after the war of the Revolution. Before leaving Ireland, the family were 
granted the following certificate : 

"That Samuel Stormont His wife Martha & Son David who is a single 
person is about to go to South Carolina with His daughter Esther who also 
is a single person Behaved themselves Soberly & Honestly & may be re- 
ceived into any Christian Society where Cod in his providence hath ordered 
his lot. Certified by — 

"Willm. James, 
"Simon Cameron, 
"James Wright, 
"Robert Knox." 

to Samuel and Martha Stormont were born the following children: 
David, who married Nancy Boyd; Esther, who became the wife of James 
Chestnut; Martha, the wife of Samuel Faris; Molly, the wife of Samuel 
Mc( lure; John, who was married twice, first to Nancy Wilson, and then to 
Bettie Maybin; William, who married Anna McCulla. 

Nancy Boyd, above referred to as the wife of David Stormont, was the 
daughter of Mary Archer Boyd. The latter walked from her home in 
Chester district. South Carolina, to Charleston to nurse her husband, who 
was confined on a prison ship in the harbor there. While she was there, her 
husband was ordered north to be exchanged, she going with him. He died 
on the voyage in 1782 and was buried at sea, which recalled a dream he had 
when crossing the ocean from Ireland to the United States, to the effect that 
he would die at sea and his body be thrown overboard. During the period 
when Mary Archer Boyd was nursing her husband, the British and Tories 
went to her home, where her daughter Nancy, then about nineteen years old, 
w;^ alone, her brothers being away in the Continental army. The vindictive 
and inhuman soldiers locked the doors and sel lire to the house, hut Nancy 
escaped and slipped away into the woods, where she hid until the British left. 
During this period her only food was ripe peaches and such milk as she could 
obtain by slipping away in the dusk of the morning or evening to the cow. 
which was hidden in a thicket. Nancy Boyd was married to David Stormont 
about the year 1787 or 1788, and lived in South Carolina until [810, when the 
family, accompanied by Nancy's mother, moved to Gibson county. Indiana, 

' (30 



482 GIBSON COUNTY, INDIANA. 

settling on the place still owned by the descendants. A few years afterwards 
Alary Archer Boyd died and was buried in Archer cemetery, she being the 
first person buried in that graveyard, which had been given by her brother, 
Robert Archer, to the Reformed Presbyterian church. 

Prior to leaving the South Carolina home, the following certificate was 
granted to Mrs. Boyd : 

"Thus is to Certify that the I '.carer hereof Mary Boyd, weadow ; is now A 
regular Member of this society in the Comunity of old Decenters and is free 
from publick scandel known to us. Certified By us thus 27th Day of March 
181 1 Rocky Creek Chester Districk South Carolina. 

"James Munford, Eld. 

'•David Smith, Eld." 

"Thus is to Certify that the Bearer hereof, weadow Nancy Stormant. 
herself and her Daughter Martha Storment is now Regular Members of thus 
society in the Comunity of Old Decenters and is free from publick scandel 
known to us And the Rest of her Children is living Regularly under her 
care. Certified by us thus 27th day of March 1811 Rocky Creek Chester 
Districk South Carolina. 

"James Munford, Eld. 

"David Smith. Eld." 

To David and Nancy (Boyd) Stormont the following children were 
born: Martha, born July 7, 1789; Robert, April '30, 1791 ; Mary, April 8. 
1793; Esther, June 23, 1795; Samuel, August 30, 1797; Nancy Agnes, Octo- 
ber 22, 1799; David, August 7, 1802; John, December 29, 1804. 

Of these children, David, who was the father of the immediate subject 
of this sketch, married Marv Hartin. who was born in Chester district. South 
Carolina, and whose ancestral history is briefly stated as follows : The first of 
this family of whom there is definite knowledge were Joseph and Mary (Craw- 
ford ) Hartin. to whom were born Patrick, Isaac, Jacob and George. Of 
these. Patrick married Margaret Cunningham and to them were horn John, 
Joseph, Jane. Mary and Patrick. Of the latter children, Joseph married 
Nancy Agnes Stormont, to whom were born the following children : Mar- 
garet Tane, who became the wife of Andrew J. Wright: David, who married 
Elizabeth Brazelton; Mary Marilla. who became the wife of John C. Blair: 
Rosanna, deceased ; Martha Ann, deceased ; Nancy Catherine Archer was the 
wife of Robert Little: Sarah became the wife of John Fisher, and Joseph, 



GIBSON COUNTY, INDIANA. 483 

who married Jessie Kerr. To Joseph and Jessie (Kerr) Hartin were horn 
the following children : Mary Duncan, who became the wife of Doris I lead ; 
Melville Joseph, who married Ada Smith; John Aden. 

The subject's paternal grandfather was a farmer, owning a small farm 
of forty acres in South Carolina, but, because of his poor health and the fact 
that he desired that his children should be reared in a non-slaveholding state, 
he desired to move to the North. However, his death prevented his going, 
but in t8io the remaining members of the family moved to Kentucky, making 
their home with a relative, Mr. llagwood, who was very good and kind to 
them. They made the trip to their new home in a one-horse cart. In the 
spring of 1812 one of the sons, Robert, then seventeen years of age, came to 
Gibson count}-, Indiana, locating on a tract of land northwest of Princeton, in 
Patoka township. Here he put out a small crop and in the fall of that year 
the other members of the family followed him to the new home. The sub- 
ject's father, David Stormont, was a lad of ten years when they came to this 
county and here, amid the pioneer conditions that prevailed, he was reared. 
He was necessarily denied the opportunities of securing a school education, 
but. being of a studious disposition and a keen observer, he became a man of 
wide and accurate general knowledge. He started in life on his own account 
by farming on land where now stands the Archer cemetery, northwest of 
Princeton, later locating on land one mile west of there. He started neces- 
sarily in a very modest way, first working as an ordinary farm hand fi >r 
fifty cents a day, and out of this meager wage he managed to save money 
with which he bought his first land. Though mainly a farmer, he worked at 
anything that presented itself and assisted in the construction of the old 
Patoka bridge. He was an industrious and hard-working man, paying atten- 
;i to his own affairs, and was a man of decided convictions, not believing in 
voting or holding office as far as he was personally concerned. He was very 
strict in his habits and was a man of strong religious views, being an earnest 
member of the Reformed Presbyterian church, in which he was a deacon for 
many years and otherwise active in the church's various enterprises. A kind 
husband, loving father and honest citizen, he was universally respected in the 
community where he lived and labored to goodly ends. 

On September 23, 1825, David Stormont married Mary Martin and to 
them were born the following children: Nancy Jane, who is now deceased, 
was born on October 5, T820: she became the wife of John 1 lull and they lived 
in Gibson county. John 11.. born August 4. 1828, died in 1832. Robert B.. 
born September 16, 1830, died September Jo. [862, unmarried. Mary Ann, 



484 GIBSON COUNTY, INDIANA. 

born January 13, 1835, died young. David H., born January 19, 1833, died 
October 13, 1839. Margaret E., born May 28, 1838, died September 23, 
1841. Joseph W., born October 23, 1840, died at Evansville, Indiana, March 
5, 1863 ; he was a member of Company F, Forty-second Regiment, Indiana 
Volunteer Infantry. Louise Amanda, born April 24, 1843. married John 
Adams, of Cutler, Illinois, and both are now deceased. David Riley is the 
immediate subject of this review. Martha Ella, born September 10, 1850, 
was the wife of Alex McConahy, and they occupied the old homestead north- 
west of Princeton. The parents of these children are both deceased, the 
father dying on December 12, 1886. and the mother on February 13, 1874. 

David Riley Stormont, familiarly known among his acquaintances by his 
middle name, was born on October 1, 1847, on tne home farm, three miles 
northwest of Princeton, Indiana. His education was mainly secured in the 
old log cabin schools of that early period, whose homely equipment was not 
especially calculated to increase the comfort of the pupils, but where, never- 
theless, the rudiments of a good practical education were secured. This train- 
ing Mr. Stormont supplemented through the years by much reading and 
habits of close observation, so that he has long been regarded as a man of 
wide and accurate information along general lines. Reared to the life of a 
farmer, Mr. Stormont applied himself indefatigably to that vocation and has 
long been numbered among the representative farmers of his locality. He is 
today the owner of five hundred acres of splendid land in Patoka township, 
practically all of which is maintained in the best condition for the various 
purposes to which applied. He is also the owner of forty acres of land in 
White River township. In addition to general farming, Mr. Stormont has 
given much attention to the breeding and raising of live stock, in which he 
has met with large success. He has handled Clydesdale and Cleveland bay 
horses, Poland-China hogs and cattle of all kinds. He has always given his 
personal attention to every detail of his operations and is thoroughly up-to- 
date and progressive in hi? methods, so that he has been enabled to achieve the 
highest results with a minimum expenditure of effort. His farm is well im- 
proved in every respect, its general appearance reflecting credit on the owner. 

On June 2, 1896, David R. Stormont was united in marriage to Mary E. 
Lytle, of Center township, this county, and the following year they moved to 
Princeton, where Mr. Stormont had erected a beautiful home at No. 227 
North Seminary street, their present home. Mrs. Stormont's parents were 
Tohn and Nancy (Mclntire) Lytle, the former a native of Kentucky and the 
latter born near Salem, Indiana. The latter place was their home for a time 



GIBSON COUNTY, INDIANA. 485 

after their marriage, but in i860 they came to Center township, Gibson county, 
and secured a tract of wild land, which they converted into a splendid farm 
and made their permanent home. The father, who was born on February 28, 
1825, died in Princeton in 1900, and the mother, who was born in 1826. died 
on December 12. 1904. They were the parents of the following children: 
Sarah Ann, who died in April, 1905, was the wife of Alex Mooney; John B. 
died in infancy; Margaret Jane died in i8c>2; Mary E., Mrs. Stormont. To 
Mr. and Mrs. Stormont the following children have been born :- David Lytle, 
born May 16, 1897; John Lytle, born February 13, 1899: Daniel Lytle, born 
July 17, 1900; Nancy Lytle, born January 24, 1902; Mary L., born June 28, 
1907; an infant daughter who died on October 1, 1908. 

Religiously, Mr. and Mrs. Stormont are members of the Reformed Pres- 
byterian church, to the support of which they are liberal contributors. Not 
only by reason of the honorable family name which he bears, hut more espe- 
cially because of his own attainments and upright life. Mr. Stormont has 
earned and retains to a marked degree the confidence and respect of the entire 
community in which his entire life has been passed. Pie stands for the best 
interests of the community, giving his support without reserve to such move- 
ments as promise to advance the general welfare, and he is popular ami ng his 
acquaintances. 



S WUT.I. W'OODBURN. 



Specific mention is made of many of the worthy citizens of Gibson 
county within the pages of this work, citizens who have figured in the growth 
and development of tins favored locality and whose interests have been 
identified with its every phase of progress, each contributing in his sphere of 
action to the well-being of the community in which he resides and to the ad- 
vancement of its normal and legitimate growth. \mong tin- number is he 
whose name appear- above, one of the foreign-born citizens of our common- 
wealth to whose industry and right principles of life the early development 
of our county and stale is largely indebted for its high moral status. Samuel 
Woodburn is a native of county Antrim. Ireland, where he first -aw the li^lit 
of day on July 20, 1826, the sun of Robert and Margaret 1 \\ asson I \\ '"id- 
burn, both natives of the same county. The father was a farmer, and the 
parents spent their entire lives on their native sod. There were three children 
in the family, namely: Margaret, deceased; Samuel, subject of tin- -ketch. 
and William, a farmer residing near Lockport, Xew York. 



486 GIBSON COUNTY, INDIANA. 

Samuel Woodburn received his education in the common schools of Ire- 
land and early took up the work of a farmer. This vocation he followed 
until in 1847, when lie set sail for America, being eleven weeks in crossing 
the Atlantic. His boat docked at New Orleans and from there he journeyed 
by boat up the Mississippi and Ohio rivers to Evansville, Indiana, and from 
thence to Princeton. His long journey was made in company with friends. 
His earliest employment here was during the construction of the Erie canal, 
in which he was employed for a time. He later became apprentice to the 
carpenter's trade, in which he became quite proficient and until he joined the 
army he worked steadily at this trade. In the fall of 1861 he enlisted in Com- 
pany D, Fifty-eighth Regiment Indiana Volunteer Infantry, at Princeton. 
He was first sent to Louisville and Bardstown, Kentucky, and saw much 
active service during his enlistment. He was in the battles of Pittsburg 
Landing, Murfreesboro, Stone River, Chattanooga, Duvall's Station, and 
other engagements and skirmishes. He was with the Army of the Cumber- 
land. He had many close calls from death during the engagements in which 
he participated, but came through free from injury. He saw three years of 
service and received his discharge in July, 1865. After his discharge from 
the army, he returned to Princeton and again took up his work as a carpenter, 
at which he continued until lie retired. 

On November 20, 1856, Mr. Woodburn was united in marriage to 
Sarah Connor, who was born in Ireland. March 13, 1833. She was a daugh- 
ter of Thomas Connor, who had emigrated to America and had settled in 
Vanderburg county, Indiana. To their union were born seven children: 
Robert, born September 29, 1857, a farmer of Center township, this county, 
married Belle Makemson. To them have been born six children, Munroe, 
Ethel, Hettie. Helen. Aha and. Frank. The second child is James B., born 
May n), 1859, a farmer who resides in Princeton and who married Josie 
Griffin. William, born July 6, 1861, is a farmer in AA r hite River township, 
this county; Mary J., who has always resided at home; Frank died July 30, 
1867; Henry, who resides in Evansville, married Dora Margenkerth and 
thev have three children, Charles and Dorotha (twins) and Sarah E. The 
seventh child of Mr. Woodburn is Nellie, wife of Frank M. Terry, a traveling 
salesman of Princeton. Mrs. Woodbnrn's death occurred August 26, 1893. 

Mr. Woodburn's religious sympathies are with the United Presbyterian 
church, to which he gives liberally of his time and means. He is also a mem- 
ber of the Grand Army of the Republic, Post No. 28, of Princeton. Air. 
Woodburn is a hale old gentleman, a man of wonderfully rugged constitution, 



GIBSON COUNTY, INDIANA. 4S7 

which lias served him well during the many years of hard work he has put 
in. and he is a man well known in the county, lie has made many friends 
both through his business connections and by reason of his genial personality 
and universal good nature. He is accounted among the most worthy citizens 
of Gibson county, one who has always had the best good "f the community 
at heart. 



MORRIS WATSON, D. D. 

The good that a noble character like the Rev. Morris Watson can do in 
the course of an active life is indeed incalculable and cannot be measured in 
metes and bounds, in fact, cannot lie known until the "last great day. when the 
trumpet shall sound and the dead shall be raised incorruptible." lie has de- 
voted his life to the good of others, has lived an unselfish, helpful and 
altruistic life, and thousands have been made better and had their life-paths 
made easier and brighter by having known him. So that today he is emi- 
nently entitled to the high esteem in which he is universallv held. 

Morris Watson was bom in Muskingum county, Ohio, the son of Andrew 
and Margaret Watson. After attending the public schools he was a student 
in Muskingum College and later in Xenia Theological Seminary, where he 
completed his studies preparatory to entering the ministry of the Gospel, a 
career which he had determined upon. His first active pastorate was at the 
First United Presbyterian church of Burgettstown, Pennsylvania, from which 
church he was called to the church at Princeton in January, [91 1. A man of 
forceful personality, an effective pulpit speaker, const-crated to the work in 
which he is engaged. Rev. Watson has impressed himself upon (he community 
with which he is now identified, and enjoys to a marked degree the confidence 
and respect of all who know him. regardless of sect or profession. He has 
not only been active in the particular societ) of which he is the head, but in 
the general moral and civic affairs ,,f the community he has been a forceful 
factor. Among the special efforts with which he has been identified was the 
abolition of the saloons from the city of Princeton, Mr. Watson being at the 
head of the temperance forces and being materialh responsible for the splen- 
did results obtained. His ability is freely recognized, and in rcji2 Franklin 
College, at Easton, Ohio, conferred upon him the degree of Doctor of 
Divinity, an honor richly earned. A man of marked intellectual attainments, 
exemplary character and public spirit, Reverend Watson has in every respect 
merited the high esteem in which he is universally held in that locality. 



4-88 GIBSON COUNTY. INDIANA. 

On August 16, 1899, Reverend Watson was married to Florence White, 
of New Concord, Ohio, and to this union have been born two daughters, 
Grace and Ruth. Mrs. Watson has proved to her husband a valued helpmate 
in the religious activities in which he has engaged and because of her graces 
and excellent qualities of character she has endeared herself to all who know 
her. 



SAMUEL E. MUNFORD. 

To attain a worthy citizenship by a life that is always honored and re- 
spected even from childhood deserves more than mere mention. One may 
take his place in public life through some vigi in >us stroke of public policy, and 
even remain in the hearts of friends and neighbors, but to take the same posi- 
tion by dint of the practice of an upright life, and without a craving for 
exaltation and popularity, is worthy of the highest praise and commendation. 
The late Samuel Munford, one of the successful physicians and public- 
spirited citizens of Princeton, Indiana, who was well known throughout this 
community, was a man respected and honored, not because of the vigorous 
training of his special talents, but because of his daily life, each day having 
been one that was above criticism and passed upon in the light of real, true 
manhood. Strong and forceful in his relations with his fellow men, he not 
only made his presence felt, but also gained the good will and commendation 
of both his associates and the general public, ever retaining his reputation 
among men for integrity and high character, no matter how trying the cir- 
cumstances, and never losing that dignity which is the birthright of a gentle- 
man. Consequently his influence for good in the general life of his com- 
munity was most potent, and he will long be sadly missed from the various 
circles in which he moved and over which his influence was like sunshine on a 
field of ripened wheat. 

Samuel E. Munford was born in Princeton, Gibson county. Indiana, on 
June 17, 1837, and was a son of John and Mary Nixon (Archer) Munford. 
The father was a native of South Carolina and the mother was born in 
Chester, South Carolina, in September. 1800. The latter's father, Thomas 
Archer, came to Indiana, in about 1806, because of his opposition to slavery. 
He brought several black men with him, among whom was Sampson, who had 

the Archer cemetery. 




<pt i %u^ 



~- c 





GIBSON COUNTY, INDIANA. 489 

Mr. and Mrs. Archer were pioneers of the early day and upon coming 
to this locality they entered a tract of government land and here followed agri- 
cultural pursuits during the remainder of their lives. They were the parents 
of nine children, all of whom reached mature years, luit all are now deceased 
excepting R. M. Samuel E. Munford was reared upon the paternal farm- 
stead, and in his early youth attended the common schools, also receiving 
some special work in Latin. Having entertained an ambition to make a prac- 
tice of medicine his life work, the subject entered the office of Doctor Blair, 
where he read medicine, and also was a student in the Jefferson Medical Col- 
lege of Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, graduating in 1861. lie was a close and 
studious observer of everything pertaining to his profession and became a 
writer of some note for medical journals. He engaged in practice at Prince- 
ton for a short time, in partnership with Dr. W. W. Blair, and was just 
getting fairly started in his professional work when the war of the Rebellion 
broke out, and to him belongs the distinction of being the first man in Gib- 
son county to enlist for service. In June, i86t, he became a private in Com- 
pany H, Seventeenth Regiment Indiana Volunteer Infantry, and was im- 
mediately detailed for hospital service. In August. 1861, he received an ap- 
pointment as assistant surgeon of his regiment, and on February 5, 1862, he 
was promoted to surgeon of that command. At the formation of Wilder's 
brigade, one of the most noted commands in the Northern army. Doctor 
Munford was appointed acting brigade surgeon, which position he filled until 
the close of the war in 1S65. when he received an honorable discharge, and 
returned to Princeton. He formed a partnership with Dr. \Y. \Y. Blair, 
which was maintained for five years, after which Doctor Munford became 
iciated with Doctor West, a partnership which existed for three years, 
after which he engaged in the active practice alone for many years. A man 
of strictesl integrity, conscientious in the performance of his duties, he suc- 
cessfully handled many difficult casts and gained a wide reputation as a pro- 
fessional man of ability and learning. In the special department of surgery, 
Doctor Munford had no superiors and few equals in this section of the state, 
being called to many distant points, both as an operator and in consultation. 
Many of his cases were reported to the medical journals of the country and 
he also contributed many valuable articles to the medical societies with which 
he was associated. In 1884 Doctor Munford was elected president of the 
Indiana State Medical Society, and received much praise for the able manner 
in which he handled its affairs during his administration. A close student of 
his profession and keeping in touch with the most advanced thought relai 



4QO GIBSON COUNTY, INDIANA. 

thereto, Doctor Munford possessed a large library of the best professional 
literature and his office was well equipped with everything pertaining to his 
practice. 

Though a busy man professionally, Doctor Munford always maintained 
a deep interest in local affairs, being public spirited in his attitude toward 
every movement which promised to benefit the community in any way. He 
was especially active in church work, being a member of the United Presby- 
terian society, in which he was an elder, and for ten years he served as a 
trustee of the city schools. Politically, he was a Republican, though the de- 
mands of his profession prevented his taking a very active part in political 
affairs. 

In 1873 Doctor Munford was united in marriage to Mima S. Stone- 
barger, the daughter of John and Emily (Eppjey) Stonebarger, the father a 
native of Pennsylvania and the mother of Virginia. John Stonebarger was 
a manufacturer in early life, though during his later years he gave his atten- 
tion largely to the real estate business, which he was following at the time of 
his death, which occurred at the advanced age of eighty-nine years. To 
Doctor and Mrs. Munford were born five children, namely: Roderich S., 
who is news editor of the Youngstown (Ohio) Telegram. Agnes, who died 
on August 30, IQ12, was the wife of Claud H. Crowder, a wholesale boot and 
shoe dealer of Indianapolis. Mrs. Crowder was a very accomplished musician, 
being an expert player on both piano and pipe organ. Samuel Archer, who 
is a physician, is medical adviser of Cornell University, being also extensively 
engaged in lecturing. Edith is the wife of John D. Moser, a member of the 
Taylor Manufacturing Company at Hamilton, Ontario. Dorothy is unmar- 
ried and remains at home with her mother. 

In the death of Doctor Munford there passed from the professional 
circles of Princeton a man who had honored the community with which his 
life had been identified. There is no standard by which his beneficent in- 
fluence can be measured, for the helpfulness which he extended was limited 
only by the extent of his knowledge and skill. Of intense earnestness and 
conscientiousness in his professional duties, no labor was too arduous and 
no self-sacrifice too great when he felt called to attend a patient, regardless 
of conditions or surroundings. His life was full of tenderness, sacrifice, 
solicitude, true in its constancy and loyal in its devotion to all with whom he 
was associated. He was everywhere regarded as a wide-awake, enterprising 
man of his time, fully alive to the dignities and the responsibilities of citizen- 
ship, and, to the extent of his ability, contributed to the general prosperity of 



GIBSON COUNTY, INDIANA. 49 1 

the community honored by his citizenship. Courteous, affable and easily 
approached, he commanded the undh ided respect of all with whom he came in 
contact, and his friends were bounded only by the limits of his acquaintance, 
being universally esteemed in all the relations of life. 



JOHN I, MORRIS, M. I >. 

Professional success results from merit. Frequently in commercial life 
one may come into possession of a lucrative business through inheritance or 
gift, but in what are known as the learned professions advancement is gained 
only through painstaking and long continued effort. Prestige in the healing 
art is the outcome of strong mentality, close application, thorough mastery 
of its great underlying principles and the ability to apply theory to practice 
in the treatment of diseases. Good intellectual training, thorough profes- 
sional knowledge and the possession and utilization of the qualities and at- 
tributes essential to success, have made the subject of this review eminent in 
his chosen calling, and he is recognized as one of the leading physicians in 
Gibson county. 

John L. Morns, M. D., was horn February 22, [869, in Barton town- 
ship, Gibson count)', Indiana, on the old Barton homestead, the son of John 
T. and Alary E. (Miller) Morris. The father was also horn on this same 
farm, while the mother is a native of Warrick county, Indiana. John T. 
Morris was a son of John T. and Mary (Marshall) Morns, natives of Eng- 
land, in which country they lived until reaching maturity, when the) came 
to America in 1832. They were married in Evansville, Indiana, in [832, 
later removing to Vanderburg county, ami in [838 locating in Barton town- 
ship, Gibson comity. Here they cleared a place in the heavy growth of tim- 
ber and huilt a cabin. John T. Morris, Sr.. was fortunateb possessed oi .1 
knowledge of surveying and was enabled to greatly help his neighbors in 
locating their land. lie was a man of splendid intellectual attainments, well 
read and scholarly, and was a leader 111 his community, lie and his wife 
were members of the Episcopal church. To them tvere horn six children. 
namely: John T., the subject's father; Richard. Lewis, Phillip and Sidi 
deceased: Robert is living on part of the old home place. The subject's 
father, John T. Morris, received a common school education, and, his father 
passing away when he was but twelve years of age, he tenderly cared for 



49 2 GIBSON COUNTY, INDIANA. 

his mother until her death in 1892. On August 7, 1862, Mr. Morris enlisted 
111 Company F, Fourth Indiana Cavalry, and was mustered out on June 23, 
1865. He served in the Army of the Cumberland, with Sherman on the 
"March to the Sea." was in Wilson's raid and took part in the capture of 
Jefferson Davis. He has followed farming for thirty-five years, part of this 
time being also interested in a saw-mill, in politics he is deeply interested 
in the success of the Republican party, while his religious affiliations are with 
the Methodist Episcopal church. In January, 1867, John T. Morris was 
united in marriage with Mary E. Miller, daughter of David Miller, of Vir- 
ginia, who was an early settler in Pike county, Indiana, and who later re- 
moved to Missouri. To this union were born nine children, as follows: 
George Thomas, who is a farmer in Warrick county, being also interested 
in engineering and the dairy business, married Mary E. Heldt; John L. ; 
Robert Benjamin is a farmer in Warrick county and among other invest- 
ments he is connected with the telephone interests. He was first married to 
a Miss De Priest and his second wife was a Miss Smith; Charles died at the 
age of four years; Martha Bell died at the age of two and one-half years; 
James died at the age of four years; YV. F. is a physician and is the subject 
of a sketch elsewhere in this work: Edison, a farmer of Elberfield, Indiana, 
married Augusta Ebrecht; Mary Eva married William C. May. a farmer 
living at Mackey, Indiana. 

After completing a course in the common schools, the subject of this 
review attended the Snake Pun Academy. Resolving to make the study 
and practice <>f medicine his life work, he put in two years preparatory work 
under Dr. John Mallard, of Haubstadt, Indiana, now deceased, and then he 
entered the Jefferson Medical College at Philadelphia, from which he gradu- 
ated May 15, 1896. He was then engaged in practice with Dr. John Ballard 
at Haubstadt, Gibson county, until 1899, when he located at King's Station, 
where he built his home and office and resided until December 23. 1913, when 
he moved to Princeton and is now m active practice. Doctor Morris' prac- 
tice extends over an extensive territory, he not only doing a large business 
in Princeton, but over the entire county. 

The subject was married on April 28, 1897, to Artena Frances Epper- 
son, of Gibson county, daughter of Uriah C. and Mary (Brumfield) Epper- 
son, the father, a farmer, living four miles north of Haubstadt. To this 
union have been born two children: Uriah C, who was born December 23, 
1901, and Nola V., who died at the age of four and cne-half years. 

Doctor Morris is a member of the county and state medical associations. 



GIBSON COUNTY, INDIANA. 493 

also being affiliated with the national body, the American Medical Associa- 
tion. Politically, he is a staunch Republican, having been elected coroner 
for the county from i8q6 to iqto. Religiously, he is a member of the 
Methodist Episcopal church at King's Station. His fraternal relations are 
with the Knights of Pythias lodge at Princeton, and is also a member of the 
Sons of Veterans, about to be organized here. 



JAMES ALBERT TICHENOR. 

Though more than a decade of years has elapsed since the honored sub- 
ject of these memoirs was transferred from the life militant to the life 
triumphant, his personality is still fresh in the memory of his many friends 
who remain in Gibson county, where for man)' years he was regarded as one 
of the leading men. Because of his many excellent personal qualities and the 
splendid and definite influence which his life shed over the entire locality in 
which he lived so long and which he labored so earnestly to upbuild in any 
way within bis power, it is particularly fitting that specific mention should be 
made of him in a work containing mention of the representative citizens ol 
the community in a past generation. \ man of high moral character, unim- 
peachable integrity, persistent industry and excellent business judgment, be 

st 1 '"'four square t'> ever) wind that blew" and throughout the locality 

where he lived be occupied an enviable position among his fellow men. by 
whom be was universally esteemed. 

James Albert Tichenor was born September 22, [851, on the corner of 
West and Emerson streets, Princeton, Indiana, the son of William X. and 
Elizabeth 1 [ohnson) Tichenor, he of Nelson county, Kentucky (born D< 
cember 25, [826), and she born October u. 1828, on "River DeShee." Else 
where in this volume will be found a sketch of the life of \\ illiam X. Tiche- 
r, father of the immediate subject of this sketch, a man of great influence 
and ability. 

James Albert Tichenor was educated in schools of Princeton, remaining 
at home with bis parents until his marriage, in [88l, to Eliza I. Mauck, who 
was born \ugus1 7. [850, in ( )wensville, Indiana, a daughter of Abraham and 
Nancy (Jones) Mauck. Abraham Mauck was a native of Harrison county. 
Indiana, ami Nancy Jones was a daughter of Col Charles Jones, whose wife 
was Eleanore Warrick. The Warricks were natives of Kentucky and ('apt. 



494 GIBSON COUNTY, INDIANA. 

Jacob Warrick, Eleanore's father, was killed at the battle of Tippecanoe. 
Abraham Maude's education was limited to that obtainable in the country 
schools of his time. Later in life he was engaged in the pork packing in- 
dustry and boating and was a merchant at Mt. Carmel, Illinois, in association 
with his brothers; they were also engaged in the flour-mill business. He died 
at the age of eighty years. Nancy Jones Maude, his wife, died when young, 
aged thirty-three years. She was the mother of two children now living, 
namely: Eliza J., wife of the subject of this sketch, and Charles, a farmer 
located at Twin Falls, Idaho. 

Abraham Mauck married a second time, his second wife being Mrs. 
Mary Miln Walling, widow of Dr. Willoughby Walling, and she is still living 
in Princeton. To their union were born three children, namely: William 
M., deceased; Frank, a farmer residing in Princeton, and Arthur, a fanner 
who resides in Patoka township, Gibson county. 

From the time of his marriage in 1881 until his death, May 2$, 1900, 
James Albert Tichenor was engaged in agricultural pursuits in Patoka town- 
ship. He was one of the largest and most successful farmers in Gibson 
county and, in addition to general farming, devoted much time and attention 
to raising high grade live stock. He was a public-spirited man and gave 
much time and means to promoting any cause that had as its object ultimate 
benefit to his community. He took a great deal of interest in the Gibson 
County Fair Association, and did much to make it a high class exhibit. He 
was influential in political circles and from 1894 to 1898 was chairman of 
the Republican central committee. His religious affiliation was with the 
Presbyterian church, to which he gave liberally of his means. To Mr. Tiche- 
nor and wife were born two daughters. Mabel E. and Maude. Both of these 
daughters are well educated. After attending the grades and high school in 
Princeton, Mabel E. was graduated at Indiana University at Bloomington, 
later attending Vassar College for Women, from which she was graduated 
in 1910. She has been an instructor in mathematics in the Princeton high 
schools for the past six years. She toured Europe in IQ12. Maude, the 
second daughter, is the wife of James Paul Weatherspoon. to whom she was 
united in marriage February 1, 1911. She is also a graduate of the Prince- 
ton high school and attended Indiana University and takes an active interest 
in many clubs and various societies, in addition to her home duties. Mr. 
Weatherspoon is engaged in farming. 

"An honest man is the noblest work of God," and no higher praise can be 
given a man than the simple statement that he measured up to the full stature 



GIBSON COUNTY, INDIANA. 



495 



of manhood. Such a life was that of James Albert Tichenor, well rounded, 
full and complete in every relation of life, his memory and influence a vital. 
living thing in the hearts ami minds of those with whom he came in contact. 



CHARLES B. SWIXX1A . 

The youngest newspaper man in Gibson county, Indiana, and one of the 
youngest in the state is (.diaries B. Swinney, the editor of the Fort Branch 
Times, which he established in October, 191 1. Mr. Swinney was born 
August i_>. [888, m Lincoln City, Indiana, the son of Crutcher C. and Jennie 
(Wright) Swinney. both natives of Indiana. His father died in October, 
[8 i,v and liis mother i- still living. 

Charles B. Swinney was educated in the public schools of Fort Branch, 
and when a chance was offered to learn the newspaper business he readily 
accepted the opportunity. While -till a boy he started in the printing office 
of C, B. Speer, editor of the Herald, at Fort Branch. Indiana, lie then 
worked for a time in the Courier-Journal office at Louisville. Kentucky, and 
in 101 1. at the age of twenty-three, established the Fort Branch Tunes, and 
has continued as editor and manager of this weekly paper since that time. 
He also lias a large job printing business and is rapidly coming to the front 
as an enterprising newspaper man. 

Air. Swinney was married on November 30. 1912, at Fort Branch, 
Indiana, to Alice E. Polk, the daughter of Mr. and Airs. William ( '. Polk, and 
to this union there has been born one son, Jack William, who was born 
November 21, [912. Mr. Swinney is a Democrat in politics and in his paper 
he espouses the principles of that party 111 an able and fearless manner. The 
Polk family, of which Mrs. Swinney is a member, is one of the most prom- 
inent families, not only of this county, but ol southern Indiana during the 
early history of the state. Mr. Swinney's grandfather. Merit Swinney, was 
-1 leading physician of Spencer county, Indiana, for many years, although 
later in life he went to Evansville, where he was engaged in tin- grocery busi- 
ness. 

Mr. Swinney is at the threshold of a long and useful career as a news- 
paper man and. with the energy and ability which he has shown thus far in 
the conduct of his paper, he bids fair ti > become a man of influence in his 
comity. A good newspaper is the means of doing an incalculable amount of 



496 GIBSON COUNTY, INDIANA. 

good, and the standard which has been set by Air. Swinney shows that he is a 
public-spirited citizen, who wants to put his newspaper on the right side of all 
public questions. 



JOHN J. HOLLIS. 

Among the strong and influential citizens of Gibson county the record 
of whose lives has become an essential part of the history of this section, the 
man whose name appears above occupies a prominent place and for years he 
has exerted a beneficial influence in the locality where he resides. His chief 
characteristics are keenness of perception, a tireless energy, honesty of pur- 
pose and motive, and every-day common sense, which have enabled him not 
only to advance his own interests, but also largely contribute to the moral and 
material advancement of the community. 

John J. Hollis, than whom no farmer in Patoka township. Gibson 
county. Indiana, enjoys a higher degree of popular confidence and regard, 
was born about three and one-half miles south of Princeton on the old Hollis 
homestead on April 10, 1838, and is the son of Othniel Hollis. who was born 
in 1807, in Raleigh, North Carolina. Othniel Hollis lived in North Carolina 
until he was seventeen years of age, when he came to Gibson county where he 
had an uncle, Bazil P>rown, engaged in the hotel business in Princeton. His 
wife was Micha Ann Steward, a native of Maryland, born in 1809. She lived 
to be sixty vears of age and died on the farm near Princeton. She was one 
of the charter members of the Cumberland Baptist church at Princeton, and 
was a consistent member throughout her life. Othniel Hollis worked on 
farms in different parts of Gibson county for a while and later purchased 
eighty acres of wild land about two and one-half miles south of Princeton, 
which he cleared and put into good shape. He purchased a little later forty 
additional acres lying about one-half mile southeast of his original tract and 
on this he built a home, where the famliy lived for several years. In later 
years he bought a home on South Main street in Princeton, and after the 
death of his wife made his home with the subject of this sketch for a time. 
He died in 1882, at the age of seventy-four. For many years he was a faith- 
ful member of the Liberty congregation of the Regular Baptist church, east 
of Fort Branch. Indiana. Othniel Hollis and wife were the parents of nine 
children, namelv : The first child was an infant which they lost; Fannie 
Elizabeth and Robert Alexander, both deceased; John J., the immediate sub- 



GIBSON COl N H , INDIANA. 



W 



ject of this sketch; Ellen, widow of Joseph Ashmead, of Terre Haute, Indi- 
ana; Bartlett 15. ; an infant; a little (laughter, Sarah, and Louisa, aged seven- 
teen, all dead, and Gorilla, living with her brother Bartlett B. in Patoka town- 
ship. 

John J. Hollis had very little opportunity for schooling when a youth, 
and worked quite hard with his father on the home place. He remained at 
home until the beginning of the Civil war, when, in October, 1861, he enlisted 
in Company B, Fifty-eighth Regiment Indiana Volunteer Infantry, and served 
to January of 1865. He left on December 13, 1861, going to Louisville, 
Kentucky, and was in the battle of Chickamauga and. on account of weak 
eyes as a result of measles, he was relegated to cook for his mess. He was 
four times wounded. On September 19, 1863, he was shot through the right 
foot, was also shot through the left leg, a shot which struck him in the 
left hip passed out through the right hip and he was also hit in the spine by a 
spent ball. He was taken to the field hospital on the next day and for fifteen 
days was held a prisoner near Murfreesboro. During this time all he had to 
eat was cockle and wheat and after fifteen days he was sent back to the Union 
lines. He had to lay on his face on a blanket thrown over a pile of stone for 
a long time. Four months later he got home and was disabled for a long 
time. 

On October 12, 1866, Mr. Flollis was united in marriage to Sarah 
Skelton, of Gibson county, who died in 1007. They were the parents of two 
children. Ella, who died aged two years, eight months and eight days, and 
Othniel, who died at the age of twenty months. Mr. and Mrs. Flollis have 
a foster son, William R. Knowles. whom they took when a boy six years old. 
He married Eva Gorley and they are farmers in Patoka township. After 
returning from the army, Mr. Flollis bought eighty acres of the old original 
Hollis homestead, which he still owns. He was also engaged in the furniture 
business in Princeton for several years. Also at one time he had lived in 
Posey county, Indiana, and for about four years they were in Owensville. 
in [88] they left the old farm homestead and he bought his present home 111 
Princeton, on the corner of South Main and Pinkney streets. 

Mr. Mollis is a man of delightful personality who counts his friends by 
scores. His life principles have been Mich as to win for him the confidence 
and respect of all and he has ever sought to better the community in which 
he made his home. lie is a charter member of Archer Post No. 28, Grand 
Army of the Republic. At the age of eighteen years he united with the 
(32) 



498 GIBSON COUNTY, INDIANA. 

Enon General Baptist church and has ever been a faithful and consistent 
member of same. His has been a clean, honest, open life, helpful to all 
and an excellent example to those with whom he comes in contact. 



SAMUEL HUGH ARCHER. 

There are individuals in nearly every community who, by reason of pro- 
nounced ability and force of character, rise above the heads of the masses 
and command the unbounded esteem of their fellow men. Characterized by 
perseverance and a directing spirit, two virtues that never fail, such men 
always make their presence felt and the vigor of their strong personality 
serves as a stimulus and incentive to the young and rising generation. To 
this energetic and enterprising class the subject of this review very properly 
belongs. Having never been seized with the roaming desires that have led 
man}- of Gibson county's young men to other fields of endeavor and other 
states, where they haw sought their fortunes. Air. Archer has devoted his life 
to industries at home and has succeeded remarkably well, as we shall see by a 
study of his life's history. 

Samuel Hugh Archer was born October 14, 1833, in I'atoka township, 
Gibson county, Indiana, the son of John and Catherine ( McMullen) Archer, 
the father a native of South Carolina and the mother of Kentucky. The 
paternal grandfather of the subject was Thomas Archer, who married a 
Miss McCalley in South Carolina, and Thomas was a son of Robert Archer. 
In 1806 or 1807 Samuel Hugh Archer's father, grandfather and great-grand- 
father, John, Thomas am! Robert, came from South Carolina through to 
Indiana in wagons, stopping on their way for a brief period in Tennessee. 
On arriving in the Hoosier state, after the long, tiresome and dangerous 
journey, they settled in White River township, Gibson county, fur a time and 
later purchased the land known as Captain Hopkins' place, which at that time 
was a virgin forest of heavy timber. 

Robert Archer, the great-grandfather of the subject, gave to the Presby- 
terian church some land to make the Archer cemetery, this burial ground thus 
accjuiring its name from the family and having been laid out over one hun- 
dred and ten years ago. Robert was a Revolutionary soldier and was a 
cripple. He died in his sixty-fifth year. His sister, a widow, Mrs. Boyd, 
was the first person interred in the Archer cemetery. To Robert Archer and 
wife were born six children. Rose, Nancv, Marv. Ebbie, Thomas and William. 



GIBSON COUNTY, INDIANA. |oo 

Thomas Archer, as a young man, acquired one hundred and sixty acres 
of land in Patoka township, two miles northwest of Princeton, securing this 
tract from the government. He was a fanner and stock raiser and was a 
very successful man. In later life he sold his farm and bought six acres north 
of Princeton, but later returned to the old home place, where his death oc 
curred. He was the father of the following children : ( i ) Robert lived all 
his life in Patoka township and was a farmer and stock raiser. (2) John 
lived in Gibson county and was a gunsmith and locksmith by trade. In 1850 
he settled on land south of Princeton where the Southern railroad shops are 
now located. The tract was covered with heavy timber, much of which had 
been blown down, the land comprising one hundred and sixty-eight acres. In 
the clearing of this place the subject of this sketch assisted. John, who was 
first a Whig and later a Republican, was a well known and highly respected 
man in his community, a member of the Reformed Presbyterian church, while 
his wife was a charter member of the Methodist Episcopal church. He died 
in 1865 and his wife in 1872. (3) Samuel, at the age of sixteen, started 
clerking in the store of Robert Stockwell at Princeton and later was made a 
partner in the firm, eventually buying Mr. Stockwell out. Later moving to 
Evansville, Indiana. Samuel, in partnership with John Mackey, engaged in 
the wholesale dry goods business, also engaging in banking. He was married 
to May Snethen and died in his eightieth year. (4) David lived in Prince- 
ton, where he was a clothing merchant for man}' years, also being interested 
in farming operations. He married Martha McCalley. 1 5 ) Beasey educated 
himself in the State University, and died at the age of twenty-six. (6) 
Thomas lived in Evansville, Indiana. He was an engineer of high ability, 
and ran the first engine on the Evansville & Terre Haute railroad out of 
Evansville sixty years age He was twice married. (8) Mary married John 
Munford. a farmer, and lived in Princeton. 101 Sarah died at the age of 
thin Of the above named children. Robert married Louisa, the 

widow of Brown W Is, who was killed in the battle of Resaca "ii May 14. 

1862. She lived in Princeton. To Robert and his wife was born a son, 
Robert A. On Robert's death she again married, becoming the wife of 
George Miller and they have two sons, Dr. ('. A. Miller, of Princeton, and 
Archibald, who died in the Philippine Islands while in the emplo) oi the gov- 
ernment as a teacher. 

John Archer, the subject's father, was the parent of the following chil- 
dren: 1 1 1 William. wh<> was born in iSjS and lived in Gibson county all 
his life, was a member ol the Eightieth Indiana Volunteer Infantrv and was 



500 GIBSON COUNTY, INDIANA. 

killed in the battle of Resaca. He was the husband of Jane King, who now 
lives in Princeton, and they had one child, William, who is a farmer at 
Montrose, Colorado. (2) James Wilson lived at home until his death, at the 
age of twenty-three. (3) Samuel, the subject. (4) Theodore Beasey lived 
at home until he reached the age of seventeen, when he enlisted in the Thirty- 
third Indiana Volunteer Infantry. While in his country's service he died 
from exposure, in 1863. He was buried in the Archer cemetery. (5 ) Sarah 
M., who is deceased, was the wife of Hugh Cairns. (6) Rachael Ann died 
young. (7) Margaretta also died young. 

The children of Samuel Archer and wife were: Anne, living near Port- 
land, Oregon; Lucy, also living near Portland, Oregon; Charles Archer, D. 
D. S., is located in Portland, where he deals in dental supplies. He is mar- 
ried and has a son, Samuel. To David Archer and wife were born two chil- 
dren, Beasey and Elizabeth, of Princeton. 

Thomas Archer, by his first marriage, was the father of three children: 
Fulton is deceased; Elzine is one of the oldest engineers on the Evansville & 
Terre Haute railroad, having been in its service for the last thirty years. He 
is married; Mary is unmarried and lives in California. 

John and Mary (Munford) Archer were the parents of the following 
children: Riley, who was married, died at the age of twenty-eight; Harvey, 
deceased, was a graduate of the State University and taught school. He was 
married to a Miss Emery, and she also is now deceased; William, deceased, 
was a member of the Fifty-eighth Indiana Volunteer Infantry during the 
Civil war and was wounded at Murfreesboro. After the war he lived in 
Gibson county and married a .Miss McRoberts. He left two children on his 
death, John, who lives in Princeton, and Anne, also living in Princeton, and 
the widow of a Mr. Sabins. 

Samuel Hugh Archer, the subject of this review, received his early edu- 
cation in the primitive schools of pioneer times. He was compelled to go 
three or four miles to the little log school house, following blazed trails 
through the forest, the children riding through the dense wo. ids three on a 
horse. The subject lived at home until he reached the age of twenty-two, 
when he and a brother, William, borrowed money and went to the river bot- 
toms to engage in the raising of corn. They found a ready market at thirtv 
cents a bushel and were soon enabled to pay off their debt. Remaining at 
this business for four years, Mr. Archer next went to the state of Kentucky 
and sold fanning mills for two years, after which he returned to the old home 
place and he and his brother William farmed it until the brother enlisted in 



GIBSON COUNTY, INDIANA. 5OI 

the Union army. Samuel remained at the home to lake care of the family 
and the farm, and after the parents died he was appointed administrator and 
settled the estate. After their deaths he lived in Princeton for two years and 
then purchased one hundred and ten acres of land known as the Potter place. 
In the spring of 1871 he was united in marriage to Elizabeth O, Robb, of 
Gibson county, and this union has been blessed with the following children: 
Lluella married William W'yman. who is traffic manager for a railroad com- 
pany in Chicago; Mary is at home; Franklin married Elizabeth Gray and is 
farming on the home place; Sarah is at home; two died in infancy. In the 
years 1879 and 1880 Mr. Archer built his present splendid home and his 
place, which now comprises two hundred and six acres, is one of the finest 
in Patoka township. 

A progressive fanner and stock breeder, the subject has devoted much 
attention to the raising of fine stock-, specializing in Short Horn and Jersey 
cattle and Chester White, Berkshire, Poland China and Duroc Jersey Red 
hogs, also raising general purpose horses and mules. 

In 1858 the Gibson County Fair Association was organized and Mr. 
Archer was one of the incorporators, the association being reorganized in 
1864. Mr. Archer served as assistant superintendent, later as superintendent 
and eventually as general superintendent for eight years and as a director for 
fifteen years. He has always taken a deep interest in movements for the bet- 
terment of Gibson county in any line. A faithful member of the United 
Presbyterian church in Princeton, he has taken a great interest in its welfare. 

Mr. Archer has taken an especial interest in the upkeep of Archer ceme- 
tery, having added many improvements to it, among these being a fine iron 
fence and a gravel road leading to the burial place. The care of the grounds 
of this beautiful resting place of the dead has been a pleasant task for him 
and the beauty of these are the result of his solicitude. 



RICHARD R. II \ I. LOCK. 

It was remarked by a celebrated moralist and biographer that "there 
has scarcely passed a life of which a judicious and faithful narrative would 
not have been useful, - ' and especially is this true when the life under review 
is one that has closed its earthly career and permits the biographer to view the 
life as a whole and get a prospectus scarcely possible in the life of a living 



502 GIBSON COUNTY, INDIANA. 

man. Richard B. Hallock, the honored subject of this memoir, was one of 
the worthy citizens of Princeton in an early day and by his business ability, 
honor and integrity, coupled with a winning personality, he did much to ad- 
vance the social and business welfare of this community. It was he who 
opened the first drug store in Princeton, on the south side of the square, and 
he was also the genial host of the hostelry known as the Hallock House, at 
whose hospitable board many of the famous visitors to Princeton sat down in 
early days. 

Richard B. Hallock was born March 15, 1815. and died September 1. 
1895. His birth place was Tuckerton. Burlington county, New Jersey, and 
he was a son of the Rev. John Hallock and Lydia, his second wife. They 
were both natives of Tuckerton, where the Rev. Mr. Hallock was a preacher 
of the Quaker faith. After the death of his wife. Mr. Hallock, together 
with three maiden sisters and his three sons, came west and located in Illinois. 
south of Friendsville and near Mt. Carmel. Here they had considerable 
land, which they farmed, and they also had a general store and in addition 
manufactured castor oil. One of the sons moved to Evansville, Indiana, 
where he died. The father also later lived in Evansville, and it was at that 
point his death occurred. Aaron, another son, lived at Mt. Carmel, Illinois. 
The Rev. John Hallock was a fine man, quite prominent and well known in 
his day. 

The third son who came with the father was Richard B.. the subject of 
this sketch. He received his early education in the public schools. He first 
acquired the trade of a cabinet-maker and later became a druggist. He was 
m the dru.u business in New York state and also in Philadelphia, and he and 
his brothers, Allen C. and James, were in the drug business in Xew York City 
before the father and sons came to Illinois, and were associated with the rest 
of the family in the manufacture of castor oil. In addition to their other 
business interests, they operated flat boats on the river, going as far as New 
Orleans, where they disposed of the produce that formed their cargo. The 
father and his three sons were men of importance in their community and 
were widely known. After coming to Princeton, Richard B. Hallock oper- 
ated his drug store in various locations until his retirement in 1888. 

In April. 1844. Mr. Hallock was united in marriage to Malinda 
Parmenter, of Albion. Illinois. She was the daughter of Isaac and Sarah 
(Ulter) Parmenter, originally of Mt. Carmel. The father was a farmer and 
was one of the leading men in the Indian war. ranking as colonel. His death 



GIBSON COUNTY, INDIANA. 



0"J 



was due to a bullet wound in the forehead received during one oi the numer- 
ous skirmishes. It was after his marriage that Mr. Hallock came to Prince- 
ton and here they resided during many years, endearing themselves to all. 
Mrs. Hallock was an exceptionally line woman, and was the pioneeer nurse 
of Gibson county. For a while she was second matron of the < )rphans' Home 
at Princeton, where her great heart found an outlet for its wonderful store 
of motherly love. Soon after their arrival in Princeton, Mr. and Airs. Hal- 
lock identified themselves with the Cumberland Presbyterian church and dur- 
ing the remainder of their lives gave much of their time and means to further 
its influence on the community. Into the ideal home these two worthy ones 
made, ten children were born, three of whom, I.ydia. \niy and Eliza, died in 
early infancy; Harry died at the age of eleven, John at the age of thirty- 
three, and Charles at the age of forty-five. Sarah lives in Pasadena, Cali- 
fornia, the widow of the Rev. J. E. Jenkins, who tilled the pulpit of the Cum- 
berland Presbyterian church in Princeton for thirty-three years. To their 
union were born four children. Mary, .Minnie, Catherine and Annie. Richard, 
one of the sons of this excellent family, was a teacher in the schools of Gibson 
county for fourteen years and is now in the director} business at Peoria, Illi- 
nois. He remains unmarried. The two remaining children. Mafinda and 
William E., have always remained in the old home. Both were educated in 
the schools of Princeton and in the year [886 William E. began the manufac- 
ture ot brooms and is still engaged in that business at No. ^jj Smith Gibson 
-treei. Uso for the past twenty-five years he has propagated sweet potato 
sets for the spring plantings and this business has assumed considerable pro- 
portions, so that now he supplies almost the whole n\ Gibson county. Will- 
iam E.'s political sympathies are with the Republican party, as were those of 
his honored father, and he and his sister Malinda are members of the First 
Presbyterian church. The family is well and widely known throughout the 
country, having contributed in no small waj to its advancement along various 
lines. 

The influence of such a life as that of Richard 1!. Hallock cannot be esti- 
mated by an\ earthly standard. His friends and associates know him in his 
outward life as a man of sterling worth, one whose every wish it was to ad- 
vance the cause of humanity, and needless to say there were many helpful 
and beautiful deeds recorded to his credit of which the world knew nothing. 

His was a life that measured up to the tull stature ol manh I, and in saying 

that, there is nothing more that can be added. 



5 n 4 GIBSON COUNTY, INDIANA. 

CAPT. CHARLES BROWNLEE. 

Few men in the city of Princeton, Gibson county, Indiana, are so widely 
and favorably known as the worthy gentleman whose name initiates this para- 
graph. He is one of those strong and influential citizens whose lives become 
an essential part of the history of a community, and for years his name has 
been synonymous with all that constitutes an honorable and upright manhood. 
Tireless energy, keen perception and honesty of purpose, combined with 
every-day common sense, are among his chief characteristics, and while ad- 
vancing his own individual success he has largely promoted the moral and 
material welfare of his community. 

Captain Charles Brownlee was born in the house in Princeton where he 
yet resides, on January 17, 1S39, the son of John and Jane (Harrington) 
Brownlee. The father was born in Carlisle, Pennsylvania, December 18, 
1794, and the mother in North Carolina January 15, 1804. To the parents 
of the subject were born eleven children, namely : George, deceased, was 
born August 12, 1828; William, born February t8, [830; James, born Aug- 
ust 17, -1834; Hugh, born December 12, 1836; Charles; Catherine, born 
March 1, 1841 : Thomas, born August 2_^. [843; John, born .August 2^,, 1846; 
Alex, born January 23, 1849; one child died in infancy. 

The subject's father was a merchant, as was also his father before him, 
they having started in business together in 1811, and the business has been 
in the family for over a century, having beeen handed down through four 
generations. Grandfather Harrington was the first judge in Gibson county. 

The subject of this review enlisted in the Eightieth Indiana Volunteer 
Infantry on August 11, 1862, under Captain Simmonson, and was elected 
second lieutenant by the members of his company, in which position he served 
for one month, when he was promoted to the captaincy, holding that office 
until the practical end of the war, resigning on account of ill health in 1864. 
Four of the subject's brothers were in the Union army and all served honor- 
ably through that conflict and returned to their homes. The command in 
which Captain Brownlee was an officer was engaged in a number of the 
biggest battles of that sanguinary conflict, also taking part in many lesser 
engagements. They took part in the battle of Perryville. were in the fight- 
ing in eastern Tennessee and were with General Burnsides at Kingston and 
Morristown. acquitting themselves with great credit to their state and nation. 
Captain Brownlee, in recalling the terribly cold winter through which they 
passed in eastern Tennessee, remarks that in order to keep warm "thev burned 





*<^<7 ^ ^vz^^-^^ 




GIBSON COUNTY, [NDIANA. 505 

up all the rails in that part of tin* state." On returning home from the 
service of his country the subject resumed the mercantile business, in which 
he was engaged the rest of his life up to the time of his retirement in Febru- 
ary, 191 1. 

The subject's father was a private in J. W. Crockett's Kentucky volun- 
teer regiment, while his grandfather Harrington and two sons fought in the 
battle of Tippecanoe, one of the sons, James, being killed in that battle. 

Captain Brownlee has been thrice married. In 1874 he was united in 
matrimony to Sallie Hall, and to this union were born two children, Paul, 
who is conducting a store, and Therese, who married Charles Smith, of 
Dyersburg, Tennessee. In 1882 the subject's second marriage occurred, this 
time to Mariah Hall, a sister of his first wife. One child blessed this union, 
Cornelia, who is now an artist in the city of Chicago. Captain Brownlee mar- 
ried Charlotte Lockhart, his present wife, in 1889, and to them has been born 
a son, Allan Lockhart, who is attending Purdue University at Lafayette, 
Indiana. 

The Brownlee family has lived in the present home since 1834, it being 
one of the oldest and best constructed houses in the county. It contains a 
good old-fashioned fireplace, the rooms are large, and it is indeed a tine old 
home, situated on a hill and commanding a splendid view. 

Having cast his first vote for Abraham Lincoln. Captain Brownlee has 
ever since allied himself with the Republican party. A member of the cit\ 
council, he has given the best thought to matters of interest to his home city. 
His mother was a member of the Methodist Episcopal church and was one 
of the organizers of the first church of that denomination in Princeton. Cap- 
tain Brownlee is an honored member of the Grand Army of the Republic. 



ROBERT M. MORTON 



The biographies of enterprising men, especially of good men. arc in- 
structive as guides and incentives to others. The examples they furnish oi 
patient purpose and steadfast integrity strongly illustrate what is in the power 
of each to accomplish. Some men belong to no exclusive class in Hie. ap- 
parently insurmountable obstacles have in many instances awakened then- 
dormant faculties and served as a stimulus to carry them to ultimate success, 
if not renown. The instances of success in the face of adverse fate would 
almost seem to justify tin conclusion that -elf -reliance, with a half chance. 



506 GIBSON COUNTY, INDIANA. 

can accomplish any object. The life of Robert M. Morton, well known 
throughout Gibson county, is an example in point, for by his individual efforts 
and close adherence to his every duty he has overcome the obstacles en- 
countered on the highway of life and is now very comfortably fixed regarding 
this world's goods and has at the same time won a reputation for right living 
among his fellow men. 

Robert M. Morton is a native of Gibson county, Indiana, born November 
23, 1845, on a farm near Oakland City. He is the son of Alexander and 
Susan J. (McConnell) Morton. Alexander Morton was born in Chester 
district. South Carolina, and his wife Susan was a native of Ohio. The 
father of Alexander Morton was Thomas, a native of South Carolina, who 
married Margaret Bell of that state. Early in their married life, they, in 
company with several other families, went westward and settled near Knox- 
ville, Tennessee. They only made a crop or two there and, being dissatisfied 
witli tlie location, journeyed on until they reached Gibson county, Indiana. 
The Morton family obtained ground near Summerville. It was all in virgin 
forest, but, undaunted, they set about the laborious task of reclaiming the 
broad acres from the grip of the wilderness. A clearing was soon made in 
which the pioneer cabin was erected, and there the balance of their lives was 
passed. Thomas was killed in a runaway accident and the wife remained 
on the homestead until her death. Thomas Morton and wife were the par- 
ents of eight children, namely : Alexander, father of the immediate subject 
of this sketch; Thomas. John. Elizabeth, Nancy, Mary, Robert and Donald C. 

Alexander Morton remained at his father's home until his marriage to 
Susan J. McConnell, at which time he obtained a tract of wild land adjoining 
the farm of his father, and here he endured the hardships of the pioneers 
while they were clearing their ground and putting in the first crops. He 
died comparatively young, at the age of forty-five years, and the wife con- 
tinued to reside on tiie farm until she had raised the family, when she moved 
to Princeton, where she died. They were the parents of six children: Rob- 
ert M., the subject of this sketch, was the oldest: Patrick Henry, a farmer 
residing in Livermore, Kentucky: David, deceased; Margaret, residing in 
Princeton, is the widow of Reuben Seibert; Mary, wife of John Jones, a 
farmer in Washington township, this county, and the youngest is Nancy, also 
residing in Washington township, and the widow of James Lowe. Alexander 
Morton and wife were members of the Covenanter church and lived fully 
consistent with the tenets of their faith. 

Robert M. Morton attended the public schools of Gibson county in his 



GIBSON COUNTY, tNDIANA. $OJ 

boyhood and on August 16, t86i. at the age of sixteen years, he enlisted 
in Company F, Thirty-third Regiment Indiana Volunteer Infantry, and 
served until June i. [864. He enlisted at Princeton and was first sent to 
Indianapohs where the regiment was organized and was then sent into 
Tennessee and joined the Army of the Cumberland. lie remained with that 
command until the close of the war. After the expiration of Ins first enlist- 
ment, he promptly re-enlisted in the same company and regiment until he was 
mustered out July 21, 1865. On July jo, 1864, at Teach Tree (reek, Georgia, 
he was shot through the right hip and was confined to the hospital for eleven 
months. He was taken a prisoner south of Franklin, Tennessee, on April 0. 
[863, and was within the confines of Libby prison for thirty days, at which 
time his exchange was effected. After the close of the war, he returned to 
his home in Gibson county, where he engaged in agricultural work and also 
attended school. He fitted himself for a school teacher and followed this 
vocation for five winters. 

On October 21, [869, Mr. Morton was united in marriage to Nancy E. 
Murphy, of Gibson county, daughter of William L. and Margaret 1 McCon- 
nell i Murphy. After his marriage, he was engaged in farming in different 
parts of Gibson county, and gave up this line of work in 1878, when he 
settled in Princeton, where he has since resided. He lias engaged in various 
lines of industry, among them being carpentry, general contracting, saw-mill 
and lumber business and also operated a threshing machine. In [891 Mr. 
Morton built his present commodious home at No. 1235 South Main street, 
Princeton, where a heart}' welcome always awaits his main' friends. 

Mr. Morton is a member of Archer Post No. 28, Grand Army of the 
Republic, at Princeton, and is also a consistent member of the Presbyterian 
church, to which In- gives liberal support. Mr. and Mrs. Morton are the 
parents ol three children, the oldest of whom is Oliver P., who is engaged 
in the restaurant business in Princeton. I lis wife was Maud I wing and 
they are the parents of three children. Jennie, Rosa Belle ami Erhmaline. 
Another son, LeRoy, is connected with the police department of the city of 
Evansville, Indiana. lie married Mary Hamilton and to their union one 
son has been horn, Cecil R. The daughter oi the family, Cordelia, is tin- 
wife of R. E. Herring of Moberly, Missouri, and they arc the parents of two 
children, Robert Earl and Lawrence 

Some one has said that the story of any life is well worth the reading and 
surely this is particularly true of the life of a good man. Highly interesting 
and edifying it would doubtless Ik- to know oi the hidden battles waged from 



508 GIBSON COUNTY, INDIANA. 

time to time, but all the world can see is the life as a whole. Robert M. 
Morton is a man who stands high in the estimation of his associates, is well 
known and highly respected by a wide circle of friends and acquaintances, and 
this is a fitting tribute to his sterling character. 



JOHN RILEY ERVIN. 



Indefatigable industry, sound business judgment and wise management 
have been the elements which have contributed to the success achieved by 
John R. Ervin, for many years an enterprising and progressive farmer of 
Patoka township, Gibson county. Indiana, but who has now retired and re- 
sides in Princeton. His farming lands have always been well improved and 
highly productive, being numbered among the best farms of the township, 
and, because of his high character and unquestioned integrity, he enjoys to a 
marked degree the sincere respect of the community. In addition to a general 
line of farming, Mr. Ervin has always paid particular attention to his live 
stock and has taken much interest in his good breeds of horses, mules, cattle, 
sheep, Poland China hogs, etc. 

John Riley Ervin, one of the older citizens of Gibson county, who has 
always enjoyed the high regard of all, was born March 13, 1834, one mile 
southwest of Princeton, a son of Robert and Martha (Stormont) Ervin, the 
latter being an aunt of Col. Gil R. Stormont. Robert Ervin was a native of 
Ireland and was brought to this country by his parents in 1804. when a little 
child of but three years. He is a son of Charles and Jane Ervin, and upon 
reaching America they located in Chester district. South Carolina, where they 
lived until 183 1. Charles died in South Carolina, and in the year above men- 
tioned the mother, with her four children. Ellen, Isabelle, Robert and Nancy, 
came to Gibson county. Robert, father of the immediate subject of this 
sketch, had married Miss Stormont in South Carolina before coming to Indi- 
ana. After arriving in Gibson county he obtained one hundred and sixty 
acres of wild land in Patoka township, heavily timbered with almost every- 
thing native to this section, and proceeded to make a home. He later pur- 
chased one hundred and sixty additional acres. The first house they had was 
a small cabin in the clearing and was made of poles. In this they lived until 
a frame house was completed in 1832. He had been a merchant in South 
Carolina, but always followed the vocation of farming after coming to Indi- 



GIBSON COUNTY, INDIANA. 5OQ 

ana. His death occurred in 1847 and that of his wife in 1861. < Iriginally 
he was a Whig in politic^, and when the Republican pari}- came into existence 
his sympathies want thai way. Mr. and Mrs. Robert Ervin were consistent 
members of the Presbyterian church and in that faith they reared their family 
of six children, namely: Margaret, deceased wife of John I Little, who 
lived south of Princeton; James Madden, deceased, who was a prosperous 
farmer and married Margaret Mumford; John R., the immediate subject 
of this sketch: Jam- Catherine, deceased wife of Calvin Woods, of Patoka 
township: Robert Harshaw, who was in Company A, Eighteenth Regiment 
Indiana Volunteer Infantry, took sick and died at Chattanooga, Tennes- 
see: Nancy Ellen, wife of George W. Shopbell, of Princeton, and Martha 
Amanda, deceased. 

John Riley Ervin had but a limited schooling in his youth, owing to 
the limited circumstances of his parents and the meager opportunities at best, 
and as a boy he worked hard, being kept at home to help clear the farm. He 
remained at home with his mother to the age of twenty-six years and on 
January 20, 1859, was united in marriage to Sarah A. Finney, born near 
Princeton on what is known as the Hester farm. She is a daughter of John 
K. and Lorena (Morgan) Finney, she a native of Indiana and he of Ken- 
tucky. The parents of John K. Finney were James and Jane 1 Makemson 1 
Finney, natives of Virginia. They had gone into Kentucky at an early day 
and on into Gibson county, Indiana, in 1814, locating just south of Princeton, 
where they passed the remainder of their lives. John K. Finney lived on his 
father's old place until he retired in 1884, when he moved to Princeton and 
died at the age of seventy-two. His wife lived to be seventy-three years of 
age. They are the parents of several children, namely: Nancy J., deceased 
wife of Milton Mitnford, who is still living in Princeton; James Henry, who 
is a carpenter in I os Angeles, California: Minerva, the wife of George Shull, 
of Fort Branch, Indiana: Charles, deceased : John S., living in Bellville, Illi- 
nois; Martha E., wife ol Robert McClerkin, of Los Angeles, California; 
Isabelle. who died at the age of nineteen, and Robert, who resides in Nash- 
ville. Tennessee. Mrs. John R. Ervin was the second child of her parents in 
the order of birth. 

After their marriage, Mr. and Mrs. Ervin made their home on a part 
of the father- old place, making all of the improvements on it. Here a 
splendid barn, forty-four by ninety feet, burned on Vpril 31, [905, and was 
rebuilt the same year. In September, [893, Mr. Ervin retired from the active 
operation of his farm and located at No. 214 East Pinkne} street, Princeton, 



510 GIBSON COUNTY, INDIANA. 

where they have since resided. Mr. and Mrs. Ervin are well known through- 
out the county and are highly esteemed by all. Their home bears an air of 
hospitality enjoyed by many. Doth are members of the United Presbyterian 
church and Mr. Ervin is a Republican. While he has always taken an active 
interest in politics, he has never aspired to office. He is a man well preserved 
for his age and is blessed with a remarkable memory. Mary Alice, oldest 
daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Ervin, is the wife of Henry Lewis Binkley. of 
Princeton, and to them has been born one daughter, Hazel. Robert, a son, 
farms Mr. Ervin's land, and he and his wife ( formerly Anna Spore) are the 
parents of four children, Glenn, Gladys, Edith and Ruth. The third child is 
Charles Elmer, a successful dentist, located at Sixth and Alain streets, Terre 
Haute, Indiana, for the past twenty years. He married Agnes McMinn and 
to their union have been born two children. Arthur and Mildred. All of Mr. 
Ervin's children have received excellent educations. Throughout his life Mr. 
Ervin has aimed for the best in whatever he has undertaken and thus he has 
been able to accomplish much and well deserves his peaceful old age. happy in 
the knowledge of past accomplishments, his home a center for his family of 
younger generations. Such lives and homes are the "salt of the earth" and 
their benign influence is carried far and wide. 



NATHANIEL HITCH. 



The biographies of enterprising men. especially of good men. are in- 
structive as guides and incentives to others. The examples they furnish of 
patient purpose and steadfast integrity strongly illustrate what is in the power 
of each to accomplish. Some men belong to no exclusive class in life; ap- 
parently insurmountable obstacles have in many instances awakened their 
dormant faculties and served as a stimulus to carry them to ultimate renown. 
The instances of success in the face of adverse fate would seem almost to 
justify the conclusion that self-reliance, with a half chance, can accomplish 
any reasonable object. The gentleman whose life history is herewith out- 
lined is a man who has lived to good purpose and achieved a splendid suc- 
cess. Bv a straightforward and commendable course he has made his way 
to a respectable position in the world, winning the hearty admiration of the 
people of his community and earning the reputation of being an enterprising, 
progressive man of affairs which the public has not been slow to rcognize and 
appreciate. 



GIBSON COUNTY, INDIANA. 5II 

Nathaniel Hitch was born one mile north of Patoka, Gibson county, Indi- 
ana, October 29. 1842, the son of Edward \V. and Mary ( Ale Mullen) Hitch, 
he a native of Delaware and she of Kentucky. The Hitch family was "i 
English stuck, and Edward \Y. was a son of Sovern Hitch, .if England, who 
came early to America and located in Bridgeville, near Wilmington, Dela- 
ware, where he was the owner and proprietor of the "Hull's Eye," a famous 
tavern, which he conducted until his death. To him were born the following 
children: Henry lived in Bridgeville. Delaware: Edward \V., the subject's 
father: Zachariah was an early settler and farmer near Patoka, Gibson 
county; Man lived near Bowling Green, Kentucky. 

Edward YV. Hitch, the subject's father, secured a very meager education 
in the crude schools of his boyhood days, being an orphan, and at the age of 
twenty he struck out toward the west to make his own way, < doming first to 
Cincinnati, he purchased a boat and went down the Ohio and Mississippi 
rivers to Natchez, Mississippi, where he secured a job cutting cord wood. 
Later, obtaining a Hat boat, the subject's father traveled far up and down the 
river selling wood, and in time acquired another boat, making trips as far 
clown the Mississippi as New Orleans. After engaging in this business for 
some time he sold out. and as he was returning north on a steamboat he was 
taken down with yellow fever, but managed to survive that terrible scourge. 
On his recovery be came to Gibson county and obtained a piece of wild land 
one mile north of Patoka, where he set about making a home, clearing the 
land, erecting a cabin and planting crops. Here he lived the remainder of 
his life, devoting his time to agriculture and stock raising, becoming a man of 
prominence in his community. He died in his eighty-fourth year, while his 
wife passed away at the age of eighty-six. In early life he was an old-lme 
Whig, but later became a Democrat. He and his wife were members of the 
Cumberland Presbyterian church. To them were lit.ru the following chil- 
dren: Nathaniel; William Henry, a farmer at Princeton; Mary is the widow 
of William (i. Cunningham and lives at Patoka; Vincent, a farmer and lo 
ger at Patoka; Millie lues at Patoka; Nicholas I',. 1. a fanner at Wheatland. 
Indiana: Emma J. was the wife of John Trippert and both are deceased; 
Edward is a retired farmer living at Princeton. 

The early education of Nathaniel Hitch was acquired in a primitive pay 
school. He lived at home until he reached his twentieth year, and then 
traveled in many parts of the South and West. lie taught school m Missouri 
for a while and was engaged in different businesses. The subject was twice 
married, first to Louisa Collins, of Missouri, and to ibis union was born one 
child. William E., who is a druggist in Wheatland, Indiana, .and who married 



512 GIBSON COUNTY, INDIANA. 

Florence Key. The subject's first wife died in Patoka. His second mar- 
riage was to Ellen (Robb) Steelman, of White River township. Gibson 
county, the daughter of David Robb, one of the prominent pioneers of this 
county. To this union were born seven children, namely : Lluella married 
George G. Curtner, of Lafayette, Indiana; Chauncy, a graduate of Purdue 
University, is a druggist at Lafayette, Indiana; Forest C. is in the barber 
business at Chattanooga, Tennessee; Clarence lives in Lafayette, Indiana, 
and is a traveling salesman ; Othniel is also a traveling salesman of Lafayette, 
Indiana; Purvis is a plumber at Evansville, Indiana; Paul, who is attending 
school, is living at home. He attended Culver Military Academy in 191 1. 

In 1866 Mr. Hitch returned to Gibson county for a brief period, and 
then traveled through the "West for some time. Returning in 1879, he pur- 
chased land near Patoka and engaged in farming and stock raising. He 
dealt extensively in land in that vicinity and in White River township, and 
still owns land in the latter townhsip. In 19 10 he removed to Princeton and 
located at his present home at No. 903 North Main street, where he is now 
residing in honorable retirement. 

Mr. Hitch is a well-read and well-posted man and is highly respected in 
his community. Always taking an active interest in politics, he is allied 
with the Progressive party. In matters of religious belief, he has been a 
member of the Methodist church for many vears. 



ISAAC A. LOCKWOOD. 



The biographies of the representative men of a county bring to light 
main hidden treasures of mind, character and courage, well calculated to 
arouse the pride of their family and of the community, and it is a source of 
regret that the people are not more familiar with the personal history of such 
men, in the ranks of whom may be found tillers of the soil, mechanics, 
teachers, as well as lawyers, physicians, bankers and members of other voca- 
tions and professions. The subject of this sketch is distinctively one of the 
leading citizens of Gibson county, and as such has made his influence felt 
among his fellow men and earned a name for enterprise, integrity and honor 
that entitles him to worthy notice in a work of the nature of this volume. 

Isaac A. Lockwood was born June 19. 1842, near Fort Branch, Gibson 
county, Indiana, the son of Stephen and Phoebe Tucker, who were born, 
reared and married in New York City. The subject's parents, together with 




IS \ \C A. I.OC'KWOOD. 



GIBSON COUNTY, INDIANA. 513 

two families named Parrett and Evans, came west at an early date, and first 
located at the place where Evansville, Indiana, now stands. The latter part of 
their journey was made by means of flat boats on the river. At the time 
they arrived at their stopping place there was but one cabin standing on the 
site of the present city of seventy thousand population. Stephen Lock- 
wood secured eight}- acres of land in what is now the main business section of 
the city, where he put up a log cabin and established a home, later conducting 
a store. About this time the state was 'completed from Evansville to 
Yincennes, and the subject's father sold his land and store and removed to 
Gibson county, locating near Fort Branch, on Pigeon creek. Here he erected 
a home and a water-power saw-mill, and about 18,^4 entered a large tract of 
land, on which he cut the first timber used m Princeton. Tie died in 1S47 an( l 
his wife passed away in 1875. He was a very active and successful business 
111,111 and made a great deal of money in the buying ami selling of horses, 
purchasing the animals in the north and taking them on flat boats to New 
Orleans, where there wa^ always a ready market at g 1 prices. It is re- 
lated that on his last trip down the river be was the loser of a considerable 
sum through accepting depreciated currency for his horses. On his return 
he stopped at Nashville. Tennessee, for a night, and on seeking to settle his 
bill for lodging was informed by the hotel man that his money was almost 
worthless, its face value having dropped then to twenty-five cents on 
the dollar. Stephen Lockwood died of winter fever while yet in the prime 
of life. He and his wife were members of the Methodist Episcopal church. 
To them were born the following children: Phoebe was born in New York 
City and died at the age of sixteen; James T., who was also born in New 
York City, was a prominent and wealthy farmer in Gibson county; Susan, 
deceased, was born in Indiana and married Thomas Dickson; John, who was 
a farmer at Fort Branch, died in tqti: Martha, who died in 1909, was the 
wife of Nemaw Picon, who went into the Confederate army and never re- 
turned: Sarah, deceased, was the wife of Nehemiah Garrison; [saac A.: 
Phoebe Ann, deceased, married Prank Sherman and they lived in Codatt, 
Wisconsin. 

Isaac A. Lockwood received but little education in the subscription 
school, early in life being compelled to do a man's pari in the work on the 
home place, helping bis mother to keep the faniiK together after the death 
of his father. On June u. [862, the subject enlisted in Company B, Fifty- 
eighth Indiana Volunteer Infantry, at Princeton, and. after being outfitted 

(33) 



514 GIBSON COUNTY, INDIANA. 

and drilled at Indianapolis, the company joined its regiment at Bardstown, 
Kentucky, and was attached to the Army of the Cumberland, taking part in 
all the engagements in which that army corps was engaged. On September 
19. [863, Mr. Lockwood was wounded during the battle of Chickamauga, 
being shot through the lungs and ribs, and in his injured condition he was 
captured by the Confederates, being kepi prisoner for fourteen days under 
the worst possible circumstances. The prisoners' beds were piles of stone 
covered with brush and they were fed on the. ground wheat and cockle so 
well remembered by those who were unfortunate enough to have been "guests" 
01 the South. Later Mr. Lockwood was exchanged and sent to the Union 
lines under a flag of truce. He was first taken to Chattanooga and housed in 
an old brick warehouse, and no beds or bedding being provided, the subject, yet 
suffering terribly from his wound, was compelled to lie on the damp floor, 
and he recalls that when he awoke in the morning he could hardly move. 
He was in the hospital at Chattanooga for lift} - days and was then taken 
with many other wounded soldiers to a point across the river from Bridge- 
port, Alabama, where they laid out in the woods for five days, then being 
loaded into box cars. Five wear)- days were consumed in reaching Mur- 
freeshoro, wdiere the train was stopped to take off the dead and those not 
expected to live, Mr. Lockwood being in the latter class and not far from 
the former. For thirty days the subject remained at Murfreesboro. and then 
was able to take advantage of a thirty days' furlough and return home, 
reaching home on Christmas eve. However, his troubles were not at an end. 
for three days later he was taken down with small-pox and was confined to 
his bed for forty days. On his recovery he reported to Camp Chase, Ohio, 
was exchanged and joined the army again, being thereafter in the great 
Atlanta campaign with Sherman on his "march to the sea." A participant in 
the Grand Review at Washington, D. C, the subject received an honorable 
discharge Tune 12. 1865, at Indianapolis, and returned to his home. 

On March 13. 1866, Mr. Lockwood was united in marriage to Sue \\. 
Foreman, of Baltimore. Maryland, the daughter of J. T. Foreman. Airs. 
Lockwood's father, in 1850. traded two steamboats and all the other prop- 
erty he possessed for three thousand acres of land near Tallahassee, Ten- 
nessee, which he had never seen, some of it settled by squatters. Here he 
built a line home and made many improvements, and continued to live until 
in 1863, after the battle of Stone's River, he and his family left the estate and 
came to Gibson county, Indiana. Mr. Foreman was a strong sympathizer 
with the Union cause, and he never went back to claim the land, nor have 



GIBSON COUNTY, INDIANA. JIj 

any of his heirs. The family secured a large trad of land near Fort Branch 
called the Sol Revis farm and lure they passed the rest of their days, the 

lather of .Mrs. Lockv* 1 dying on this place, as did also his wife. The 

subject's wile died January 27, 1889, after bearing to Mr. Lockwood the 
following children: Phoebe Josephine died in infancy; \nna Luella mar- 
ried Stephen Thomas and the) live northwest of Greenca tie Indiana; Ste- 
phen \\ . and Francis E. died in infanc\ ; .Maud is conducting manicuring and 
hair dressing parlors at Princeton; Ella is the wife of Joseph Kern, of 
Princeton; William Rodgers is in the butcher business at Evansville, In- 
diana; Allen died in infancy. 

Following his marriage, Air. Lockwood engaged in tanning near Fort 
Branch, continuing there until 1871, and after spending a year in Patoka 
removed to Evansville, where for eighteen years he followed the.vocation of 
carpenter and contractor. In 1890 he came to Princeton and helped build 
the Southern railroad shops. For the last eight years he has had the Gibson 
count}- agency for the medicines and soaps of T. M. Sayman, of St. Louis, 
and has built up a very remunerative business in this line. 

Mr. Lockwood is a remarkably well preserved man for bis age, is active 
and keeps fully posted on current events, his up-to-date and progressive ideas 
and methods having made him a man whose advice is often sought by his 
many friends. He is a member of Archer Post, Grand Army of the Re- 
public, at Princeton, and belongs to the Methodist Episcopal church. 



BENJAMIN KEITH ASHCRAFT. 

It is not an easy task to describe adequately a man who has led an emi- 
nently active and busy life and who has attained a position of relative dis- 
tinction in the community in which in- interests were allied. But biography 
finds its most perfect justification nevertheless, in the tracing .Mid recording 
of such a life history, h is, then, with a full appreciation of all that is de- 
manded and of the painstaking scrutiny that must lie accorded each statement, 
ami yet with a feeling of satisfaction, that the writer essays the task oi 
touching briefly upon the details of such a record as was thai oi die gentle- 
man whose name heads this paragraph, who, though long since passed over 
that "dark river." vet still lives in the memories of his fellow men as one who 
lived well his life. 

Benjamin Keith \shcraft was born in Grayson county, Kentucky. His 



5 16 GIBSON COUNTY, INDIANA. 

great-grandfather, Jeremiah Ashcraft, removed in an early day from Penn- 
sylvania to Kentucky and located in Grayson county, where he purchased 
land for his three sons, Jacob, John and Daniel. After thus giving them a 
start in life, the great-grandfather of the subject started back to the Keystone 
state, but on the way was attacked and killed by Indians. 

Daniel Ashcraft was the grandfather of the subject. He was a soldier 
in the border wars during the Indian troubles and was twice wounded, his 
wife also being wounded once. He was born March 13, 1768, and died June 
5. 1842. He married Sarah Dye October 18, 1793. She was born March 21, 
1775, and died September 17, 1845. 

One of the sons of Daniel Ashcraft was Jediah, the father of the sub- 
ject. Jediah was born December 12. 1704. He married Ann Wilson, of 
Grayson county, Kentucky, February 10, 1820, she having been born October 
19, 1797. They were the parent- of four sons and live daughters ami were 
early setlers in Gibson county. Their children were: Elizabeth, who mar- 
ried a Mr. Lamb; Emily is the wife of Lewis Laws; Benjamin Keith; James 
and Joseph, who settled in Illinois; Eliza, deceased, never married; Thomas 
located in Illinois; one daughter died in infancy. 

Although the subject received a very limited education, he had become, 
by constant reading and observation, quite a scholarly man. his remarkable 
memory being a great help to him in his readings. Early in life he went with 
his parents to Richland county, Illinois, and settled ten miles southeast of 
Olney, where he worked out for several years. On August 21, i860, Mr. 
Ashcraft was married to Tirzah M. Stewart, of White River township. Gib- 
son county. Indiana, a daughter of Lew Samuel A. and Lucinda (Howe) 
Stewart. Rev. Samuel A. Stewart was born in Virginia, and after living in 
Grayson county, Kentucky, for a period, came to this county and settled in 
White River township, entering virgin land from the government. In addi- 
tion to cultivating bis land, which comprised one hundred acres, he was a 
minister of the Methodist Episcopal church. His death occurred on the home 
place, while his wife died in Princeton. Perhaps the most dominant and 
notable characteristic of Mrs. Ashcraft's father was his fidelity to truth and 
honor. He invariably sought the things that were "honest and of good re- 
port." In the training of his children no precepts were so constantlv or so 
urgently insisted upon as those which concern sound and worthy character. 
He taught that honor and truthfulness were of such commanding worth that 
self interests should never under any circumstances set them aside. These 
principles were the standards by which he estimated men and to which he 



G1RSON COUNTY, [NDIANA. 517 

religiously held himself. Whatever else he might do or fail to do, he meant 
to be in all his actions right before his Creator and his fellow men. I lis life 
was an inspiration to all who knew him, and'his memory remains to his 
friends and surviving children as a blessed benediction of a noble ami upright 
character. While advancing his individual interests, he never lost sight of 
his obligations t" the community in general, and during his mature life he 
held a hgh place in the confidence and esteem of all who knew him. 

To the parents of Mr-, ^shcraft were horn eleven children: Elizabeth, 
deceased, was the wife of Andrew Milburn: William S. is deceased; Thomas, 
who was a farmer in White River township, married Susan Hudelson and 
both are now deceased; Robert died young; Tirzah, the subject'- wife; John 
\\ esley, deceased, was a farmer and a soldier in the Civil war. He married 
Emma Lawrence, who is now living in White River township; Mary J., the 
widow of Frank Taylor, a Civil war veteran, lives in Princeton; Nathaniel 
Floyd, who was also in the army, married Addie Lennox; Sarah Ellen, 
Rachael and Lucien died young. 

After their marriage Mr. and Mrs. Ashcraft lived in Richland county. 
Illinois, for ten years, and then came to Gibson county. Indiana, and located 
on the old Stewart homestead in White River township, taking care of Mrs. 
Stewart in her old age. After her death they continued on the home place 
until their removal to Princeton, where the subject died on .March 17. 1897. 

While never seeking public office. Air. Ashcraft was interested in the 
success of the Democratic party, while his religious affiliation was with the 
Methodist Episcopal church. His widow, who was born June jo. [833, is an 
estimable lady and is very well known in Princeton and Gibson county. She 
is very well preserved for her age ami 1- a pleasing woman to converse with. 
She has done a great deal of hair art work and some painting, her habit being 
to always be busy. 



LUTI1LR BENSON. 



The gentleman whose name appears al the head of this biographical 
review needs no introduction to die people of Gibson county, since his entire 
life has been spent here, a life devoted not onl) to the fostering of his own 
interests, but also to the welfare of the community at large. \n honorable 
representative of one of the esteemed families of In- community and a gentle- 
man of high character and worth) ambitions, he has lilled no small place in 
the public view, as the important official positions he ha- held bear witness. 



5l8 GIBSON COUNTY, INDIANA. 

He is a splendid type of the intelligent, up-to-date, self-made American in the 
full sense of the term, a man of the people, with their interests at heart. As 
a citizen he is progressive and abreast of the times in all that concerns the 
common weal. Although a partisan, with strong convictions and well de- 
fined opinions on questions on which men and parties divide, he has the 
esteem and confidence of the people of the community and his friends are in 
number as his acquaintances, regardless of party ties. 

Luther Benson, the subject of this sketch, was born January 25, 1877, 
the son of Sylvester and Nancy A. ( Ewing) Benson. Sylvester Benson was 
born in Montgomery township, Gibson county. July 10, 1823, and has re- 
mained in this county since, he now being its oldest living resident, having 
reached the age of ninety. During his long lifetime he has followed agricul- 
ture for a livelihood. He served three terms as a county commissioner, being 
elected in 1876, 1879 and 1882, and was a member of the board when the 
present court house was built. His wife died March 10. 1809. They were 
the parents of eight children, of whom seven survive : William C. lives in 
Owensville; James E., Benjamin F. and John G. are farmers, and live north- 
west of Owensville; Mrs. Margaret Johnson lives in Centralia, Illinois; Mrs. 
Lilly Scott lives on the old home place; Luther. The subject's grandfather, 
William Benson, came to Gibson count} from Kentucky at an early date. 

Luther Benson was educated in the common schools of Montgomery 
township and the Owensville high school, this being supplemented by a course 
in Indiana University. Deciding on the practice of law for his life work, 
he began the study of that profession, and was admitted to the bar in 1900, 
since that time having been actively engaged in bis profession, being highly 
respected, not only for his brilliant legal attainments, but for his intense in- 
terest in all that will advance the interests of his community. 

On April 5, 1899, Mr. Benson was united in marriage with Gertrude 
Johnson, daughter of Henry Johnson, of Owensville. This union has been 
blessed by the birth of two daughters, Pauline and Mary. 

The subject has always taken a deep interest in political affairs and was a 
member of the Indiana Legislature in the session of 1906-7, having been 
elected on the Republican ticket, during which term he was active in behalf 
of many good measures and his services as a legislator were highly appre- 
ciated by his constituents. Mr. Benson is now allied with the Progressive 
party. 

The Benson family on the paternal side came from good old Irish stock, 
the great-grandfather, James Benson, having left the Emerald Isle and emi- 



GIBSON COLXTV, INDIANA. 519 

grated to America before the Revolutionary war, and in that struggle he was 
a soldier under General Washington. He settled in Pennsylvania and re- 
sided in that slate until 1787, when he removed to Miller's Station, Bourbon 
county, Kentucky, where he lived until his death. lie married Mary Taylor, 
who was born at Little York, Pennsylvania, in [760, and she dud m Gibson 
county, Indiana. They were the parents of a large family of children, but 
none i.s now living. Sylvester Benson, father of the subject, was born July 
10, 1823, and learned the trade of wheelwright with his father. He remained 
at home until the fall of 1S45. when his father gave him eighty acres of land, 
only seven acres of which were improved. Devoting himself industriously 
to the cultivation and development of his holdings, the subject's father was 
so successful in his management of affairs that he eventually became one of 
the largest land owners in the county. He was married July 10. [867, to 
Nancy Ann Ewing, who was born in Jasper, Dubois county, Indiana, the 
daughter of Moses and Nancy (Stillwell) Ewing. Judging from the emi- 
nently worth) record of Mr. Benson in the past and the fact that he is only 
in the prime of life, the future for him will evidently be replete with honor 
and greater success than he has yet achieved. 



JAMES P. COX. 

A man wdiose influence has been potent for the promotion and dissem- 
ination of the literature of the General Baptist church is James I'. t ,,\. who 
is now editor of the Baptist Messenger, of Owensville, Indiana, lie was born 
in Pose) county, Indiana. October 5. 1850. the son of Joshua and Caroline 
i Britton) Cox, his father belli;;- a native of Indiana and his mother oi K 
tucky. Air. Cox received his common school education in Pose) count)-, and 
early in life entered a printing office learn the practical side of print 
After qualifying as a printer he traveled for some years in the West and 
South as a journeyman printer, settling permanently in < Kvensville, Indiana, 
in 1887. where he established the Baptist Messenger, a weekl) Baptisl paper, 
which covers several states. In addition to his editorial duties as < "i 

the church paper, he also published the Gibson Co ir, a local paper, tor 

about fifteen years. In on [ he sold this local organ to the present owner. 
Inn still continues as editor of {hv Baptist Messenger. 

In 1900 Mr. Cox took a trip to the Old World and visited England, 
France, Belgium, Holland and other countries. I K> attended the Interna- 



5 2 ° GIBSON COUNTY, INDIANA. 

tional Christian Endeavor convention held in London and also visited the 
Paris Exposition. 

Mr. Cox has always been very active in the affairs of the General Bap- 
tist church, and has held various offices in this denomination. He is now 
secretary of the General Association of General Baptists, also of Liberty As- 
sociation of General Baptists, as well as secretary of the board of trustees of 
Oakland City College, which is managed by this church. Fraternally, he is a 
member of the Knights of Pythias and the Tribe of Ben-Hur. Mr. Cox has 
been a leader in the affairs of his church for many years and his counsel and 
advice are frequently sought by the members of his denomination. His paper 
has a wide circulation among the members of this church and is recognized 
as one of the leading church papers of the country. 

Mr. Cox was married in 1900 to Sabra Barton, the daughter of John 
and Isabel ( Barnes) Barton, of Vunderburg county. Indiana. Thev are the 
parents of three children. Mr. Cox also has a daughter by a former marriage. 



ALBERT MILLS. 



Agriculture has been an honored vocation from the earliest ages and as 
a usual thing men of honorable and humane impulses, as well as those of 
energy and thrift, have been patrons of husbandry. The free out-of-door 
life of the farmer has a decided tendencv to foster and develop that inde- 
pendence of mind and self-reliance which characterizes true manhood and no 
truer blessing can befall a boy than to be reared in close touch with nature 
in the healthful, life-inspiring labor of the fields. It has always been the 
fruitful soil from which have sprung the moral bone and sinew of the coun- 
try, and the majority of our nation's great warriors, renowned statesmen and 
distinguished men of letters were born on the farm and were indebted largely 
to its earl}- influence for the distinction which they have attained. 

Albert Mills, who was born about five miles east of Princeton. 
Gibson county, Indiana, on May 5, 184,^, was the son of Durston 
and Louisa (Stapleton) Mills. Durston Mills was born on June 5, 1804, in 
Kennebec county. Maine, and was married on December 16, 1827, to Louisa 
Stapleton, who was born on April 28, 1808, in Robinson county. Tennessee. 
The subject's paternal grandfather, James Mills, was born in Kennebec 
count). Maine, in 1767, and married Rachel Courson. who was born in Maine 
in 1769, their marriage occurring in 1789. Their children were Effie, born 



r 
a 



- 

-3 



r 
w 




GIBSON COUNTY, INDIANA. 521 

in 1790; Richard, born in 1792; Zyasa, born 1794; Asa, in 1796; Bracket, in 
[798; Daniel, 1800; James, [802; Durston, i8o4;'John, [806; Mary, 1808; 
Samuel. 1810. and Caroline, 1812. 

James Mills, with his wife and children, left Maine in < (ctober, iNio. and 
came to Indiana in 1811, the long and tiresome journey from Maine being 
they came by boat to Evansville, then known as Smithville, thence by wagon 
to Gibson county, settling lour miles west of Princeton, on what is known as 
the Hudelson farm. They lived there for a while, but, on account of milk- 
sickness, they moved to White Oak Hills, tour miles easl of Princeton, where 
James Mills bought eight hundred acres of timber land. Here he cleared a 
place, put up a frame building, in which they started to make a home and 
clear the land. Eventually they located on what is now known as the Hyslop 
farm on the Patoka river, where they spent the remaining years of their lives, 
their deaths occurring as the result of milk sickness. Mr. Mills was a deacon 
in the Quaker church and a man well known and highly respected. The sub- 
ject's father was married in November, 1827, and soon .afterward- 
located on one hundred and twenty acres of land in what is now Center 
township, Gibson county, which he improved ami developed into a good 
farm and which he operated until his death, which occurred on May 14. 
1875, being survived by his widow, who died in [882. lie was a cabinet- 
maker by trade and also a farmer, and built many Hat boats on the Patoka 
river at Wheeling, being one of the first to engage in that work there. He 
was one of the leading agriculturists of his time in Gibson county and assisted 
in the organization of the agricultural society here in the early days. Pie 
was a Whig in politics during his early years, but on the organization of the 
Republican party he cast his fortunes with that party. Plis children were as 
follows: Berrilla, horn March 14, [829, and a twin, who died in infancy: the 
former married Joseph Greek: Adelia, horn Februan 1 (., 1831, became the 
wife of Charles King: Cecelia Ann, horn September 2, 1832. became the wife 
of Henry Bucklin; Zelissa, horn November S. 1833, became the wife of Samuel 
Greek; .Byron, horn January 6. [835, married Mary Jane Curry; Horace 
Ames, born November jo. [838, died at the age of eighteen years; Elvira, 
born August 15, 1840, died unmarried: Ubert ami \lmena, twins, born 
Max 5, 1843; the latter became the wife of Edgar Mills: John and Mary. 
twins, horn November [9, [846; John was married twice, first to a Miss Paul 
and, second, to Fannie King: Mary became the wife of Lewis ( >lds. 1 hose 
living of these children are Albert, the subject of this sketch: John, who is 



522 GIBSON COUNTY, INDIANA. 

living at Huntingburg, Indiana, is employed with the Southern Railroad 
Company, and Alary, who lives with a son in California. 

The subject of this sketch was deprived of main- opportunities for se- 
curing education in his youth, the only school in the neighborhood being one 
of the typical log subscription schools of that period. He lived on the pater- 
nal homestead until 1865, when, after his marriage, he and his wife located 
on a farm in Center township, one and one-half miles northeast of his father's 
old home. There he obtained eighty acres of land known as the Weidenbach 
farm, which he cleared and improved, and which he made his home until 
1870, when he moved to Princeton. He was elected constable of Patoka 
township, in which position he served four years and was then interested in 
the saw-mill business for twenty-five years, also following carpenter work 
about ten years. He has been employed by the Southern Railroad Company 
at their shops for the past ten years, and is numbered among their most 
faithful and efficient employes. 

On September 20, 1865, Mr. Mills married Polly Ann Yeager. who was 
born in Center township, Gibson count)-, Indiana, the daughter of J. V. and 
Polly Duncan Yeager. These parents, who were both born and reared in 
Virginia, came in an early day to Gibson county, Indiana, settling in Center 
township. Mrs. Mills' paternal grandfather. Daniel Yeager. settled near 
Owensville, Indiana, where he successfully conducted a farm. His son, J. V., 
also obtained a tract of wild land in Center township, which he cleared and 
where he established his permanent home. He died on his uncle Nicholas 
Yeager's old homestead near Owensville. He was three times married, his 
second marriage being with Catherine Taylor, and his third wife was Mrs. 
Elizabeth (Johnson) McCleary, the widow of Willis McCleary. To J. V. 
Yeager's first marriage were born the following children.: Nancy, the widow 
of Chesterfield Woolsy, who lives near Owensville; Chatty, who became the 
wife of Samuel Mauck. of near Owensville, and both are now deceased; 
Greenberry was a soldier in the Civil war. serving for two years with Com- 
panv B, Fifty-eighth Regiment Indiana Volunteer Infantry, and later being a 
member of the First Indiana Cavalry. He later became a farmer in Ringold, 
Texas. He married Sallie Creek. To Albert Mills and wife the following 
children have been born: Clarence R.. who was chief clerk for the roadmaster 
of the Southern Railroad Company, married Mantha Redmond, and his death 
occurred on March 27, 1912. His widow now makes her home at Yew 
Albany, Indiana. They had two children, Helen and Mildred; Ida M. is at 
home with her parents: Hortense became the wife of John F. Ligon. of 



GIBSON COUNTY, I MM ANA. 52 2 

Williamson, West Virginia, and they haw two children, Norman P. and fohn 
F., Jr.; Rollin married Willie .Mane Mayfield, of Walnut Springs, Texas, a 
mechanic for the Southern Railroad Company, and they have one child, Rollin 
Vincent; Hazel, the wile of Ronald E. Mangrum, of Pittsburg, Kansas, and 
they have two children, Margaret hi. and Ronald M. 

Reverting to the subject's ancestral history, it is stated that his maternal 
grandmother, Louisa (Stapleton) .Mills, was a daughter of Joshua Stapleton, 
who was born on January 28, 1782, and who married -Elizabeth Elmore, 
whose birth occurred on Jul} roo, [788. They came from Robinson county, 
Tennessee, to Gibson county, Indiana, in 1816, settling five miles easl of 
Princeton in the woods, where they obtained a tract of wild land and here 
they established their permanent home, the father following the pursuil of 
farming here until his death. To them were horn the following children: 
Louisa, the subject's mother; Polly, born May 7. 1810; Thirza, horn .March 
9, [812; Catherine, horn April 5, 1814; Minerva, horn \pril 21, [816; Han- 
nah, born July 13, r8i8; Elizabeth, horn August 28, [820; Alexander 1 »., 
horn January 29, [823; Travis K., horn April jj. 1825; Rachel, horn Novem- 
ber 13, 1827, and Amanda, horn ( Ictober 5, 1830. 

Politically, Albert Mills was a stanch supporter of the Republican party 
up to 1884. wlun he cast his vote for James G. Blaine for President, hut since 
that time he has heen aligned with the Prohibition party, of which he is an 
enthusiastic supporter, believing that tin- temperance question is the greatest 
issue now before the American people. Religiously, he ami his wife are 
members of the United Presbyterian church at Princeton. Mr. Mills is a 
member of Archer Post, Grand \r:ny of the Republic, at Princeton, of which 
he is a charter member, his connection with this organization being particu- 
larly consistent from the fact thai on October 21. [861, he enlisted in de- 
fense of his country as a private in Company l'>. Fifty-eighth Regiment In- 
diana Volunteer Infantry, at Princeton. The command went by boat to 
1 ouisville, Kentucky, and then on 1" the from, taking part in the battles 
la Vergne, Stone's River, and at Chickamauga, Tennessee, on September 
jo, (863, where Mr. Mills was captured and taken to Richmond, being 
confined first in Libby pri 1 I later in the Pemberton building In 

November, [863, he was taken to Danville, Virginia, and kept a prisoi 
there until Maw 1864, and was confined in tin- notorious Vndersonville 
prison until September Toth of that rear, when he was taken to Charles- 
ton, South Carolina, and kept a prisoner at the Race Course near that 
point until November 7. 1804, when he was taken to 1 lorence, South 



5-4 GIBSON COUNTY, INDIANA. 

Carolina, remaining there until February 22, 1865. From that point he was 
taken first to Wilmington, North Carolina, and thence to Goldsboro, that 
state, and on February 27, 1865, was paroled. While at Wilmington, North 
Carolina, Mr. Mills was taken very sick with swamp fever and was in the 
hospital from February until April. He was honorably discharged from the 
service on April 10, 1865, after an experience of more than ordinary priva- 
tions and hardships, having been a prisoner of war and in prison seventeen 
months and six days. Of these experiences he retains a vivid memory and 
recounts in an interesting- manner his experiences in Southern prison pens 
and stockades. Despite the tremendous hardships undergone by him, 
he is remarkably well preserved physically, and is keenly alive to passing 
events, keeping in close touch with the current issues of the day. For some 
time Mr. Mills has been weather observer for Gibson county. He is widely 
known throughout this locality and is held in high esteem by all who know 
him. 



LOUIS WIRTH. 



Dividing his time between the pursuit of agriculture and the management 
of a grain elevator, Louis Wirth naturally leads a very busy life, but as he is 
the possessor of a large amount of energy and perseverance he seems to 
derive pleasure from the fact that he is kept so busy. Mr. Wirth traces his 
lineage on both side- of the family hack to the land of the Kaiser and the 
thrift and frugal habits which characterize all of our German population are 
found in him. He is a man who has known what it is to take disappoint- 
ments and discouragements and yet through it all be has maintained his 
optimistic nature and today stands as one of the prosperous citizens of Gib- 
son county. 

Louis Wirth. the son of Nicholas and Fredericka (Stolpp) Wirth, was 
born November 6, 1866, in Baltimore, Maryland. His father was a native 
of Germany and came to this country when a young- man and settled in Balti- 
more, where he was married. His wife's parents also were natives of Ger- 
many. Nicholas Wirth was a tinner by trade and during a long and busy life 
he was compelled by the force of circumstances to change his place of resi- 
dence several times in order to obtain employment. In i860 he moved from 
Baltimore to Gibson county, and located near Fort Branch on a farm. 
Previous to his coming to Gibson county he worked in an oyster canning fac- 



GIBSON COUNTY, INDIANA. 525 

tory as a tinner at Baltimore, and was also in the employ of the United States 
government as a tinner. After he lost his place in the government service he 
came to Gibson county, Indiana. He was more than an ordinary tinner; in 
fact, he was a positive genius at the work. The government recognized his 
ability in this line and made him a foreman at Galveston, Texas, with a gang 
of men under his employ and paid him a salary id' seven dollars a daw lie 
invented the first ice cream freezer which had a turning paddle in it,, and 
several other minor inventions, none of which, however, netted him the finan- 
cial returns which he deserved. Before coming to Gibson county the first 
time Mr. and Mrs. Nicholas VVirth had one child, l.ula. who was born in 
Baltimore and died at the age of four years. The second child, Mrs. Cather- 
ine Brothers, who lives about four miles east of Fort Branch, was born in 
Gibson county, and after her birth the family moved back to Baltimore, 
where the third child, Mrs. Caroline Woods, of Gibson county, was born. 
The next child was born on the second return to Gibson count}' from .Mary- 
land. This child, Fredericks Cannavan, now lives on a farm in Patoka town- 
ship. His fortunes turned again and for the third time the family returned 
to Baltimore from Gibson county, and there the fifth child. Louis, the im- 
mediate subject of this brief sketch, was born in 1866. Some time later Mr. 
and Mrs. Nicholas Wirth again moved back to Indiana, settling in I 'ike 
county, where the sixth and seventh children, Charles W . and Joseph, were 
born. Charles W. is a farmer living two and one-half miles northwest of 
Buckskin, Indiana; Joseph died in infancy. Some time after the birth of the 
two last named children, the family moved to Gibson county, where the 
eighth child, Nicholas, was born, and he now lives on the old home place near 
Fori Branch, where his father died March 21, [895, his wife surviving him 
until June 7, 1907. Thus ends the career of Mr. and Mr-. Nicholas Wirth, 
who were good, substantial German citizens, rearing a large family and doing 
their full duty toward their home and the nation throughout their whole 
career. The fact that when Mr. Wirth was out of work in one place he had 
that he was a man of more than ordinary ability and certainly more than 
the courage to go to some other place in order to secure employment, shows 
ordinary courage. 

Louis Wirth, as may be seen from the foregoing account, must have 
inherited some of the wonderful stamina and perseverance which character- 
ized his parents and a review of his life show- this to be the fact. He was 
educated in common schools and completed the course in the Fori Branch 



526 GIBSON COUNTY, INDIANA. 

high school in Gibson county. His boyhood days were spent on the farm 
where he learned the science of farming in a very practical manner. When 
be became twenty-live years of age he married and immediately moved onto a 
farm ami started to make his fortune. After working on the farm for three 
\ ears, he moved to Haubstadt and clerked in a store there for three or four 
months, but seeing a better chance of success on the farm, he returned to his 
agricultural pursuits, in August, 1899, he went to work for the Cumberland 
Telephone Company at Nashville, Tennessee, and learned all of the intricacies 
of this business. Within a short time he came back to Indiana and took 
charge of the telephone exchange at Boonville, where he remained for one 
year. He then returned to his farm, where he worked with a will for the 
next five years, getting his farm into a high state of cultivation and adding to 
it. He inherited forty acres of land from his father, and by his thrift and 
economical way of living he added another forty acres to this. After a pros- 
perous live years on the farm he received an opportunity of taking control 
of the Evansville Melrose Milling Company, having worked prior for the 
Princeton Elevator Company, and shortly afterward was transferred to the 
grain elevator at King's Station in his home county. The company sold this 
elevator and he then went to the Weese Welborn Company, of Princeton, 
where he has continued in charge for the past nine years. During all of this 
time he has lived on his own farm and has had general management of it. 
He rents out his fields and in this way keeps a close supervision upon every- 
thing that is done on his farm. He now has a hue home, good barns and out- 
buildings and his farm is in first class condition in every particular. 

Louis Wirth was married June 2, 1891, to Lillie Olmstadt. the daughter 
of S. L. and. Martha (Montgomery) Olmstadt. both of her parents being 
natives of Indiana. Mr. and Mrs. Wirth are the parents of two children, 
one who died in infancy, and Gladys, born June 24, 1904. Mr. Wirth, in 
bis political affiliations, has always identified himself with the Democratic 
party, but lias always confined his political activities to the casting of his vote 
at all elections. Fraternally, he is a member of the Modern Woodmen of 
America at Princeton. Tie is a member of the Christian church at Princeton 
and his wife of the General Baptist church at White church, near Princeton. 
Mr. Wirth is <>ne of the best known of the German citizens of Gibson county, 
and his career has been without a blemish in every respect. He is a pleasant 
man to meet, possessing sociable qualities and bears a reputation for honesty 
throughout the county. 



GIBSON COUNTY, INDIANA. ^JJ 

JOHN K. KING. 

A review of the life of the honored and lamented subject of this -ketch 
must of necessity be brief and general in its character. To enter fully into 
the interesting detail- of his career, touching the struggles of his early man- 
hood and successes of later days, would far transcend the limits of this article. 
He rilled a large place in the ranks of the enterprising and public-spirited 
men of his (lay and generation and the luster of hi- deeds and the memories 
which attach to his name and character form no inconsiderable chapter in the 
history of the community where he did his work and achieved his success. 
Sufficient is submitted, we believe, to prove him entitled to the honorable 
position he long occupied among the brave and energetii elf-made men of 
Indiana, who by enterprise and unswerving integrit) forged to the front 
despite all opposition and won for the grand old Hoosier state a place second 
to none in the bright constellation comprising the Union <>i American state-. 
That he did his pan nobly and well cannot be gain-aid. and. though dead, he 
yet speaketh in the work which he accomplished and in the many kindly deeds 
and wholesome influence which not only his friends, but the community as 
well, prize as a grateful heritage. 

John K. King was born in Gibson county, Indiana, October 30, 1 8^3. 
and died at his home in Princeton on September 2, [911. He was a son of 
John and Sarah i Kirkman) King, his father a native of North Carolina, his 
mother an orphan who was reared by Judge Henry Hopkins, the man who 
gave the land for the site of the present city of Princeton. The original King 
family came from Virginia. Samuel King, the father of John King, came 
from North Carolina to Indiana and settled in Gibson county near Fort 
Branch when that place was onh an Indian post. Vt that time the father of 
the subjed of this -ketch wa- a babe in arm-. I [ere he was reared to manhood 
and here married Sarah Kirkman in r8l8 and immediately after their mar- 
riage they entered governmenl land near King's Station. To Mr. and Mrs. 
John King were born ten children, only two of whom are living. Henry, who 
lives at Mitchell. South Dakota, and Jane who lives with Joint K. King's 
widow. The other eight children are a- follows: George W., horn in 1820; 
Nancy \nn. [821; Samuel. [823; Robert. [825; William, [827; Caroline, 
[831; John K.. [833; Henry, 1835; Louisa, [839; lame-. [840. 

John K. King received a very limited education, hi- schooling being con- 
fined to the district schools. He was reared to the life of a farmer and fol- 
lowed that occupation throughout his life. \t the outbreak of the Civil war 



528 GIBSON COUNTY, INDIANA. 

he enlisted in Company A, Eightieth Regiment Indiana Volunteer Infantry, 
and served throughout the entire war as a private. He saw service in some 
of the hardest fought battles of that memorable struggle, and was wounded 
at the battle, of Resaca, Georgia. Immediately after the close of the war he 
returned to Gibson county, where he was married in 1866 to Helen Hopkins, 
and bought his father's farm from the rest of the heirs and continued to 
operate this farm until he retired from active life in 1897 and moved to 
Princeton. To Mr. and Mrs. John K. King were born four children, all of 
whom are living in the city of Princeton at the present time, Charles K.. J. 
Herbert, Roy P. and Mrs. Ruth Mulhall. 

Throughout his long life Mr. King was a stanch supporter of the Re- 
publican party and was a prominent figure in the local campaigns of his 
party. He was never an applicant for public office, but upon one occasion he 
was induced to accept the office of township assessor and discharged the du- 
ties of that office in Patoka township to the entire satisfaction of his fellow 
citizens. The only organization with which he was connected in a fraternal 
way was the Grand Army of the Republic, and in this he took a great deal of 
interest. His religious affiliations were with the Methodist Episcopal 
church. It is needless to say that Mr. King worked hard and honorably 
and the reputation which he enjoyed as one of the public-spirited citizens of 
his locality was honestly earned, and his name will ever be linked with that 
of the community so long honored by his citizenship and whose interests 
had no more zealous and sympathetic supporter. He lived a life of which 
his children may well be proud and it is to their credit that they are carrying 
forward nobly the work which characterized the whole life of their father 
and are doing their full share towards elevating the moral and civic life of 
their community. 



MRS. SARAH A. YOUNGMAN. 

Wholly devoted to home and domestic duties, doing through all the best 
years of her life the lowly but sacred work that comes within her sphere, 
there is not much to record concerning the average woman. And yet, what 
station so dignified, what relation so loving and endearing, what offices so 
holy, tender and ennobling as those of home-making wifehood and mother- 
hood. A man's equal in every qualification except the physical, and his 
superior in the gentle, tender and loving amenities of life, she fully merits 




MRS. SARAH A. YOUNGMAN. 



GIBSON fin N l v. [NDIANA. 529 

a much larger notice than she ordinarily receives, and the writer of these 
lines is optimistic enough to indulge in the prediction that in no distant future 
she will receive due credit for the important part she acts in life's great 
drama and be accorded her proper place in history and biography. The 
foregoing lines are prompted by a review of the life of one of Princeton's 
grand old ladies, Mrs. Sarah A. Youngman, who is numbered among the most 
respected and esteemed residents of this favored community. 

George Forbes, father of Mrs. Youngman, was born in Ireland. When 
a young man he came to America, and finally took up his abode in Prince- 
ton, being one of the pioneers of the community. 1 le was engaged in farming 
all of his life. His wife was Ann Kirkman, and to them were born 
six children: Jane, who married Logan Gathway, both deceased; Elizabeth, 
who became the wife of .Alexander Span, and both are now dead; Mary, 
who married David Snyder, both deceased; Aimer, the sole son of the 
family, who never married. Pie was a farmer: Emily, who became the wife 
of Warren Hudspeth, and both have died; Sarah Ann (Mrs. Youngman) 
was the third child, and was born in Princeton on < )ctober 22. 1827. Mrs. 
George Forbes was a great worker in the Methodist Episcopal church and 
reared her family in strict accordance with its tenets. Her death oc- 
curred in 1842. the same year as that of her husband. 

Mrs. Youngman's first husband was Leww Carpenter. Their marriage 
was solemnized December 27, 1840. and he died in iS*,2. By trade he was 
a plasterer and bricklayer. One child came to this union, William Louis, 
a blacksmith of Princeton, Indiana, whose first wife was Dora Spain. His 
second wife was Lillie Williams, and to them have been born three children. 
Louis. Nellie and Lucille. 

In 1854 Mrs. Youngman was married to William Thurston, a merchant 
of Pennsylvania. ' >ne child was born to this union. Emma Jane, who is the 
wife of Charles Small, of Evansville, Indiana. In February, [867, she was 
married to Jacob C. Youngman, of Princeton, Gibson county, Indiana. He 
was engaged in the real estat< business. He went to California later, and 
there died One daughter, [Catherine, was born to this union June 3, [868, 
wdio is one of the leading music teachers of Princeton and makes her home 
with her mother. 

Mrs. Youngman has always been an advocate of the highest and best 
in womanhood and. despiu her advanced age. retains her mental and physical 
faculties to a marked degree honored and respected by all who know her. 
(34) 



53Q 



GIBSON COUNTY. INDIANA. 



She was an active business woman for many years, having engaged in the 
millinery business for a period of twenty-five years, also conducting a hotel 
for many years. In the year 1876 she retired from active business life, hav- 
ing made a great success of her undertakings. Mrs. Youngman is now the 
oldest living woman who was born in Gibson county, Indiana. 



FRANKLIN TURPIN. 



The gentleman of whom the biographer now writes is widely known as 
one of the honored pioneers of Gibson county, and for almost three-quarters 
of a century has lived here, since reaching mature years having been a valued 
factor in the development of this community. His well-directed energies in 
the practical affairs of life, his capable management of his own interests and 
his sound judgment have demonstrated what may be accomplished by the 
man of energy and ambition, who, persevering often in the face of seemingly 
insurmountable obstacles, proves that he is possessed of those innate quali- 
ties that never fail to bring success if properly directed, as they have evi- 
dently been in the case of that honored and respected veteran of the Civil 
war and successful agriculturist, whose name heads this biographical review. 

Franklin Turpin was born in Washington township, Gibson county, 
Indiana, April 8, 1840, the son of Alfred and Mahala (Mayhall) Turpin. 
natives of Kentucky, who came with their parents to Gibson county at an 
early date. Alfred was a son of William Turpin, of Ireland, who married a 
Miss Slavin. William came to America as a young man and first resided in 
Henderson county, Kentucky, removing to Gibson county, Indiana, in 1830, 
and locating in the forest in Washington township, where he wrested a home 
from the wilderness and lived the rest of hi^ days. William Turpin and 
wife were the parents of six children, namely: Alfred, the subject's father; 
Isaac, who lived in Washington township, but died in Knox county; Jeffer- 
son and Calvin also lived in Washington township: Betsey and Sarah. 

The subject's maternal grandfather. William Mayhall, was known as 
"Uncle Billy." He was a native of Kentucky and came to Gibson county 
about 1830. first settling in White River township and later in Washington 
township. He died on his place five miles north of Princeton. He was the 
father nf two children by his first marriage: Mahala. the subject's mother, 
and Dudley, who lived in Washington township. William Mayhall was mar- 
ried a second time. 



GIBSON COUNTY, INDIANA. 53I 

Allied Turpin, the subject's lather, grew up on his lather's farm, ac- 
quiring but a hunted education in the subscription schools of his boyhood 
days. On reaching mature years he acquired some wild land on the i'atoka 
river near llazelton, where he made a home and spent his days in farming, 
becoming widely known as a successful agriculturist and a well informed 
man. lie and his wife died in 1840 within twelve hours of each other of 
what was known as 'black tongue, and both were buried in the same grave- 
on the old Joe Milburn place northeast of Princeton. They were the parents 
of live children: .Asa is retired and lives 111 < (akland City, lie was a mem- 
ber of the First Indiana Volunteer Cavalry in the Civil war; Franklin; Isaac, 
Jefferson and Elizabeth are deceased. 

Franklin Turpin received such schooling as was common in those days 
and grew up on the home farm. On August 16, 1861, he enlisted in Com- 
pany F, Thirty-third Regiment Indiana Volunteer Infantry, at Princeton, 
Indiana, and after being outfitted and drilled :it the cam]) at Indianapolis, 
was sent to Camp Dick Robinson, from which place they marched to Wild 
Cat Mountain and were in battle there. From that poinl they wenl to Crab 
( Irchard and from there to Lexington, Kentucky, where they were stationed 
until April, [862, when they marched to the Cumberland mountains, and 
from that locality were dispatched to Greenspoint, Kentucky, on the Ohio 
river. Under the command of Gen. George W. Morgan, of < >hio, they went 
to Cincinnati, crossed the river to Covington and marched to Lexington, 
from there to Danville, then to Nashville and Franklin, Tennessee, and wire 
engaged in the battle at Thompson's Station on March 5, 1863, when Mr. 
Turpin and his comrades were captured by the « 'onfederates and taken to the 
famous Libby prison. Being paroled alter spending -event. in that 

place, the subject returned to Indianapolis on a ten days' furlough, and 
after his exchange went to Franklin, Tennessee, and subsequently was in the" 
lighting at Murfreesboro, Geicr's Cap. Tallahassee and Christiania. His orig- 
inal term of enlistment having expired, Mr. Turpin re-enlisted and, after a 
thirt} days' furlough spent at home, he rejoined his command and was in 
the fighting around Chattanooga, Buzzard and Snake ("reek Gap. 

then being senl to Atlanta and taking part in the \tlanta campaign, dm 
which he was seriously ill for about six days The subjecl was with Sher- 
man on his famous "march t<i the sea," and subsequently leaving Savannah. 
Georgia, his command crossed the river and marched through South Caro- 
lina to P.cntonville. Xnrth Carolina, where Mr. Turpin was again captured 
and taken back to Libby prison. \ ftor enduring many hardships in that 



532 GIBSON COUNTY, INDIANA. 

bastile, he was returned on parole to Indianapolis, and through Governor 
Morton secured a thirty days'' furlough and returned to his home, being hon- 
orably discharged from the service of his country August 6, 1865. 

On September 3, 1868, the subject was married to Jane Aloore, of 
Washington township, Gibson county, the daughter of John C. and Elizabeth 
(Dawson; Aloore, he a native of South Carolina and she of Kentucky. 
John C. Aloore was a son of John C, who married Anna Boyles. John C. 
Aloore, Sr., came from Kentucky at an early date and settled in Washington 
township. Gibson county, where he cleared land and made a home at a point 
where Af core's bridge is located, he and his wife spending the remainder of 
their lives there. To them were born five children: John C, the father of 
Airs. Turpin; Joe, Ed. Rachael and Joann. Elizabeth Dawson was the 
daughter of John and Alary ( Dere) Dawson. John was a soldier in the 
Black Hawk war. under General Scott, of Vincennes. He settled in pioneer 
times in Washington township, Gibson county, where he lived the rest of his 
life. He was the father of six children, Elizabeth, Shelton, Thomas. Logan, 
Smith and Jane. The children of John C. and Elizabeth Aloore were: (1) 
Ann is the widow of David McMillan and lives in southern California. He 
was a member of Company B. First Indiana Volunteer Cavalry. 1 2 1 Eliza- 
beth, deceased, married Michael Turpin and they had one son. Henry. She 
was married a second time, to Benjamin Fields. (3) John C, deceased, mar- 
ried Alary Phillips, who also is deceased. (4) Rebecca married Lewis Van 
Coupen, who served three years and ten months in Company F, Thirty-third 
Indiana Volunteer Infantry, and they had three children. Roth are de- 
ceased. (5 1 The subject's wife. (6) Joe. a retired farmer living at Prince- 
ton, married Harriett Turpin and they have three children living. His sec- 
ond marriage, with Mary Phillips, resulted in the birth of two children, who 
are living. Joe was in the One Hundred and Forty-seventh Regiment In- 
diana Voulnteer Infantry. 1 7 ) Ed is a farmer in Center township. He was 
married three times, first to Xettie Page, second to Jane Icloup, and third to 
Ann Withers. (8) Celia, deceased, was the wife of Thomas Jones and they 
had four children. 1 <A David, deceased, married Mary Key, and they had 
two children. He was a farmer in Washington township. ( io") Sarah 
Ellen is deceased, (u) Emma is deceased. 

To the subject and wife have been born six children, as follows: 
Maude, who died in her thirty-fourth year, was the wife of Green Patrick, 
who also is deceased: Lon. a farmer in Patoka township, married Rose 



mix COUNTY, INDIANA. 533 

Llair and they have four children; Ruth married Oak Blackest, of Patoka 
township, and they have six children; Celia married James Mclntire, a Pa- 
toka township farmer, and they have two children; John, a conductor on the 
Vandalia railroad, and formerly with the Southern railroad fur ten years, 
lives m St. Louis. He married Lillian Parks and they have one daughter; 
Eliza married Henry E. ( ranc and they have three children. 

After his marriage, Air. Turpin and wife located in Knox county, In- 
diana, where he had a saw-mill fur two or three years, and then returned to 
Washington township, tin- county, and took- up farming, continuing at this 
until 1807, when the}' moved to Princeton, where he has since been engaged 
at carpenter work. In political matters, Mr. Turpin has ever given hi- sup- 
port to the Republican party, while in his religious affiliations he is a con- 
sistent member of the Cumberland Presbvterian church. 



DANIEL N. TICHENOR. 

The biographies of successful men are instructive as guides and exam- 
ples, as well as incentives to those whose careers are yet to be achieved. The 
examples they furnish of patient purpose and consecutive endeavor strongly 
illustrate what is in the power of each to accomplish. The gentleman \vh 
life story herewith is briefly set forth is a conspicuous example of one who 
has lived to good purpose and achieved a definite degree of success in the 
special sphere to which his talents and energies have been devoted. 

Daniel N. Tichenor was born in Nelson county, Kentucky, on March 24, 
[829, the son of Ebenezer ami Susan 1 Bull) Tichenor. botb also natives of 
Nelson county. His mother died 111 1840, but the father had conn • bson 
county. Indiana, by wagon, about 1833. settling in Montgomery town-hip. 
where he acquired a rough piece of unimproved land, the -oil being wet and 
almost uncultivable. Here Mr. Tichenor stayed for a while, finally securing 
land near White church, in Patoka township, southwesl of Princeton, where 
he built himself a log cabin and started to clear a permanent home. Some 
time after the death of his first wife, lie married Pegg) Barker, a native oi 
Indiana. He was a hard-working man and succeeded in improving hi- farm 
into one of the best in his locality. He and hi- wife both died on thai farm. 
Politically, he was a Democrat, while hi- religious membership was with the 
General Baptist church, holding membership in this church in Patoka town- 



534 GIBSON COUNTY, INDIANA. 

ship. By his first union were born the following children: Elizabeth, who 
was twice married, first to John Burton, and second, to William Simmons, 
and she now lives near Fort Branch, Indiana; Daniel M., the subject of this 
sketch; Hannah, deceased: Jacob, deceased. To the second union were born 
the following children: Charity, deceased, who was the wife of Wesley 
Johnson; William, deceased, formerly of Patoka township. 

After the death of the subject's mother, he took the other children back 
to Kentucky and lived for a while with a family by the name of Brewer on 
Green river, and later with an uncle. Collier Tichenor, for a while. He had 
no opportunity to secure a school education and learned mainly by habits of 
observation of men and events. Subsequently he came back to Gibson county 
and worked out at farming labor until after his first marriage, when he 
bought his father's old homestead farm, on which he has since lived and to 
which he has added until he is now the owner of three hundred and fifty-one 
acres in Patoka township, located near the White church, and which is one of 
the best agricultural tracts in the township. He has always followed farm- 
ing and has been a hard-working man, his industry and perseverance being 
rewarded by the splendid success which has attended his efforts. He ami his 
wife started in life in a small way, but have achieved a most pronounced suc- 
cess and enjoy the esteem of all who knew them, because of their honest and 
successful efforts. In the fall of 1901 Mr. Tichenor retired and moved to 
Princeton. Inlying an attractive residence at No. 404 North Spring street, 
where he now lives, enjoying the fruits of his former labor. He was a prac- 
tical agriculturist during his active years and in addition to raising diversi- 
fied crop-,, gave a good deal of his attention to the raising of tine horses, 
among which was the noted stallion, "Lexington," also raising with equal 
success many fine cattle. 

Daniel Tichenor first married Eliza Jane Brown, of Gibson county, In- 
diana, to which union was born a son, Albert, who died in youth. On Janu- 
ary 27. 1S55, Mr. Tichenor married Eliza Jane Mounts, who was born on 
August 4. 1835,- in Edwards county, Illinois, and to them were bom the fol- 
lowing children: Lewi--, who died in infancy; George, born September 19, 
1867, is a farmer in Patoka township, and married Melvina Sweppy; Julia, 
born September 3, i860, died on May 25, 1864; Louisa, born October 4, 
1863, became the wife of Thomas Richards, but is now deceased, leaving 
three children, Lora. Harvey and Essie; James, born November 13, 1866, 
and who is a farmer in Patoka township, married Cora West; Olive O., born 
in June. 1872. became the wife of George Benton, an interurban motorman ; 
Elmer, born October 1, 1876, followed farming for a while, but is now em- 



(IIBSON COUNTY, INDIANA. 535 

ployed in the Southern railroad shops at Princeton, lie married I 'earl 
Smith. Mrs. Tichenor is the daughter of Thomas and \nn (Lagrange) 
Mounts, both of whom were born and reared in Kentucky, in Nelson county, 
her father being a pioneer settler of Edwards county, Illinois, where he suc- 
cessfully followed farming. To himself and wife were horn seven children, 
namely: Mary, Henry, William, Nancy, Betty, Eliza jane and Isaac, all of 
whom are deceased, excepting Mrs. Tichenor. 

Politically, Mr. Tichenor has always given his earnesl support to the 
Democratic party, ami, though taking an active and intelligent interest in 
local public affairs, he has been content with the casting of an honest hallot, 
hut never aspiring to public office on his own account. Religiously, he and 
his wife are earnest and faithful members of the General Baptist church, to 
which they contribute of their time and substance. Dependent very largely 
upon his own resources from his early youth, Mr. Tichenor has attained no 
insignificant success, and though he may have, like most men of affairs, 
encountered obstacles and met with reverses, he has pressed steadily forward. 
ever willing to work for the end he has in view, lie is a man of splendid 
personality, and because of his industrious hbaits and the success he has at- 
tained, he eniovs the esteem oi the community in which he resi ' 



HENRY TICHENOR. 



Among the prominent men of Gibson count} who have made their im- 
press on the community in which they have lived is Henry Tichenor, the 
present postmaster of Princeton, Indiana, lie was horn March 10, 1858, 
about one-half mile west of Princeton, and has spent his whole life in the 
count}' of his nativity. I lis parents were William N. and Elizabeth (John- 
son 1 Tichenor, his father being born in Kentucky, December 25, 1826. Will- 
iam Tichenor came to Gibson count} with his parents. Daniel and Jane 
(Glover) Tichenor, when he was a small boy and at the time of Ins death 
was one of the most substantial citizens in the count}-. Mr. and Airs. William 
N. Tichenor were the parents of a family of four children: James Albert, 
deceased; Daniel, deceased; Henry, the subject of the immediate sketch; 
Oliver Morton, deceased, who was postmaster of Princeton at one time. Mrs. 
William N. Tichenor is still living at the old family homestead on Emer 

street. 

Henry Tichenor attended the common schools of Princeton and after 



536 GIBSON COUNTY, INDIANA. 

his marriage began to farm in his home township. After tanning for some 
years he moved to Princeton and engaged in the transfer business. He has 
always taken a prominent part in Republican politics and his party has sig- 
nally recognized his ability by electing him as county chairman on two differ- 
ent occasions. In recognition of his efficient service to the party, President 
William Howard Taft appointed him on April 13, 1910, to the postmaster- 
ship at Princeton, a position which he is still holding. 

Air. Tichenor was married on August 12. [883, to Ida Teague, of In- 
dianapolis. They have no children. He and his wife are members of the 
Methodist Episcopal church. Mr. Tichenor is a modest, unassuming man 
who takes a keen interest in the affairs of the day and because of the con- 
sistent conduct of his life has a large circle of friends and acquaintances 
throughout the county where he has spent his whole life. 



FRED ROBERT EWING. 

It is a well-known fact that public opinion really rules this country. It 
was the insistent cry of the public which forced through the last two amend- 
ments to the Constitution of the United States, and it was this same influence 
which led President Wilson to insist upon a reduction in the tariff and the 
passage of the new monetary bili through Congress. Public opinion, however, 
would be useless without it had the opportunity to find expression, and there 
is no way by which public opinion can find its full usefulness except through 
newspapers. For this reason it is not too much to say that newspapers of our 
country really are the rulers ; that they have more power in the shaping of 
the destinies of our nation than Congress itself. Congress can do no more 
than voice the will of the people as set forth in the newspapers. There are 
very few towns in Indiana today which do not have a publication of some 
kind, and during the last year the newspaper directory gives nearly eight 
hundred publications of one kind and another in the state of Indiana. Among 
the leading Republican papers of the southern part of the state the Clarion 
News, of Gibson county, stands as one of the best papers in its class. 

Fred Robert Ewing, the son of John William and Ella (Fellows) 
Ewing, was born December 28. 1S70. in the town where he has lived all his 
life. His father was a native of this county, his mother being born in Greene 
county. Fred R. Ewing received his commi m school and high school educa- 
tion in the Princeton city schools, graduating from the Princeton high school 




JOH\ W. EWING. 




FRKD R. EWING. 



GIBSON COTJ NTY, [NDIANA. ^7,J 

in June, 1S95. Immediately after graduation from the high school, he en- 
tered the State University of Indiana at Bloomington, where he took a promi- 
nent part in various college activities. While in attendance at the University 
he was a member of the Sigma Chi Greek-letter fraternity, and still take- an 
active interest in this organization. After leaving the university he began 
newspaper work as a reporter on the Princeton Daily Democrat, and six 
months later he joined the force of the Princeton Evening News. In 1901, in 
association with Samuel R. Adams and James \Y. Westfall. he purchased 
from Gilbert R. Stormont, the Princeton Daily and Weekly Clarion, Ewing 
becoming the editor and general manager of the paper. A year later the 
Clarion was consolidated with the Princeton Evening and Weekly News, Mr. 
Ewing still continuing as editor and manager. Under his management the 
paper increased in circulation and as a result its advertising increased until 
Mr. Ewing fell able to acquire a controlling interest in the Clarion 
Publishing Company, and since that time he has held the majority intei 
and control of the Clarion-News corporation. He owns the newspaper prop- 
erty, which is the official organ of the Republican party in Gibson county ami 
exerts no small influence in local politics. Mr. Ewing has associated with him 
George B. Grigshy a- business manager and Charles E. McCormick as cit\ 
editor. 

Mr. Ewing has been active in Republican polities in Gibson county, and 
in view of the fact that he is the editor of the official Republican paper of the 
county, his influence is second to that of no other man in the county. He has 
served as precinct committeeman, county vice-chairman, and in February 
of 1913, was elected county chairman. 

Mr. Ewing was married June 14, 1900, in Evansville. Indiana, to Louise 
Ilorrall, the daughter of Seth O. and Mary (Herrod) Horrall, and to this 
union has been horn one daughter, Mary Eleanor. 



MICHAEL Me(io\\ AN, 



The Emerald Pie has furnished thousands <>i good, substantial citizen- 
for our great commonwealth, and the community which receives them may 
well count themselves fortunate. Wherever they go they are always found 
anion- the substantial citizens of the community in which they settle and the 
sunshine which radiates from their personality is proverbial throughout the 
u< udd. A true son of Erin is a man who has the spirit of optimism develi >ped 



30 



8 GIBSON COUNTY, INDIANA. 



10 the highest degree and his good nature is welcomed everywhere. It is 
related of a man who was sick that when he was told that there were just two 
men left in the village who were not sick and that they were a physician and 
an Irishman, he at once said, "Bring me the Irishman." He probably felt 
that the Irishman would do him more good than the physician. 

Michael McGowan, one of the sell-made and highly respected men of 
Princeton, was born January 3, 1870, at Walnut Hill, Pennsylvania. His 
parents were Michael and Mary (McNurtney) McGowan. His father was 
burn in Brooklyn, New York, and died in Florida. He was a surface boss in 
coal mines. His wife was a native of Ireland, and her death occurred in 
Kentucky. They were the parents of four children, Kate, John, Michael and 
Charles. 

Michael McGowan, the third child in order of birth, received a very 
limited common school education and early in life was put upon his own re- 
sources. He started to learn the machinist's trade and because he was an 
apt pupil he made rapid progress 111 acquainting himself with the details of 
the work. While still a young man he was a fireman on the Louisville & 
Nashville Railroad for a short time and later was promoted to the responsible 
position of engineer on the same line. The next seventeen years of his life 
were spent in the engineer's cab on the Louisville & Nashville Railroad, and 
during all that time his record was absolutely clear. The responsibilities 
which face the engineer in his cab every day are greater than those in any 
other occupation and only men of the steadiest nerve and clearest mind and 
eye can hold his position as long as Mr. McGowan did. After seventeen years 
of hard service on the railroad Mr. McGowan retired from the engineer's cab 
and took employment with the Southern Railroad Company in their shops at 
Princeton, Indiana, where he could be at home. He is still in the employ 
of this company in their shops, and is accounted one of the most capable 
workers which the company lias in its employ today. 

Michael McGowan was married on April 25, 1805, to Mary E. Christian, 
oi Princeton, the daughter of Charles and Bridget ( AlcDaniel) Christian. 
Mrs. McGowan's father, better known as "Uncle Charlie,'' was born in Kil- 
kenny, Ireland, and settled in Princeton after coming to this countrv, build- 
ing the house which is now occupied by Mr. and Mrs. McGowan and family 
and her mother. Christian street in Princeton was named for Charles 
Christian, and when he died on September 25, 1889. his death was mourned 
by the whole city. He was a man who was well liked by everybodv and was 
especially a great friend of the children. If a man is to be judged by the 



GIBSON COUNTY, INDIANA. 539 

amount of good he does in this world, then "Uncle Charlie" will receive a 
great reward in the next world. His widow is still living with her son-in- 
law, at the age of ninety-three years, and is remarkably active and well pre- 
served for a woman of her age. Mr. and Mrs. Christian were the parents of 
four children: Alary, who died in infancy; Thomas, of Princeton, Indiana, 
who married Lizzie Shank; Mar) E., wife of the subject, and John, who 
lives with Mr. and Airs. McGowan. ["o Mr. and Mrs. McGowan have been 
born six children: Margaret, who died at the age of sixteen months; Irma, 
who died at the age of sixteen years; Charles, Anna Mary, Thomas and Wil- 
mer. The family are devout Catholics and contribute liberally of their 
means to the support of this denomination. Mr van is a genial man. 

unassuming and quiet in his demeanor and easily makes and retains frien 
and because of his high personal qualities he is eminently entitled to repn sen 
tation in a work of the character of the one in hand 



WILLIAM DONALD DOWNEY. 

Prominent in the affairs of Gibson county and distinguished as a citizen 
whose influence is far extended beyond the limit- of the community honored 
by his residence, the name of William Donald Downey -lands out a con- 
spicuous figure among the successful business men of the locality of which 
this volume treats. All of hi- undertakings have been actuated by noble 
motives and high resolves and characterized by breadth of wisdom and strong 
individuality and hi- success and achievements but represent the result of fit 
utilization of innate talent in directing effort along those lines where mature 
judgment and rare discrimination lead the way. 

\\ illiam Donald Downey, who for over a half century has been num- 
bered among the leading business men of Gibson county, and who 1- now 
prominently identified with one of its mosl influential financial institutions, 
was horn on March iN. [834, in Posey county, Indiana, the -on of Rev. Alex 
ander and Nancy Downey. These parent-, who were also natives oi Pose) 
county, were of Scotch-Irish de-cent. They were reared and married in their 
native community, where the father became an .nine and 1 minister 

of the Cumberland Presbyterian church, lie also owned and operated a 
large farm. In [839 he went to Dubois county. Indiana, and settled on a 
two-hundred-acre farm west of Jasper, hut eventually moved to Newburg, 
Indiana, in order to educate his children, and was there living when his 



540 GIBSON COUNTY, INDIANA. 

death occurred, on May 17, 1S4S. His wife died on November 7, 1854. 
They were the parents of live children, James Porter, born February 6, 1830, 
1 a farmer, but is now deceased. Alexander Lowery, born January 19, 
1832, was a merchant, but is now retired and lives in Princeton. William 
Donald, the immediate subject of this sketch. Elizabeth Ann, born August 
-•/, 1837, is the widow of John DeBruler, and is living in DuBois county, 
this state. Francis Marion, born August 30, 1840, was a soldier m the Civil 
war and was a member of the Sixty-first Regiment Indiana Volunteer In- 
fantry, which became a mounted command, and Mr. Downey was wounded 
during active service, from the effects of which he died. 

William Donald Downey, after completing his common school course, 
entered the Newburg Academy, at Newburg, Indiana, where he completed 
the coni>e. His first active effort in life on his own account was as clerk 
in a store in Evansville, Indiana, where he was employed until 185 1 , when 
he came to Princeton and opened a general store on the southeast corner of 
the square. He was successful and later took in a partner, the firm being 
known as Downey & Wilburn for many years. Eventually he bought the 
interest of his partner and conducted the store himself until August, 1912, 
when he disposed of it and retired from active life. Thus for a period of 
over half a century he was closely identified with the business interests of 
Princeton, and because of his eminent success, sterling qualities of character 
and his genial disposition he has enjoyed the respect and esteem of the entire 
community. Air. Downey was one of the organizers of the Farmers Bank 
at Princeton, and was the first president, serving in this capacity for many 
years, but eventually, owing to the demands of his private business, he de- 
clined the chief office in this institution and became vice-president, a position 
which he now holds, and a large share of the success which characterized 
this popular institution being due to the personal efforts and influence of the 
subject of this sketch. 

On October 24, 1868. Mr. Downey was united in marriage to Octavia 
Hall, a daughter of Judge Samuel and Elizabeth Prince Hall, natives of 
Princeton, but of French extraction. Judge Hall was for many vears a lead- 
ing lawyer of Princeton, and was a man of high character and widely rec- 
ognized ability. His wife was the daughter of William Prince, who was 
either the first or the second settler in Princeton, and after whom the town 
was named. He was a prominent man in his daw and served efficientlv as 
an Indian agent for the government, as well as in other important official 
capacities. Mrs. Downey died on January 14. iqit. To Air. and Airs. 
Downey were born three children, Samuel Russell, who is a traveling sales- 



GIBSON COUNTY, INDIANA. 54 1 

man living in New York City, married Alan- Stratton. Winchester Hall, 
who died on July 21, 1911, had been engaged in business with his father. 1 1 <■ 
married Minnie Benham, and to them was born one child. Airs. Downej 
now lives in California. Celeste Prince became the wife of Floyd J. Briggs, 
a druggist at Princeton, and they have one daughter, Nancy Celeste. 

In his political views Mr. Downey has always stood allied with the 
Republican party, and has taken an intelligent interest in all public questions, 
on which he is well informed and regarding which he holds decided opinions. 
Religiously, he has for many years been a member of the Presbyterian church 
of Princeton, and has been an elder fur a long while. Air. Downey lias been 
a valued factor in the development of the community with which he has been 
so long identified, and has given his support unreservedly to the movements 
which have promised to benefit the community, educationally, morally, etc. 
His well-directed energies in the practical affairs of life, his capable manage- 
ment of his own business interests and bis sound judgment have demon- 
strated what may be accomplished by a man of energy and ambition, who, 
persevering in the face of obstacles, proves that he is the possessor of those 
innate qualities that never fail to bring success if properly directed. Pie is a 
man of splendid personality and enjoys to a marked degree the esteem and 
respect of the community in which he resides. 



FRANCIS AI. GRIGSBY. 



This honored veteran of tile (nil war is to he designated one ol the 
progressive and influential citizens of Gibson count)', where for nearly three- 
quarters of a century be has maintained his home, figuring as one of the 
builders of the community and especially worthy of consideration in this 
work. He has. by his industry and sound judgment, nol onlj gained a com- 
petency for his old age. but he has materiall) assisted in the general welfare 
of the community, in many ways lending his time and influence to the pro- 
mulgation of various uplifting movements 

Francis VI. Grigsby was born in Gibson county, Indiana. August [8, 
[842, the ~-u .if George and Eliza Lamasters. The father was a plasterer 
by trade and spent bis entire life in Posey county, Indiana, as did his wife. 
He died in 1*40, and his wife, who was horn in Xewburg, Indiana, passed 
away in 1814. To the subject's parents were born three children, namel) : 
Robert, who was a farmer in White county. Illinois, is deceased; Elizabeth, 



542 GIBSON COUNTY, INDIANA. 

deceased, was the wife of Joseph Reed; Francis M. The paternal grand- 
father of the subject. Simeon Lamasters, was a soldier in the Mexican war. 

Until he reached the age of nineteen, Mr. Grigsby lived with an uncle 
and aunt, Joseph and Mary Makemson, who resided in Patoka township, six 
miles northeast of Princeton. The education of the subject was very 
meager and acquired in a short term in the old subscription school, which is 
still standing and is now part of a barn on the Adamon Makemson place. 
At" the outbreak of the Civil war Mr. Grigsby was among those valiant sons 
of the North who went forth to preserve the Union. He enlisted at Prince- 
ton, Gibson county, September 16, 1861, in Company F, Thirty-third Regi- 
ment Indiana Volunteer Infantry, and after being mustered in and equipped 
at Indianapolis, the company was dispatched to Louisville, Kentucky, where 
they were for a brief period at Camp Dick Robinson, and were then sent on 
toward the front, taking part in battles and skirmishes at Wild Cat. London 
and Crab Orchard, Kentucky, and at Cumberland Gap. They were engaged 
in the fighting at Nashville and Franklin, Tennessee, at Thompson's Station 
(or Spring Hill) and many minor engagements. In the battle at Thomp- 
son'-, Station Mr. Grigsby, along with eleven hundred and fifty others, was 
captured and sent to Libby prison, where he was confined for thirty days, 
subsequently being paroled and returned to Indianapolis. After ten day-,' 
furlough, the subject rejoined the same company and regiment, and. after 
another leave of thirty days, was with his command in the Atlanta campaign 
and "marched to the sea" with Sherman. After taking part in the Grand 
Review at the capital. Air. Grigsby and his comrades were honorablv dis- 
charged in Louisville. Kentucky. July 21, 1805. 

In the fall of 1867 the subject was married to Lucy Finney, daughter 
of James and Sarah Finney, who were pioneer settlers in Gibson county. 

After their marriage the subject and bis wife took up their residence on 
the McCullough farm, two miles west of Oakland City, Indiana, where they 
remained for one year and then removed to Patoka township, Gibson county, 
and there for eighteen years carried on agriculture. In 1887 they moved 
to Princeton, and Mr. Grigsby followed the trade of a carpenter for six 
years. At the present time the subject is holding the position of custodian 
of the public library and of the Methodist Episcopal church, which he has 
efficiently filled for the last eight years. To him and his wife have been born 
eight children, as follows: Sadie is the wife of W. P. Hill, of Los Angeles, 
California, and she is a trained nurse: John lives in Princeton and is a 
carpenter; Ed is deceased; Lena is the wife of John Finney, of Princeton; 
Ben is deceased ; Fern and Elizabeth are at home. 



GIBSON COUNTY, INDIANA. 543 

Mr. Grigsby is a member of the Archer Post, Grand Army of the 
Republic, at Princeton, and belongs to the Methodist Episcopal church. He 
is a well known man in his community, is well preserved and keeps thoroughly 
posted on current topics of the day. 



GEORGE BINHACK. 



Specific mention is made of many of the worthy citizens of Gibson 
county within the pages of this book, citizens who have figured in the growth 
ami development of this favored locality and whose interests are identified 
with its every phase of progress, each contributing in his sphere of action 
to the well-being of the community in which he resides and to the advance- 
ment of its normal and legitimate growth. Among this number was George 
Binhack, one of the leading farmers and stock raisers of Princeton, Gibson 
county, Indiana. 

George Binhack, though not a native of the country in which he now 
lives and in which he has had a very prosperous and successful career, is 
nevertheless one of the most loyal citizens of his adopted country, and has 
for many years been numbered among the respected and influential citizens 
of his locality. He was born in Muddersdorf, Bohemia. Austria, on August 
I, 1855, tne son or Martin and Anna (Moller) Binhack, both of whom were 
also natives of the same place. The father was a tanner by trade, having a 
tan-yard in his home town, and he and his wife spent their entire lives there. 
They were the parents of eight children: Julia, the wife of \ndrew Link, 
of Milwaukee. Wisconsin; Annie, deceased, who was the wife of John 
Huntzwurtz, of Ludington, Michigan; Frank, a fanner at home: Joseph, 
who died in his native land; George, the immediate subject of this sketch; 
Austin, a clothing salesman in Chicago, Illinois: Martin, a carpenter living 
in Washington, and John, who is a tailor in Milwaukee, Wisconsin. 

George Binhack attended the schools of his native country and received 
a good practical education. During his young manhood he learned the har- 
ness-making trade, at which he was employed until 1875, when he came to 
America. He located first at Fort Branch, Indiana, where he was employed 
in D. T. Wallace's flour mill. He remained in Fort Branch until aboul 1887, 
when he went to Barton township, where for two and one-half years he en- 
gaged in farming. In 1890 he came to King's Station. Patoka township, 
where for seventeen years he worked for the R. P. Moore Companv as 



544 GIBSON COUNTY, INDIANA. 

engineer. He bought ten acres of land, to the cultivation of which he de- 
voted himself so earnestly and with such good judgment that he was later 
enabled to buy forty-seven acres of the Griffith place in Patoka township after 
his retirement from the mill in 1907. During the past four years he has 
also farmed the Witherspoon place at King's Station. He has demonstrated 
agricultural ability of a high order and is achieving a splendid success at 
this calling. In addition to the raising of all crops common to this section 
of the state, he also gives some attention to live stock, raising cattle, horses, 
mules and hogs, and is likewise successful in this line of work. Coming to 
America a mere boy, he had practically nothing except a large stock of ambi- 
tion and industry and, with no influential friends to assist him, he has per- 
sisted in his earnest endeavors and has demonstrated what a young man of 
right principles can accomplish through hard work and good management. 

In August, 1SS5. Mr. Binhack was married to Hester Frendenburg, a 
daughter of Joseph and Elizabeth (Fulling) Fredenburg, both natives of 
Germany, who, on coming to America, located at Fort Branch, following 
farming until the end of his life. He and his wife are both now deceased. 
To Mr. and Mrs. Binhack have been born eleven children, namely: Albert 
and Oscar (deceased), Gertrude, George Leslie, Russell, Orville, Annie, Ray- 
mond. Grace. Elizabeth and Pauline. 

Politically, Mr. Binhack has given his support to the Democratic party, 
and religiously his wife is a member of the Methodist Fpiscopal church which 
he also attends, being connected with Cunningham chapel at King's Station. 
Mr. Binhack is a man of splendid personal character and because of his 
straight life and genuine worth he has long enjoyed the good will and the 
confidence of his neighbors. 



SAMUEL A. STL WART. 

The gentleman to a brief review of whose life the reader's attention is 
herewith, directed is among the foremost business men of Gibson and it has 
been his enterprise and progressive methods that contributed in a material 
way to the industrial and commercial advancement of the community. 
Possessing splendid executive and business ability, he has been successful in 
a material way, and because of his sterling qualities he is numbered among 
the representative men of the city in which he lives. 

Samuel A. Stewart is the scion of one of the pioneer families of Gibson 



> 
a 



73 
w 

w 

> 
2 

Cj 
M 
r 

> 

w 

H 

H 

> 
S3 
i-3 




CIRSON COUNTY, INDIANA. 545 

county whose ancestors trace their descent in direct line to sterling Scotland 
ancestors. These progenitors, upon emigrating from the land of hill- and 
heather to America, first settled in Virginia sometime prior to the Revolution- 
ary war, in which some of them took an active part. Thomas Stewart was 
born near Lynchburg, \ irginia, on \pril 9, 1768, and married I ii cah Mor- 
rison on January 30, 1794. who was born in that same locality. To that 
union were born three children, William. Nancy and Samuel A. William and 
his brother came to Gibson count}', Indiana, in 1N1N ;ettling first in Patoka 
and from there moved north to the lead mine- at Galena, Illinois, where the 
former died. Nancy became the wife of a Mr. Lacky, with whom she moved 
to Kentucky. 

Samuel Avers Stewart, who was horn in Virginia on December to, 1707. 
came to Indiana in 1S18 and settled in Gibson county because of his acquaint- 
ance with former neighbors who had come here from Virginia. He 
engaged in the milling business and in the winter months he taughl sch 
being one of the first teacher- in this section of the state, Soon after coming 
here he entered a tract of government land and from then on engaged in 
farming, which remained his principle occupation until his death, which 01 
curred on May 24, 1849, at the age of fifty-two years. During his residence 
in this county he was active in all matters pertaining to the locality and be- 
cause of bis activity, industry and good business management he succeeded 
in accumulating a competency and thereby bringing comfort and happiness 
for his family. He was of a religious temperament and early in life become 
affiliated with the Methodist Episcopal church, lie soon fell calli d to preach 
the gospel and in 1830 he was licensed to preach and was so successful in his 
efforts that on < >ctober 5, [834, he was ordained by Deacon Roberts at Mt. 
Carmel, and on October io, [847, he was regularly ordained 1 Bishop 

Waugh, at the conference which met in Evansville. Politically, Mr. Stewart 
was quiet and unostentatious, while holding firmly to his convictions on tin- 
great questions of the day. Strongl) opposed to slavery, he left his native 
stale in order to escape its baneful influences. During his active life he held 
a number of offices of honor and trust, among which was that oi associate 
judge, to which office he was elected in [837. In [845 he was appointed by 
Governor Whitcomb probate judge to till out the unexpired term of Judge 
French, and in August of that year he was elected to thai position for the full 
term. In 1839 he was collector of county taxes, all of which positions he 
filled with credit to himself and to the entire satisfaction of his fellow citizens. 

(35) 



54^ GIBSON COUNTY, INDIANA, 

On January 29, 1824, Samuel Avers Stewart was married to Lucinda 
Howe, who was the daughter of Robert Howe, and who was born in Ken- 
tucky in March, 1806, her death occurring on April 5, 1874. To this union 
were born eleven children: Thomas, the eldest' and father of the subject of 
this sketch, born in Gibson county, Indiana, July 29, 1828, and died April 15, 
1902. Here he was reared and received a limited education in the subscrip- 
tion schools of the time. On September 29, 1853, he married Susan L., the 
daughter of James and Elizabeth (Payen) Huddleson. She was born in 
Gibson county on November 30, 1830, and she lived her entire life in this 
community, dying on February 13. 1914, aged eighty-three years. Her par- 
ents emigrated from Kentucky to this state while it was yet a territory. Her 
maternal grandfather was a soldier under Gen. William Henry Harrison dur- 
ing the Indian wars. To Thomas and Susan Stewart were born six children, 
who, in order of birth, are named as follows : Samuel A., who is the subject 
of this sketch; Clara E., wife of M. S. Knaub; Florence A., now deceased, 
who was the wife of J. C. Danks; James \Y., Minnie ( deceased) and John H. 

Samuel A. Stewart was born in Patoka, Gibson count}', Indiana, on 
July 17, 1854, and was there reared, receiving a common school education. 
After completing the public school course he entered a commercial college at 
Evansville, Indiana, where he received his diploma August 14, 1874. After 
his graduation he engaged in a business partnership with his father, which 
lasted until 1879, when the firm of Stewart & Danks was formed and which 
became one of the most important and successful enterprises of this locality. 
On the death of J. T. Lamb, in September, 1808, Mr. Stewart was appointed 
postmaster of Patoka, and served seven years to the entire satisfaction of the 
patrons of the office. For a number of years he has been successfullv engaged 
in the real estate, insurance and loan business and because of his enterprising 
business interests, strict integrity and his congenial disposition, he has not 
only won the friendship of all with whom he has come in contact, but his full 
share of local patronage in his line. In 1894 Mr. Stewart was elected county 
clerk after an unusually hard tight made against him, against which he won 
out by a creditable plurality. So satisfactory was his discharge of official 
duties that he was re-nominated by acclamation and was again elected, this 
time leading the county ticket. 

Politically, Mr. Stewart has been a life-long supporter of the Republican 
party, and has been active in its counsels and served as chairman of the Re- 
publican central committee for 1900 and 1902 and successfullv conducted the 
campaign for both years. He was secretary of the county central committee 



GIBSON COUNTY, INDIANA. 547 

fur 1896 and in other ways through the years he has exerted a large influence 
in the organization of this character. Fraternally, he is a member of the 
Free and Accepted Masons and has taken the degrees of the Scottish Rite 
up to and including the thirty-second, holding his membership in the con- 
sistory at Indianapolis. It is worthy of note that his paternal grandfather, 
Samuel A. Stewart, was a member of Liberty Lodge No. 95, Free and Ac- 
cepted Masons, at Liberty, Virginia, and demitted from same in [820 to 
identify himself with the lodge at Princeton. Religiously, Mr. and .Mrs. 
Stewart are members of the Methodist Episcopal church. 

On December 26, 1877, Samuel \. Slew art married Mary E. Danks, 
daughter of rhomas C. and Mary D. Danks. natives of Pittsburgh, Pennsyl- 
vania, and to this union have been born the following children: Edith D., 
wife of ( ). O. Wats. hi. a merchant at Princeton; Charles 11.. who for twelve 
years was deputy postmaster at Princeton, but is now traveling fur Swift & 
Company, with headquarters al Columbus, Indiana; Clara E. is assistant to 
her father; Alary E., who is at home, has just graduated from the public 
schools; Samuel Avers. Jr., is a student at Purdue University. Mr. Stewart 
is a splendid example of the virile, progressive, self-made man. who believes 
in doing well what is worth doing at all. a man of keen discernment, sound 
judgment, strong minded and a follower of the principles embodied in the 
Golden Rule regarding his relations to his fellow -men. Therefore, he enjoys 
to the utmost their confidence and good will. He has been unselfish in his 
attitude toward public affairs, giving his support at all times to any movement 
which has had as its object the advancement of the public welfare, materially, 
morally or educationally, ddierefore he is entitled to the enviable position 
which he holds in general public affairs. 



EZEKIEL T. HOPKINS. 



To write the personal record of men who raised themselves from humble 
circumstances to positions of responsibility and trust in a community is no 
ordinary pleasure. Self-made men. men who have achieved success by rea- 
son of their personal qualities and, left the impress of their individuality upon 
the business growth of their place of residence and affect for g 1 such in- 
stitutions as are embraced in the sphere of their usefulness, unwittingly, per- 
haps, built monuments more enduring than marble obelisk or granite shaft. 



548 GIBSON COUNTY, INDIANA. 

Of such we have the unquestionable right to say belongs the gentleman whose 
name appears above. 

Ezekiel T. Hopkins was born on October 14, 1846, near Fort Branch, 
Gibson county, Indiana, the son of Hiram A. and Martha J. (Ralston) 
Hopkins. The father was born in Bourbon county, Kentucky, in 1815, and 
the mother in Princeton, Indiana, in 1820. Hiram A. Hopkins was brought 
by his parents to Indiana in 1818 at the age of three years. These parents, 
Ezekiel and Polly (Benson) Hopkins, were natives of Kentucky, and on com- 
ing to Indiana located between Owensville and Cynthiana, where the father 
located a tract of land and also operated a mill and a distillery. He located 
about five miles south of Princeton, Indiana, on the state road, where he 
spent the remainder of his years, his death occurring in 1853. He was widely 
known and a man of considerable prominence in this community. His wife 
died in Illinois. To them were born the following children: Willis, Hiram, 
James, Newton and Minerva. Hiram A. Hopkins lived on the home place 
until his marriage in 1827, receiving his education in the common schools. 
He engaged in school teaching in young manhood, but eventually located 
about one and one-half miles southeast of Fort Branch, on the state road, 
where he obtained a tract of government land, to the operation of which he 
devoted his attention during the remainder of his active life, his death occur- 
ring in 1874. lie was survived many years by his widi <\\ , who died in Prince- 
ton in 1910, at the age of seventy-eight years. Hiram A. Hopkins was an 
old-line Whig in his original political views, but upon the organization of the 
Republican party he allied himself with that party. He was constable at one 
time and took an active interest in political affairs. Religiously, he was a 
member of the General Baptist church and his wile of the Cumberland Pres- 
byterian church. They were the parents of twelve children, of whom eleven 
grew to maturity. They are, Andrew R.. now deceased, was a resident of 
Vincennes, Indiana; Mary A., of Fort Branch, is the widow of Silas M. Hol- 
o>ml>; Helen M. is the widow of John King and resides in Princeton, In- 
diana; Cornelia is the wife of John F. Kenneth, of Fort Branch; Ezekiel T.. 
the immediate subject of this sketch; .Mice was the wife of Thomas D. 
Crumbaugh and both are now deceased; Isabella, who is now deceased, was 
the wife of William L. West, who is now living in Kansas; Elizabeth is the 
wife of Dr. A. C. Smith, of Indianapolis ; Joseph N., deceased, was a prac- 
ticing physician in Liberty. White county, Illinois. He was educated in the 
public schools of Keokuk. Iowa, where he graduated. The eleventh child 
was a daughter, who died in infancy, and Ethel, wife of John W. Douglas, of 
Chicago. 



GIBSON COUNTY, INDIANA. 549 

Ezekiel T. Hopkins attended the local schools of his neighborhood and 
later went to the high school at Owensville. lie lived with his parents at 
home until twenty-five years old, when, after his marriage, he located at 
Cynthiana, Indiana, where he conducted farming operations and also prac- 
ticed veterinary surgery, in which he became an expert. Later, he located at 
Fort Branch for five years and then, in 1880, took up active farming at King's 
Station, where he has since lived. He is the owner of sixty-one acres of 
well-cultivated land, and during his active operation of this place, its. well- 
kept appearance testified to the owner's good judgment and excellent taste, 
the attractive residence, the well-arranged barns and the highly-cultivated 
fields giving evidence of his progressive ideas and industrious habits. During 
the past seven years Air. Hopkins has been retired from active labor, though 
he still maintains supervision over his farm. For several years .Mr. Hopkins 
was also engaged in the grain business at King's Station, but his elevator 
burned in 1900, since which time he has not been engaged in that business. 

On May 12, 1872, Mr. Hopkins married Sarah E. Cunningham, of 
King's Station, Gibson county, Indiana, the daughter of Joseph and Mary 
(Arbuthnot) Cunningham, the father a native of Hazelton. Indiana, and the 
mother of Princeton. They are both now deceased. Mrs. Hopkins died on 
January 26, 1905. She was one of six children, the others being John A., 
who was a soldier in the Civil war, in which conflict he gave up his life in 
defense of his country; Nancy J., deceased; George A., a leading lawyer in 
Evansville, Indiana; Alice I'".., the wife of Samuel Slater, of King's Station, 
Indiana, and Laura, the wife of John Gambrel. of Princeton. To Mr. and 
Mrs. Hopkins were born five children, namely: George A., who conducts a 
wholesale and retail house furnishing store at Carthage. Illinois, and who 
married Cordelia Kindle; P. C. who has for the past eighteen years been suc- 
cessfully engaged in the practice of law in Evansville; Mary R. is the wife of 
Roger Cleveland, a farmer one and one-half miles east of King's Station; 
Alice I., who is at home, has been a teacher in the Princeton public schools 
for the past six years; Theodore A. is a druggist at Tulsa, Oklahoma. 

Being very deeply interested in educational affairs, Mr. Hopkins has 
seen to it that all of his children haw received good educations and have been 
reared to respectable positions in life. 

Politically, Mr. Hopkins has been a life-long Republican up to the last 
campaign, when he allied himself with the Progressive party, in whose sup- 
port he is enthusiastic. He served as deputy assessor of Patoka township 
for seven years. Religiously, he is a member of the Methodist Episcopal 
church at King's Station, to the support of which he contributes liberally of 



550 GIBSON COUNTY, INDIANA. 

his time and substance. Airs. Hopkins, who also was a member of that 
church for several years, was a school teacher prior to her marriage. Mr. 
Hopkins is the possessor of a large and well-selected library, being a close 
and constant reader and a student of the current questions of the day, and is 
considered a well-informed man, who is able to intelligently discuss all ques- 
tions. In many respects, Mr. Hopkins has labored for the material progress 
of the town and township, advocating laudable measures for the general good 
and sparing no reasonable efforts to advance the welfare of the community. 
His life has been characterized by integrity and usefulness and such has been 
his association with business and civic affairs that it is altogether proper that 
his career be perpetuated in this publication. 



REUBEN PHILLIPS. 



Among the farmers of Gibson county, Indiana, who have to their credit 
man} - long years spent in industriously and intelligently tilling the soil, is 
Reuben Phillips, of Patoka township. He comes of a good family, one that 
has always been strong for right living and industrious habits, for morality 
and for all that contributes t< > the welfare of the commonwealth. Such people 
are welcomed in any community, for they are empire builders and as such 
have pushed the frontier of civilization ever westward and onward, leaving 
the green wide-reaching wilderness and the far-stretching plains populous 
with contented people and beautiful with green fields; they have constituted 
that sterling horde which moved the great Bishop Whipple to write the 
memorable line, "Westward the course of empire takes its way." 

Reuben Phillips was born February 3, 1841, in Perry county, Pennsyl- 
vania, the son of Peter and Alary ( Kessler) Phillips, he of Berks county, 
Pennsylvania, and she of Perry county, that state. The father was a farmer 
and in 1853 came to Gibson county, where he located. Moved with patriot- 
ism, he enlisted in August, 1861, in the First Indiana Cavalry. His command 
led him through Missouri and Arkansas and he died in service in the fall of 
1864, having been injured by the falling of his horse on July 4th of the same 
year. The wife went back to Pennsylvania in 1856 ami died there in 1898. 
They were the parents of a family of seven children, namely: Frank, the 
eldest, was a farmer in Gibson county, Indiana, lint died in 1855. The second 
child was Reuben, subject of this sketch ; Elizabeth, died unmarried, at Pa- 
toka, Indiana, in 1864; Kate, who became the wife of John Thorne and re- 



GIBSON COUNTY, INDIANA. 55 1 

sides in Pennsylvania; James, deceased; Sarah died in Patoka, Indiana, and 
.Mary, living in Pennsylvania. The parents were consistenl members of the 
Lutheran church and reared their family in that faith. 

Reuben Phillips, who was bul a lad when his parents came to Gibson 
county in 1853, had but limited opportunity for schooling in the rural dis- 
trict <>i' that day. On May 29, [861, he enlisted in Company ('. Seventeenth 
Regiment Indiana Volunteer Infantry, at Princeton, and was first ordered to 
Indianapolis. Later he was sent to Parkersburg, West Virginia, on into 
Maryland, hack into West Virginia, to Louisville, Kentucky, and made all the 
long" marches under General Thomas in Tennessee and Georgia, lie was at 
.Macon, Georgia, at the close of the war. 

After receiving Ins discharge in 1865 Mr. Phillips returned to Gibson 
countw where, on March 22, [867, he was united in marriage to Mary Stott, 
who was horn in Ireland, a daughter of William and .Margaret 1 Steele 1 Stott. 
Her parents were married in Ireland and emigrated to Canada in 1847. lo- 
cating near the city of Toronto, when; her father engaged in farming. !n 
1858 the family moved to Gibson county, where Dr. John Stott, a brother, 
was residing in Princeton. Doctor Stott had been residing here since' an early 
day and had often written his brother to come to 1 libson county to: assist him 
in caring for his farm property, which he continued to do until his death. 
His wife also died in Gibson county. They were members of the Reform 
Presbyterian church and were the parents of twelve children, three of whom 
arc now living. The eldest was Mary, wife of the subject of this sketch; 
Thomas John, deceased; William Steele, deceased; Joseph, living in Gibson 
county; Robert, deceased: Frank, a farmer in Gibson count) : James and Ann. 
deceased, and four others who died in infancy. 

After his marriage. Reuben Phillips farmed for nine years for Robert 
Mitchell, and he then farmed at Wheeling for eleven years, since which time 
he has confined his labors to agricultural work in Patoka township, lie is a 
man who has always worked very hard and is wonderfully active and well 
preserved for his years Reuben Phillips and wife are the parents of four 
children: William J., who remains at home unmarried and who deals in 
sand, grain and \rv<\ in Princeton; David, in the shoe business at Houston, 
Texas; Helen ).. wife of ( ). A. Downey, a merchant at Francisco, Indiana, 
and Edith, wife of Joseph II. Laib, a promoter and insurance man of Prince- 
ton. There were also two other children who died in infancy. 

Mr. Phillips is a member of the honored Grand Army of the Republic. 
Post No. 28, at Princeton, and his religious affiliation is with the Reformed 



55 2 GIBSON COUNTY, INDIANA. 

Presbyterian church. Mr. Phillips has long had the best interests of this 
locality at heart and has sought to advance them in whatever way possible. 
His life has been characterized by untiring energy, uncompromising fidelity 
and an earnest desire to advance himself in his chosen line of work. He is 
held in high esteem by all who know him as a citizen of the best type, an 
honest and upright man. 



SAMUEL F. BRASELTON. 

Holding distinctive prestige among the enterprising citizens of Gibson 
county, Indiana, is Samuel F. Braselton, whose record, here briefly outlined, 
is that of a self-made man who, by the exercise of the talents with which 
nature endowed him, rose to the position he npw occupies as one of the in- 
fluential and well-to-do men of the city honored by his residence. He is a 
creditable representative of one of the old and highly esteemed pioneer fam- 
ilies of this locality and possesses many of the admirable qualities and char- 
acteristics of his sturdy Kentucky ancestors, who migrated to Indiana in a 
very early day and figured in the history of this section of the state. 

Samuel F. Braselton, enterprising farmer and successful business man, 
efficient public official and upright citizen, was born in Wayne county, Illinois, 
on October 22, 1844, and is the son of John and Nancy (Colvin) Braselton. 
The subject's father was born at Elizabethtown, Kentucky, March 8, 1808, 
and his wife was born on June 17. 1814, at the Robb settlement in New Har- 
mony, Indiana. John Braselton was a wagon-maker during his earlier life, 
but later followed farming. To him and his wife were born nine children, of 
whom all are living but two. Two were members of Company F, Thirty- 
third Regiment Indiana Volunteer Infantry, during the Civil war, one, James, 
dying at Evansville, Indiana, and George H. dying" in Kentucky. The sub- 
ject's father came with his parents in 1808 to Gibson county, settling near 
where the Southern railroad shops are now located, and here the grandfather, 
John Braselton, kept a tavern or half-way house, as they were then known. 
The subject's father spent the remainder of his days in Gibson county, his 
death occurring on September 3, 1887. His wife passed away the same year, 
her death occurring on the 3d day of February. Politically, John Braselton 
was first a Whig and after the formation of the Republican party he allied 
himself with that organization, took a deep interest in public affairs, espe- 




SAMUEL F Hit \SKI.T().\ 



GIBSON COUNTY, [NDIANA. 553 

cially as relating to education, and as a school director he rendered efficient 
service to his community. 

Samuel F. Braselton was reared under the parental roof, securing his 

education in the common schools of the county. As soon as large enough he 
gave his assistance to his father in the operation "l" the home farm and 
followed this vocation until the breaking out of the war of the Rebellion, 
when, on December 16, 1863, he enlisted in Company F, One Hundred and 
Twentieth Regiment Indiana Volunteer Infantry, which command was 
signed to the Army of the Cumberland, and with this command he took part 
in all the battles, inarches and skirmishes incident to the historic Atlanta 
campaign. Mr. Braselton was slightly wounded at Kingston, North Carolina. 
From there he was sent to Goldsboro, North Carolina, and three days later 
met Sherman's army, with which, after a thirty-day rest, he moved to Ral- 
eigh, North Carolina. At the time of the surrender Air. Braselton was de- 
tailed with about thirty others, and sent to Durham station at the time of the 
surrender of Johnson to Sherman, and he remained in the active service until 
1866, his regiment being assigned to the gathering and shipping of arms and 
army supplies for the government. After being mustered out at Raleigh, 
forth Carolina, Air. Braselton returned to Indianapolis, Indiana, and soon 
afterwards returned to Gibson county. Here he followed agricultural pur- 
suits until February, 1875, when, moving to Princeton, he engaged in the tin 
and stove business. Two years later he disposed of this business and during 
the following two years was engaged as clerk in a store. Air. Braselton then 
engaged in the monument manufacturing business, to which during the fol- 
lowing twenty-seven years, he gave his undivided attention and in which he 
met with a splendid and well-merited success In November, 1908, Mr. 
Braselton was elected trustee of Patoka township and is the presenl incum- 
bent of this office, his term not expiring until 1015, becaus< of recent legisla- 
tive enactment. Tie has d< monstrated ability of a high order in his own af- 
fairs, and ui the discharge of his official duties he is applying the same sound 
principles as he would to his own affairs. He has been successful in lite and 
he and his wife are the owners of one hundred and fifty acre- 1 farm- 

ing land and nine pieces of property in Princeton. 

Politicallv, Air. Braselton has been a life-long Republican and active in 
the support of this party. He served at one time as councilman from the firsl 
ward and has always been numbered among the foremosl citizens of the com- 
munitv. Religiously, he is a member of the Presbyterian church, while his 



554 GIBSON COUNTY, INDIANA. 

fraternal relations are with the Gram! Army of the Republic, having served 
as quartermaster for the Princeton post for twelve years. 

On October 10, 1878, Samuel F. Braselton was married to Clara Kurtz, 
the daughter of William and Indiana ( Arbuthnot) Kurtz, and to this union 
have been born three children, namely: Edgar K., a graduate of Purdue 
University, is the present representative of the Lilly Drug Company of In- 
dianapolis at Washington. D. C. : Edith, who is a teacher in the city schools 
of Princeton, was a student in Indiana and Chicago Universities ; Daisey 
Dean, who took a kindergarten course in Indianapolis, and is a teacher in the 
city schools. Both daughters are at home. The splendid success which has 
crowned Mr. Braselton's efforts has been directly traceable to the salient 
points in his character, for he started in life at the bottom of the ladder, 
which he mounted unaided. He comes of a splendid American family, one 
that has always been strong for right living and industrious habits, for edu- 
cation and morality, for loyalty to the national government and for all that 
contributes to the welfare of the community, and because of his success in 
life and his high personal character he is clearly entitled to specific mention 
in the annals of his countv. 



J \MES W. CUNNINGHAM. 

The student interested in the history of Gibson county does not have to 
carry his investigations far into its annals before learning that James W. 
Cunningham has long been one of its most active and leading citizens in its 
agricultural stock-raising interests and that his labors have been a potent 
force in making this a rich agricultural region, for through several decades 
he has carried on general farming, gradually improving his valuable place, 
and while he has prospered in this, he has also found time ami ample oppor- 
tunity to assist in the material and civic development of the county. 

fames W. Cunningham, of Wabash township, this county, was born 
October 20, 1841, near Hazelton, and is the son of Stewart and Georgia 
Ann ( Robb) Cunningham. His mother was a sister of David and Moses 
Robb, and was born and reared south of Hazelton, her parents having been 
among the early pioneers of that section. She is now living at the advanced 
age of ninety-six years. Stewart Cunningham was born in 1817, and was 
reared twelve miles north of Mt. Carmel, Illinois, and was a son of Buck 
Cunningham, who was of Scotch-Irish parentage. When Stewart Cunning- 



GIBSON COl \ n . i NTDIANA. 555 

ham was a small child, his mother died and his father remarried \i the age 
of fifteen the boy ran away from home, coatless and barefooted, came acros 
the river to Alt. Carmel and worked a few days with an old settler by the 
name of Howe, helping him break the first ground between Gordon Hill and 
Patoka. Here he remained for the following winter, killing mam a deer on 
the Gordon Hills when that part of the country was all wilderness. The last 
deer he killed was in Knox county, about [873. After leaving Mr. Howe he 
went to the home of Smith Miller, about five miles south of Patoka, at what 
is now known as Miller's Station. Here lie remained until he grew to ma- 
turity and here he married Georgia Attn Robb, who was a sister of Smith 
Miller's wife. He then engaged in farming on the farm where his widow 
now lives, three miles south of Hazleton, northeast of the Miller home. His 
wife had fallen heir to three hundred dollars, and with this money they bought 
the farm where she still resides, a period of over seventy years' residence in 
one place. Here Stewart Cunningham spent his life, his death occurring in 
1900, at the age of eighty-three years. To Stewart Cunningham and his 
wife were horn three children, James \M, the immediate subject of this sketch ; 
B. F. Cunningham, of Patoka, and Lydia, who first married Robert Thomp- 
son, and after his death married Uriah Williams, and they live one and one- 
half miles north of Patoka. 

James W. Cunningham grew up on the paternal homestead and earh 
learned the habits of industry and self-reliance, lb' secured his education 111 
the district schools of his home neighborhood, and upon attaining mature 
year-, he wisely chose agriculture for his vocation and for one year he rented 
his father's farm, and by energy and hard, persistent effort he cleared six 
hundred dollars, after which he went west during th< at I - ' ivil war, 
and accompanied the first white train that ever went across Bridges and 
.■man's route through the Big Morn mountains to Virginia City, Mon- 
tana. From there he went to the gold mines and engaged in mining, in 
which he was very successful, but, like his fellow workers in that line, he 
spent his money almost as fast as he earned it. Me remained in the mining 
regions for about eighteen months, al the expiration of winch time he re- 
turned down the Yellowstone river in a boat, of which he was pilot. The 
trip was a Ion- and perilous one, and mam thin-- oi interest could be nar- 
rated of this journey, as well as of the lawlessness of tin- mining country in 
that earlv day. Mr. Cunningham worked three months in a government saw- 
mill at Omaha. Nebraska, getting out timbers for the Union Pacific railroad, 

then in process of construction, Work was plentiful and g 1 help hard to 

secure in those earlv days of railroad building and Mr. Cunningham being a 



556 GIBSON COUNTY, INDIANA. 

steady, practical, industrious worker, his services were in demand, he being 
very successful at whatever work he undertook, although he had but little 
opportunity for education in his boyhood days. At the expiration of his 
services with the railroad company he returned to the old home in Gibson 
county, Indiana, and again resumed farming, and after the first year here he, 
in partnership with Dan Miller, bought a threshing machine outfit, with 
which he was very successful, paying for the machine the first year, with a 
profit of three hundred dollars. Mr. Cunningham then bought out Mr. Mil- 
ler's interest in the machine and the next year cleared six hundred dollars. 
He continued in this business for two years with gratifying returns for his 
labor and investment, at the same time operating a farm. The first year 
after his return from the West, he and Mr. Miller took a flat boat loaded with 
corn down the river and conducted a coasting trip from Eggs Point, selling 
corn to farmers at one dollar per bushel. This was a very satisfactory and 
successful trip and resulted in much profit to Mr. Cunningham, as he had 
raised about three thousand bushels of corn himself, and he and his partner 
bought more corn at forty cents per bushel, thus realizing a handsome profit 
from the enterprise. A few years later he purchased an interest in a one- 
hundred-and-nineteen-ton steamboat on the river from Petersburg to Hazle- 
ton, and later his partner became financially embarrassed and Mr. Cunning- 
ham became the sole owner of the boat. The next year or two he operated 
this boat on the river and then traded it to Messrs. Blair and Batson for one 
hundred and twenty acres of land in Wabash township below the head of the 
big bayou. The following year he moved there and lived there for the next 
fifteen or twenty years, at the expiration of which period he rented the farm 
and moved to Stewartsville, where he lived for ten years. Here he bought a 
brick building and later sold it for fifteen hundred dollars, and while he 
owned this building, rented it for business purposes and was himself in busi- 
ness for two years. Ten years later he sold out his farm and other interests, 
and purchased a home and three lots at Griffin, for one thousand dollars, 
where he lived for four years, at the end of which time he sold this for fifteen 
hundred dollars, again realizing handsomely on his investment. About six 
vears ago he moved to Crowleyville, where he has since resided. He is the 
owner of about twenty houses in this place, a grain elevator and is also the 
owner of one hundred and one acres of land near Crowleyville and two hun- 
dred and five acres of land in Wabash township, as well as twenty-nine acres 
in Knox county, this state, making a total of three hundred and thirty-five 
acres of land. Since living at Crowleyville he operated a flat boat on the 
river, carrying three thousand bushels of corn down the river from Vicksburg 



GIBSON COUNTY, [NDIANA. ^^J 

to Natchez, selling the corn at various points on the river. In young man- 
hood he went out for a trip down the river for his lather on a flal boal of 
corn in company with David Fisher, Edwin Phillips, James Miller ami David 
Lewis, and in all these operations he met with eminent success, and is 
today one of the solid and substantial citizens of his part of the county. 

In 1870 Mr. Cunningham was united in marriage (<• Nancy Jane Ed- 
mondson, who was the daughter of William Edmondson, her birth occurring 
about fifteen miles west of Mount Carmel, Qlinois. She was married prior 
to her union to Mr. Cunningham, but lost her hsuband by'death soon after 
marriage, and their only child died when six months of age. To Mr. ami 
Mrs. Cunningham have been born two children, Margaret, wife of Richard 
Harrison, of Owensville, and they have one daughter, Delia; Delia, wife of 
Cord McReynolds, lives at Kansas City, Missouri, where Mr. McReynolds is 
yardmaster on a railroad. 

Politically. Mr. Cunningham has been affiliated witli the Democratic 
party all his life, and while taking an active interest in all public questions and 
honestly discharging his duties as a citizen in the civic life of his communi 
yet he has never been a seeker for public office, his business .affairs and home 
life demanding his entire time and attention. 

With few opportunities except what his own efforts were capable of mas- 
tering and with many discouragements to overcome. Mr. Cunningham has 
made an exceptional success in life ami in his mature years has the gratifica- 
tion of knowing that the community in which he resides has been benefited by 
his presence and counsel, lie has become well and must favorably known 
throughout his locality for his loyalty to truth, his uprightness in business, his 
public spirit and friendly disposition, lie and his wife are among the mosl 
influential and popular citizens of their community, being abreasl of the time- 
in every way and always willing to give their time and substance, if need be. 
to further any movement looking toward the betterment of the locality where 
they reside, religiously, socially or educationally. 



RICHEY SUMNERS. 



dibs. .11 county was not lacking in loyalty during the dark days of the 
Rebellion, when the ship of state was almost stranded on the rocks of dis- 
union, but contributed her full quota of brave and valiant men to assist in 
preserving the integrity of the government, prominenl among whom was the 
well known gentleman and enterprising citizen whose name appears at the 



55& GIESON COUNTY, INDIANA. 

head of this review. Loyal to his country in its hour of peril and extremity, 
as was demonstrated on many bloody battle fields, he has ever been its stanch 
supporter in times of peace, and today there are few old soldiers of the county 
as widely and favorably known and none that can boast of a more honorable 
record. The ranks of the noble organization to which he belonged in the 
days of his youth are fast being decimated by the one invincible foe, and it is 
fitting that in every publication of the nature of this volume special tribute be 
paid to those who served during the greatest civil war known to history. 

Richey Sumners, a retired farmer of Gibson county, was born January 
28, 1843, in this county. He was a son of Thomas and Julia ( Montgomery 1 
Sumners. The father was born in Tennessee and came to this county in 1819, 
at the age of eight, with his parents, Joseph and Mary ( Richey) Sumners. 
The family settled about one and one-half miles southeast of Owensville, en- 
tering government land. The}" made the trip t < > this state in covered wagons, 
in true pioneer style, coming from along Duck river, between Murfreesboro 
and Franklin. Tennessee. After arriving here, they selected the land which 
they finally entered because it had a fine spring on it. Here they cleared a 
little land, hunted, fished and did but little farming. The present generation 
little understands the disadvantages under which our forefathers had to labor. 
Joseph Sumners and his wife both died about seven years after coming to 
this state, when their son. Thomas, was about fifteen years old. Upon the 
death of his parents, Thomas Sumners was bound out to Carlos Wilson, a 
tanner, and remained in his employ until he was twenty-one years of age. He 
mtinued in the employ of Mr. Wilson for five years after reaching his ma- 
jorit) and then launched out into the tanning business for himself. He 
built a tannery one-half mile north of Owensville and continued its operation 
for eighteen years, when he bought a farm, on which the subject of this sketch 
was born. He died in 1863. The mother of the subject of this sketch was 
born about four miles northwest of Owensville, in 1819, the daughter of 
Tudge Thomas Montgomery and Katherine ( Teel ) Montgomery. Her 
father was judge of the circuit court at that time in Princeton, Indiana. She 
lived until 1X60. when her death occurred on the home farm, about three 
years previous to her husband's death. 

Richev Sumners was one of eleven children, seven of whom grew to 
maturity, but only two are now living, the subject of this sketch and his sister, 
Mrs. Anna Bell Baugh, of San Jose, California. When the Civil war began 
Mr. Sumners was but seventeen years of age, but, fired by the disloyal actions 
of the Southern states, his patriotism was stirred to action and he enlisted as 
a private in Company H, Seventeenth Regiment Indiana Volunteer Infantry. 



\ n . l.M'i \\ a. 

which command was assigned to service in the Army of the Cumberland 
and rendered valiant and faithful service in the campaign throughout Ten- 
nessee and Georgia. After reaching Vtlanta in the summer of [864, his 
corps was placed in the Army of the West, under Gen. George II. Thomas. 
He was then transferred back to Nashville, and from thence his division was 
sen! into .Mississippi and Alabama, and he spent the winter of [864-65 in 
southern Alabama and Georgia. When the news of Lee's surrender was 
flashed across the country he was in Georgia. He had served for over three 
years, had been in some of the bloodiesl conflicts of the war, had never 
shirked his duty in any particular and had come through all unscathed. Cer- 
tainly he was more fortunate than thousands and thousands of his fellow sol- 
diers. Ik- was mustered out August 20, 1865. 

Upon the expiration of his military service, Mr. Sumners returned to 
< (wensville, where he engaged in farming for three years, but, an opportun- 
ity presenting itself to purchase a stock of merchandise in Owensville, he 
went to that town and engaged in the mercantile business for three years. 
Seeing a better opportunity for financial investment in the lumber business, 
he sold his interests in the mercantile business and started a lumber establish- 
ment which he conducted successfully for twenty 7 !ive years, when he retired 
from active participation in business affairs lie was one of the original 
stockholders in the Owensville Banking Company and was for a number of 
years the president of the company. He continued in this capacity until 
three years ago, when he resigned. 

Mr. Sumners was married in 1 S 7 5 to Roxana Jaques, the daughter of 
William and Mary (Pollard) Jaques. His wife's great-grandfather settled 
near Poseyville, Posey county, this state, where he entered a large tract oi 
government land. In fact, at his death he had one section for each child. 
\lr. and Mrs. Richey Sumners are the parents of three children, two of win 'in 
are still living, Iva, the wife of Burr Stunkel. of < Iwensville, and the mother 
of four children. Dorothy, Mary. Charles and Martha; Richey, the only son, 
is still living under the parental roof. 

Mr. Sumners, in his three score and ten years of continuous residence 
111 this county, has endeared himself to a wide circle of friends, lie is a 
plain, unassuming man. able and successful in all of his business affairs, 
has contributed to all worthy objects which have for their purpose the better- 
ment of the community in which he has spent his whole career. ITis success 
has been attained by his stead) persistence, sterling integrity and excellent 
judgment. 



560 GIBSON COUNTY, INDIANA. 

JOHN Q. A. GOODMAN. 

The true measure of individual success is determined by what one has 
accomplished. An enumeration of those men who have succeeded in their 
special vocations in Gibson county, and at the same time are impressing 
their personalities on the community, men who are conferring honor on the 
locality in which they reside, would be incomplete were there failure to make 
specific mention of the gentleman whose name stands at the head of this 
sketch, for he is an important factor in the professional life of his commun- 
ity. The success which has come to him has been the direct result of the 
salient points in his character ami the sincere interest which he takes in all 
matters pertaining to the public good has won for him the high regard in 
which he is held by all who know him. 

John Q. A. Goodman was born on a farm in Crawford county, Illinois, 
August 12, 1869. the son of Henry and Caroline A. (Legg) Goodman. The 
father was a native of Ohio, born in the city of Cleveland on May 11, 1836. 
The mother was born and raised in Crawford county, Illinois, her birth oc- 
curring November 1, 1842. Previous to the birth of the subject of this sketch 
the father had settled inn the farm in Crawford county, Illinois, where he 
passed the remainder of his life. He died March 2, 1887. The mother con- 
tinued to make her home in her native count}', and passed away April 5, 
1911. To the union of Henry and Caroline A. (Legg) Goodman were born 
four children, Marcus T., Amos N., John O. A. and William C. Henry 
Goodman was a consistent member of the Presbyterian church, serving as an 
elder for a number of years. In the tenets of this faith he reared his family, 
ever setting before them the example of his own sincere life, his honesty and 
integrity in all matters. 

John O. A. Goodman received his early education in the schools of 
Crawford county, Illinois. He passed his early life on the farm and the 
excellent physique he today possesses, together with a clear and well-bal- 
anced mind, is doubtless in a great measure due to the wholesomeness of those 
early rural duties. But important as agricultural pursuits are, Mr. Goodman 
was not satisfied, for he had within him the desire for a broader sphere of 
life, and in t8q6 he took up the study of law. He brought to the study of 
his chosen profession a boundless and keen enthusiasm and succeeded so well 
that on January 5, 1898. he was admitted to the liar at Washington, Indiana. 
He had not. however, succeeded in finding a location suitable to his taste and, 




JOHN Q. A. GOODMAN. 



GIBSON COUNTY, INDIANA. 561 

with the desire of permanently locating, he came to Princeton on May 28, 
1898, where he has since made his home and ha,s inseparably identified him- 
self with the best interests of the community. He was admitted to practice 
in the United States circuit court at East St. Louis, Illinois, on November 7, 
1906. 

Mr. Goodman was married on April 20. tqo2, to Flora E. Barcroft, of 
Lawrence county. Illinois, the daughter of John and Elizabeth (Fowler) 
Barcroft. Mr. and Mrs. Goodman have one child, John Leland, born Febru- 
ary 15, 1908. 

Mr. Goodman had always identified himself with the Republican party, 
taking an active interest in its affairs, and when the Xew Progressive party 
sprang into existence he refused to accept its principles and took still more 
active interest in behalf of the old-school Republicans. His commanding 
figure is a familiar sighl at political gatherings, and his style of oratory, clear 
and shrewd in its reasoning, concise and effective in delivery, has made him a 
favorite speaker at all campaign gatherings. 

Fraternally, Mr. Goodman lias confined bis connection to the Indepen- 
dent Order of Odd Fellows and the Modern Woodmen of America. His 
religious membership, together with that of his wife, is with the First Pres- 
byterian church of Princeton, in the affairs of which he takes a deep interest 
and to which he contributes generously of his time and means. 

Mr. Goodman has the welfare of the community at heart and at all 
times can be counted on to give his ardent support to every movement having 
for its object the welfare of those about him. A man of sterling qualities, 
his honesty, his upright principles and genial disposition have won for him 
numerous friends throughout the community in which he lives. 



JAMES V. AND CHARLES N. EMERSON. 

There is nothing which stimulates a man to deeds of worth and a life "I 
uprightness and rectitude more than the recollection of the strength of char- 
acter and examples of right living which have been shown by his forbears. 
In this respect Air. Emerson is fortunate beyond the majority of men in being 
descended from a line of men who have been men of strength and influence, 
doing their duty well, whether in the peaceful pursuits of ordinary life or in 
positions of public life and public trust. A heritage of such a memory of the 
(36) 



562 GIBSON COUNTY, INDIANA. 

lives of (.me's forefathers is of more value than a heritage of material wealth. 
In the business affairs of Owensville, the subject of this sketch occupies a 
position of importance and among those who are today conserving the com- 
mercial and industrial prosperity of this community none occupy a higher 
standing among their associates than he whose name appears at the head of 
this review. 

Charles N. Emerson, die son of James A", and Susan J. (Williams) 
Emerson, was born January 7, 1878, near Owensville. Gibson county. Indiana. 
James V. Emerson was born February 27, 1851, the son of Thomas and 
Elizabeth (Duncan) Emerson. Thomas Emerson was born near Cynthiana, 
in the southern part of Gibson count} - , the son of Reuben Emerson, who 
came from Kentucky in 181 1, and settled on the farm where Thomas was 
born. Reuben had a brother, Jesse, who settled near where the subject was 
born, in 1809. Reuben entered his land from the government near the south 
line of Montgomery township in this county, and it was on this farm that 
Thomas was born. Elizabeth, the wife of Thomas, was born in Owensville, 
the daughter of Greenbury and Sarah (Roberts) Duncan. The Duncans 
came to the county in an early day, and the Roberts came from Carolina 
about the time the county was organized. Thomas Emerson followed the 
occupation of a farmer until old age. and after acquiring a comfortable com- 
petence, he moved to Owensville in the latter eighties, where he and his wife 
spent the remainder of their lives. 

James V. Emerson grew up on the farm where he was born, securing his 
education in the district schools, and at the same time assisting his father in 
the duties of the farm life, thus early acquiring those habits of industry and 
perseverance which have characterized him throughout his successful career. 
In February. 1877, he was united in marriage to Susan J. Williams, the 
daughter of Simon and Lavina (Sharer) Williams, who are represented in 
the sketch of Dr. J. R. Williams, elsewhere in this volume. James Emerson 
and his wife went to housekeeping on a farm owned by Mr. Emerson and 
continued to reside there until 1882, at which time the}' moved to Owensville. 
In the following year he engaged in the furniture and undertaking business 
and conducted this enterprise very successfully for more than twenty years, 
and by his industry and perseverance, and the systematic and honorable 
methods he followed, he won for himself not only the confidence of his fellow 
citizens, but a comfortable competence for his old age. About ten years ago 
he sold out this business to Perry Pritchett and retired from active life. 

To Mr. and Mrs. James V. Emerson have been born three children : 
Charles N., the immediate subject of this sketch; Cora, the wife of Samuel B. 



GIBSON COUNTY, INDIANA, 563 

Thompson, lives three miles north of Owensville, and has one daughter, 
Alice; Pear] married C. A. \ Might, and lives at Catlin, Illinois, near Danville, 
and has one daughter, Olga. 

Mr. Emerson and all of his family are members of the General Baptist 
church at Owensville and have always taken a very active part in all the af- 
fairs of that denomination. Through their church affiliations they haw been 
the means of doing an unlimited amount of good in their community. Mr. 
Emerson has been for many years a member of the Free and Accepted 
Masons, and is a valued and respected member of that fraternity. 

Charles N. Emerson, son of James Y. Emerson, has lived in Owensville 
since he was five years of age. He completed hi-- common and high school 
education in that town, and then continued his educational career by a course 
in the Oakland City College, followed by a course in Millikan University, at 
Decatur, Illinois. While attending school, he began to teach in [897 in the 
district schools of his county and taught three years, then, having qualified 
himself for high school work, he became the principal of one ol the Princeton 
ward schools, where he taught for one year, later being principal of the 
< >wensville school for two years. Air. Emerson had uniform success in all his 
teaching experience and the profession lost a good instructor when he de- 
cided to leave the pedagogical profession and enter the banking business. In 
1903 he entered the employ of the hirst National Bank. i<\ Owensville, as 
bookkeeper, and by close application to his business he soon merited a pro- 
motion and became cashier in August of the following year, which position 
he has held since. His teaching experience and college training, combined 
with good sound business judgment, has made him a banker of the first rank. 

Mr. Emerson has always taken an active part in the Democratic politics 
of his town and count), and his fellow citizen- have shown their confidence in 
him by electing him a town trustee and he is now serving his second term as 
town clerk, and in his official capacity he has shown the same business ability 
which characterizes him in his financial dealings. In Masonic circles he is 
master of the Owensville lodge, a position which he has held for four years. 
He is also a member of the Royal \rch Masons at Princeton. Mr. Emerson 
is a type of the highest example of the young American business man. one 
whose integrity, strength of character ami genuine worth have forced him 
into a position of respect in the community. \s a factor of the body politic 
he has performed well his every duty and no one questions his standing in 
this favored locality of the commonwealth of Indiana. 

Charles X. Emerson was married in 1 00 | to Emma Stunkle. who was 
born at Haubstadt, the daughter of Ed. F. and Ellen (Williams) Stunkle. 



564 GIBSON COUNTY, INDIANA. 

Her parents were both born and reared east of Fort Branch, this county. 
Her father's death occurred in Owensville and her mother still resides there. 
Mr. and Mrs. Emerson move in the best social circles of Owensville, and their 
friends are in number as their acquaintances, for they enjoy the esteem and 
high regard of all with whom they come in contact. 



MARTI X A. MONTGOMERY, M.D. 

Fortunate indeed is the family which can trace its history back for 
more than three generations and there are very few that can do more than 
trace their genealogy back as far as four generations. The family history 
of the Montgomerys has been traced back in an unbroken line to the elev- 
enth century and investigation has shown its descendants by the thousands. 
They are found scattered over Europe and over many of the states in this 
country, and wherever they are found they rank among the best families in 
the community. Gibson county may count itself fortunate in having the 
descendants of one branch of this family living in its midst. 

Thomas Montgomery, the great-great-grandfather of Dr. Martin A. 
Montgomery, was the original settler of that name in Gibson county. He 
was known as "Pretty Old Tom." He came to Gibson county first in 1804 
and looked over the territory open for settlement and finally selected a tract 
of land for entering. 

It is interesting to note briefly the origin of the Montgomery family. 
Their genealogy has been worked out along several different branches of the 
family and David B. Montgomery has spent several years in tracing back the 
branch of which he is an honored member. In 1902 he published a volume 
of his researches, in which he showed briefly the history of several thousand 
members of the family. The origin of the name is conjectural, but it is 
most likely from "Mons Gomeris" or "Gomers .Mount." This name has 
been traced back through the descendants of the United States, back through 
Ireland, through Europe down near the Loretto in Italy. In the course of 
many generations the name has had no less than forty-three variations of 
spelling until the adoption of the present spelling. A direct line of descent 
has been traced back to Robert D. Montgomery, who died in 1261. Hugh 
Montgomery, the great-great-great-grandfather of Dr. Martin A. Mont- 
gomery, was born in Ireland of Scotch-Irish descent, and he was the first 
member of this branch of the family to come to America and he became 



GIBSON COUNTY, INDIANA. 565 

the progenitor of this American branch of the Montgomery family in this 
country. He settled near Jamestown, Virginia, but later moved to Roanoke, 
North Carolina. His sons, Samuel and Thomas, left Virginia for Ken- 
tucky, and later went on to Indiana, where they settled in Gibson county. 
Thomas Montgomery took part in the war of the Revolution previous to his 
coming west. The two brothers, Samuel and Thomas, located in Mont- 
gomery township, Gibson county, on the line between Union and Montgom- 
ery townships, where they entered adjoining farms from the government, 
and here they spent the remainder of their lives and reared large families. 

Dr. Martin A. Montgomery, the immediate subject of this sketch, is the 
fifth in direct descent from the Thomas Montgomery who served in the 
Revolutionary war and came to Gibson county in 1804. Martin A. Mont- 
gomery's father. David B.. was born October 20, 1845. his father being John 
R., Jr., born May 4, 1817. John R. Montgomery's father was Walter C, 
born at Roanoke, Virginia, in 1784. his father being Thomas Montgomery. 
the same who fought in the war of the Revolution and came to Gibson 
county in 1804. 

David B. Montgomery spent his boyhood on the homestead farm and 
when he was three years of age the family moved to the place where he has 
since resided. He was educated in the district schools of his township and 
grew to manhood under the parental roof. When he reached his twenty-first 
year he felt the need of further education and started to high school, where 
he spent two years in diligent study trying to prepare himself for the min- 
istry. Before entering the ministry he taught school for three years, when 
he became a home missionary and preached for some years. His health, 
which had never been of the best, was now severely injured by a sunstroke. 
However, despite his poor health, he continued his studies and took charge 
of several churches. His zeal for doing good was so strong within him that 
he neglected his health and consequently he reached the point where he was 
compelled to forego further work in the ministry. Upon giving up his min- 
isterial charges, he returned to the farm where he lias continued to reside. 
However, his work on the farm has not kept him from active participation 
in church work, and during all the years which he has lived on the farm he 
has taken a very active interesl and part in all the church work of his 
ci immunity. 

On October 1. 1 S74. David B. Montgomery was married to Nancy Jane 
Smith, the daughter of John Martin Smith. Mrs. Montgomery (.lied on 
March 24. 1899. To this union were born two children, Martin A., the im- 
mediate subject of this sketch, and Leana A., the wife of George R. Simpson, 



566 GIBSON COUNTY, INDIANA. 

and they have one child, Darwin U., who is now attending school at Oakland 
City College. David Montgomery is still actively associated with the Gen- 
eral Baptist church of Owensville and has been secretary of the home mis- 
sion board for the past thirty-nine years. At the present time he is also 
president of the board of trustees of Oakland City College. Air. .Mont- 
gomery has always taken an interest in the welfare of the General Baptist 
church, and in 1882 he published a comprehensive history of this denomina- 
tion, tracing its growth from its organization in 161 1 up to 1882. His sec- 
ond volume was "The Montgomerys and Their Descendants," which was 
published in [903 by J. P. Cox, of Owensville. This volume was followed 
by "Life of Dr. A. D. Williams," late president of Oakland City College. 
He is now engaged in the preparation of his fourth volume for publication, 
entitled "John Roberts and His Descendants." 

Martin A. Montgomery, son of David B. and Nancy J. (Smith) Mont- 
gomery, was born June 20, 1875, two miles northeast of Owensville. When 
he was a small boy his parents moved two miles and one-half southeast of 
Owensville, where he grew to manhood. His early education was secured 
in the district schools of his township, and this was supplemented by a col- 
lege course at Oakland City College. After his graduation from this insti- 
tution, he entered the University of Louisville in 1895, and completed the 
medical course of that institution in the spring of 1898. Immediately upon 
his graduation he began the practice of medicine in Owensville, and has con- 
tinued in the active practice in this place until the present time. From the 
spring of 1904 to the fall of 1912 he was in partnership with Dr. J. R. Mont- 
gomery. As a physician he has built up a large practice and by his scholar- 
ship and his skill in treating those needing his services he is accounted one 
of the most popular physicians of the county. His work as a physician has 
been recognized by his town in his appointment as health officer by the town 
council. He has also served two years on the town council, and is now a 
member of the county pension board. He and Dr. J. R. Montgomery are 
surgeons for the Chicago & Eastern Illinois Railroad Company and, by 
virtue of this fact, are members of the American Medical Association of 
Railway Surgeons. He is also a member of the Owensville and Gibson 
County Medical Society, the State Medical Society and the American Medi- 
cal Association. 

On October 1, 1899, Dr. Martin A. Montgomery was united in marriage 
to Josephine Strehl. the daughter of Sebastian and Sarah (Goolman) Strehl. 
The father was a native of Germany, his birth having occurred on Tune 



GIBSON COUNTY, [NDIANA. 567 

22, [847, iii Rhinefalz, Bavaria. He was a son of Sebastian and Barbara 
(Denlar) Strehl, and grew to manhood in his native country, where he fol- 
lowed the trade of a tailor. Upon reaching his majority, he came to Amer- 
ica, settling in Evansville, this state, later moving to Linnville, Pike county, 
this state, where his brother resided, and there spent about a year, after 
which he located at Boonville. Two or three years later he went to Rock- 
port, but soon returned to Boonville, where he continued in his work as a 
tailor for about three years, [lis health failing he was compelled to give 
up indoor work and turn to outside occupations. At this time he came 
to Gibson county and settled on a farm near Owensville, where he has been 
engaged in farming since. In 1878 he was married to Sarah Goolman, a 
native of Crawford county. Indiana, the daughter of Joseph Goolman. To 
Mr. and Mrs. Strehl have been born four children. Josephine, the wife of the 
subject of this sketch; Frank, agent for the Chicago & Eastern Illinois Rail- 
road Company at Owensville: Daisy, the wife of Dr. Jesse Emerson, a den- 
tist of Owensville, and Belvia, deceased. Mrs. Martin A. Montgomery spent 
her girlhood on her father's farm near Owensville. Alter completing tin- 
course in the common schools she was a student in the college in Vincennes, 
and after her graduation from this university she taught two years in the pri- 
mary department of the schools at Owensville. To Doctor and Mrs. Mont- 
gomery have been born two children. Harold Martin and Maxine Lucile. 

Fraternally. Doctor Montgomery is a valued member of the Tribe of 
Ben-Hur and takes an active interest in the deliberations of that order Mrs. 
Montgomery is a member of the Order of the Eastern Star. Mr. Montgom- 
ery is a member of the General Baptist church and Mrs. Montgomery is an 
earnest and faithful member of the Methodist Episcopal church of Owens- 
ville, and they have always taken an active interest in all that pertains to the 
welfare of these denominations. Doctor Montgomery is an honored citizen 
of his community, not only as a physician and public official, but as a citizen 
who takes an interest in every movement looking toward the betterment of 
his community. His value to the place honored by his residence cannot be 
estimated by the ordinary standard, since a physician in any community occu- 
pies a most peculiar position. As a conservator of public health lie is the mosl 
important man in any community, and if to his duties as a physician he adds 
those of a public official lie serves a double dut) to his community. Not only 
has Doctor Montgomery been a valued physician and excellent town official, 
but 111 all those things which go to make up the typical good citizen, he meas- 
ures up to the highest standard. 



568 GIBSON COUNTY, INDIANA. 

JAMES B. GAMBLE. 

Success in this life is almost always won by the truly deserving. It is an 
axiom demonstrated by all human experience that a man gets out of this life 
what he puts into it, plus a reasonable interest on the investment. The indi- 
vidual who inherits a large estate and adds nothing to his fortune, cannot be 
called a successful man. He that falls heir to a large fortune and increases 
its value is successful in proportion to the amount he adds to his possession. 
But the man who starts in the world unaided and by sheer force of will, con- 
trolled by correct principles, forges ahead and at length reaches a position of 
honor among his fellow citizens, achieves success such as representatives of 
the two former classes can neither understand nor appreciate. To a consid- 
erable extent the subject of this sketch is a creditable representative of the 
class last named, a class which has furnished much of the bone and sinew of 
the country and added to the stability of our government and its institutions. 

James B. Gamble, the well-known attorney of Princeton, is not a native 
of Gibson county, although that is the locality with which he has identified 
himself so firmly, having first seen the light of day in Carmi, Illinois, on 
December 19, 1853. He is the son of Robert and Nancy (Crowder) Gamble. 
Robert Gamble was a native of Baltimore, Maryland, and the mother was 
born and raised in White county. Illinois. Mr. Gamble was early bereft of a 
mother's tender care, as he was but six months old when she died. There 
had been another child in the family, but it is also dead. The father took as 
his second wife a Mrs. Bradshaw, who bore him three children. Mr. Gam- 
ble's occupation was that of a carpenter, and when the Civil war began he 
enlisted in the Eighty-seventh Illinois Infantry, commanded by Col. J. M. 
Crebs. He was among the many unfortunate ones who never came home 
again, as he died in the service while his regiment was at Memphis. Tennessee. 

James B. Gamble received his earliest instruction in the public schools 
of Carmi, Illinois, afterward coming to Eort Branch, Indiana, where he at- 
tended high school. It was his desire to fit himself as a school teacher, and in 
this he was successful, teaching in the Gibson county schools for five years. 
However, this young man had still higher ambitions and was received into 
the office of Judge William X. Land, of Princeton, where he took up the 
reading of law. After diligent application to his chosen profession he was 
admitted to the bar in August. 1877, since which time he has been practicing 
in Princeton with the exception of six years. This was from July. 1900. to 



GIBSON COUNTY, INDIANA. 569 

July, 1906, during which period he was commissioned a special United States 
revenue agent. 

Mr. Gamble early became interested in politics, identifying himself with 
the Republican party, and by this party was twice elected mayor of Princeton, 
sereving one term of four years and one term of two years. 

On October i t, 1883, Air. Gamble was married to Naomi J. Land, 
daughter of Judge Land, with whom he had been associated in the early 
days of his profession, and who receives specific mention elsewhere in this 
work. To this union have been born three children. Vesper L., aged twenty- 
six, John H., aged seventeen, and William O., aged fifteen. All of the chil- 
dren are still at home, the family circle being unbroken. Air. Gamble belongs 
to the time-honored body of Free and Accepted Alasons, and has advanced 
in this as far as the chapter work. He is a member of blue lodge No. 231 at 
Princeton, and is a member of the Modern Woodmen of America. 

Mr. Gamble is too well and widely known to make it necessary in add thai 
he is a man of integrity and sterling v. 1 irth, who holds the honor and respect 1 if 
his community. He is one of that admirable body of men who can justly style 
themselves "self made," and have just cause for pride in their accomplish- 
ment. By his unfailing ambition and strict adherence to right principles, he 
has won for himself an enviable name and his wide influence is willingly ex- 
tended in behalf of every deserving enterprise that has for its object the ad- 
vancement of the moral welfare of the community. 



SIMON FRLXi I I 



The gentleman whose name heads this paragraph is widely known in 
Johnson county and is .me of the honored citizens of Union township, where 
he is living in honorable retirement after a strenuous Hie of activity in con- 
nection with agricultural pursuits. 1 1 is well-directed efforts in the practical 
affairs of life, his capable management of his business interests and his sound 
judgment have brought to him prosperity, and bis life demonstrates what 
may be accomplished by any man of energy and ambition who is not afraid 
to work and has the perseverance t" continue his labors in the face of any 
disaster or discouragement that may arise. In all the relations of life Air. 
French has commanded the confidence and respect of those with whom he 
has been brought into contact and a biographical history of this locality 
would not be complete without a record of his career. 



57° GIBSON COUNTY, INDIANA. 

Simon French was born March 5, 1846, on the old French farm in 
Patoka township, Gibson county, Indiana, and has spent practically his entire 
life in this locality. The father, Phillip French, was born on February 12, 
1807, in the state of New Jersey. In early manhood he went to Danville, 
Kentucky, where he was employed at his trade of brick mason and plasterer. 
On October 7, 1837, in Kentucky, he married Ann DeMott, a native of that 
state, born on November 22, 18 16, and eventually they came to Gibson county, 
Indiana, by wagon and he entered forty acres of wild land, on which they 
erected a typical pioneer log cabin. The land was covered with a dense 
growth of timber and efforts of the most strenuous character were necessary 
in order to put the land in shape for cultivation. Mr. French put a puncheon 
floor in his cabin, made a stick chimney, and in every respect their home was 
a typical frontier place. Mr. French cleared and improved this place and lived 
there until the end of his life, his death occurring on November 5, 1855. His 
wife survived her husband many years, dying in 1S94. Mr. French was a 
successful farmer, raising also a great deal of live stock and, in addition to 
his agricultural pursuits, he was frequently employed by the neighbors as a 
mason and brick-layer. At the time of his death he was the owner of one 
hundred and forty acres of good land. He was a Democrat in his political 
views, and in religion his wife was a member of the General Baptist church. 
Widely known throughout this section of the country, he was highly re- 
spected and esteemed by his entire acquaintance. To him and his wife were 
born the following children: Peter, born September 11, 1838, lived in this 
county and also in Kansas, where he followed agricultural pursuits. He is 
now deceased. He married Melinda Keys, and after he died she became the 
wile of Squire Weed, of Fort Branch. John J., born January 15, 1839, died 
in early youth. Mary Ellen, born January 30, 1840, died unmarried. Martha 
Tane, who died April 24, 1841, became the wife of William Landfair, of 
Maxim Station, Indiana. Ephraim, born November 24, 1843, died at the 
age nf nineteen years. Simon, the immediate subject of this sketch. William, 
born December 29, 1850, is a farmer near Dyersburg, Tennessee. Philip B., 
born Februarv 9, 1856, is a farmer in Union township, this county. 

Simon French had but little opportunity to secure a school education, 
but, being studiously inclined, he acquired a large and accurate fund of gen- 
eral information, being considered a well-informed man. He remained with 
his parents until he was twenty-five years of age, when he was married, and 
soon afterwards bought a farm of fifty-three acres in Patoka township. The 
land was partlv improved, but Mr. French at once went to work and brought 
it up to a high standard of agricultural excellence. He also bought the old 



GIBSON COUNTY, [NDIANA. 571 

homestead farm, on which he lived for ten years, when, in 1903, he moved to 
Fort Branch, where he is now living retired from active labor. He owns a 
number of valuable farms in this county, and has in all. in Patoka ami Union 
townships, seven hundred acres of line land, being numbered among the most 
substantial citizens of his section of the county. He has always followed 
farming and stock raising as a vocation, and has met with phenomenal suc- 
cess in both of these enterprises. Starting in life in a small way, he has, 
with most persistent industry, steady perseverance and good management, 
gained quite a competency and is numbered among tin- county's wealthy 
citizens. 

In 1871 Mr. French married Louisa Davis, a native of Patoka town- 
ship, Gibson county, Indiana, the daughter of Samuel and lane (Barker) 
Davis, the mother a native of Owensville, Indiana, and the father of South 
Carolina. The latter was a farmer during his active life, his later residence 
being in Patoka township, this county. They were the parents of six chil- 
dren, namely: George; Louisa: Bentley; Mary, who lives on the old home 
place: Ella, who married Frank Kimmer, of Princeton, and John, who also 
lives "ti the old home farm. I'd Mr. and Mrs. French have been born •-even 
children, of whom six are living, namely: Rosie, the wife of Henry Martin, 
a farmer in Union township, this county; Vada, who died in early youth; 
fesse, win 1 lives on a part of the old homestead farm: Samuel, also a farmer 
on part of the subject's farm; Stella, the wife of Owen Stephens, of 
Patoka township, this county; Mary, the wife of Wilbur Strickland, of 
Princeton, and Barney, a farmer in Patoka township. 

Politically a Democrat. Mr. French has for many years been an active 
participant in local public affairs, though never actively seeking office on his 
own account. Religiously, he and his wife are earnesl and faithful members 
of the Regular Baptisl church. Personally, .Mr. French is greatl) esteemed 
!iv his neighbors, and his name stands for uprighl conduct and a high standard 
1 if manhoi id and citizenship. 



WILLIS II. TICHENOR. 

Prom the time of Tubal Cain the artificer in iron has been one of the 

nio^t important factors in civilization. He it was who forged the first 

implements of the field and the weapons of war. The iron worker made 

ssible the mail-clad knighl of the Middle Kges and later the cannon which 

changed the whole course of civilization. In all the communities of Indiana 



57 2 GIBSON COUNTY, INDIANA. 

the blacksmith made all the tools the farmer used, the axes, the saws, the 
hoes and the horseshoes. The blacksmith was the original iron foundrvman, 
the first iron manufacturer, and without him no community could long exist. 
In the treaties which the United States entered into with the Indians of In- 
diana in the early history of the state, it was always stipulated that the 
Indians were to be supplied with a blacksmith. He was as essential to the 
community in its industrial life as was the minister to its religious life and 
the teacher to its intellectual life. Even to this day no community could 
dispense with, the blacksmith, and for these reasons too much honor cannot 
be accorded this important occupation. Among the men of this occupation 
in Gibson county, no one stands any higher than does Willis H. Tichenor, 
the subject of this review. 

Willis H. Tichenor, the son of Timothy M. and Elizabeth (Hudelson) 
Tichenor, was born in Owensville, Indiana, on October 8, 1850. Timothy 
Tichenor was a native of this county and followed the trade of a blacksmith 
all his life. His shop in Owensville became the center of an extensive trade 
and by his remarkable skill in iron work, he became one of the most impor- 
tant men in the whole county. No one can gainsay the fact that a good 
blacksmith is a big asset to any community, and especially was this so at 
the time when he was following the trade. Shortly before his death, he went 
into the saw-mill business in Owensville and followed that occupation very suc- 
cessfully. Timothy Tichenor was born July 11, 1829, was married Decem- 
ber 24, 1849. ar| d his death occurred January 3, 1895. His wife, Elizabeth 
Hudelson, was born November 9, 1831. To them were born eight children: 
Willis H., the immediate subject of this sketch; Daniel Crawford, who mar- 
ried Louisa Roberts, lives on a farm about four miles north of Owensville 
and has one child. Elsie; Luther M., who married Almedia Daughertv, lives 
on a farm one mile south of Owensville and has four children, Mary, Anna, 
William and Hazel; William Seward, who lives with his mother in Owens- 
ville, she being now past eighty-two years of age; Florence, who married 
John Daugherty. a farmer of this township, is the mother of two children, 
( Iscar and Frank. After the death of John Daugherty, which occurred in 
1 010, his widow married Elmer Coleman, also a farmer living about two 
miles east of Owensville; two children who died in infancv. 

Willis II. Tichenor spent his boyhood days in Owensville, securing his 
education in the common school of his home town and learning the trade 
of a blacksmith in his father's shop, and continued in this occupation until 
about a year before his marriage, when he went into business for himself. 



GIBSON COUNTY, [NDIANA. ^7$ 

About 1890 he sold out his blacksmithing establishment and entered into the 
impleinc.it business across the street from his old shop, lie is the agent 
for the Deering and International Harvester Companies, lie carries a 
full and complete line of farming implements of all sorts and has a large 
patronage throughout the county. No man stands higher in the community 
as a business man than does Mr. Yichenor. 

Willis H. Tichenor was married first in December, 1^74. to Louisa 
Lucas, the daughter of Francis and Alary (Mauck) Lucas. This union was 
blessed with tour daughters. Alary, who died at the early age of two years; 
Florence Belle, the wife of Arthur Brown, a farmer living near King's 
Station, is the mother of two children, Eunice and Mildred; Nellie \Y., the 
wife of Robert Redman, a farmer of this township, and they have four 
children, Eva, Howe, Birdena and Eugene; Emma Ethel, the wife of Fran- 
cis Thompson, a blacksmith of Owensville, and they are the parents of three 
children, Paul, Raymond and Alary Elizabeth. After the death of his first 
wife. Air. Tichenor married Elizabeth (Williams) Barker, /daughtci of 
Perry and Nancy (Meadows) Williams, and to this union were born tour 
children. Warren, who died at the age of three wars; Wallace 1'.. who mar- 
ried Eva Speer, and lives in < Iwensville, following the trade of a blacksimth 
with his father; he has one child, Charles Willis; Erma. who is -nil al 
home with her parents, and Earl W.. deceased. 

Air. Tichenor has always adhered to the principles of the Republican 
party, but has never been an office seeker, although he served for two terms 
as councilman in the town of Owensville, at the same time with Henry 
Dugan and Lewis Whitenbaugh. Fraternally, he is a member of the time 
honored order of the Free and Accepted Masons, and lias always taken an 
active part in the workings of that organization, lie and his wife have been 
loyal and earnest church workers during their long residence in this county. 
he being a member of tin- ( hikt.iI Baptist church of ( )wensville, and a deaci in 
of that denomination at the present time, while his wife belongs to the Regular 
Baptisl church. They contribute liberally of their substance to the support 
of their respective churches. Air. Tichenor, by hi- industry and sound 
judgment, ha- been very successful in the management of his business and 
well merits a place of honor in this history. He has always been upright in 
hi- dealings with his fellow citizens and. because of his sterling qualities, he 
has made friends of all with whom he has come into contact. lie has 
alwavs actively identified himself with all those movement- which have for 
their purpose the bettering of the moral, social or intellectual life of the 
communitv in which he lives. 



574 GIBSON COUNTY, INDIANA. 

JACOB W. MAUCK. 

Poets often tell the truth and the old song which contains the refrain, 
"The farmer feeds them all," states a very fundamental and economic 
truth. Without the farmer the rest of the country would starve within a 
week despite the large amount of food in cold storage. Every occupation 
might be done away with but farming and people could live, but a total 
cessation of farming for a very short time would actually depopulate the 
whole world. A man can live without banks all his life, but deprive him of 
his bread and his career is soon ended. Farming is becoming an honored 
profession ; our district schools are teaching it as a science and our colleges 
are granting degrees for agricultural courses. The farmers of any com- 
munity sustain the people dependent on every other profession. Without 
the farmer the banker would close his doors, the manufacturer would shut 
down his factory and the railroads would suspend operations. Among the 
honored men of Gibson county, Indiana, who help to keep the banker, the 
manufacturer and the railroads is the subject of this sketch. 

Jacob Warrick Mauck, son of Thompson G. and America (Knowles) 
Mauck, was born August 25, 1852, one and one-half miles northwest of 
Owensville, Gibson county, the father and mother both being natives of 
this county. They were married in 185 1, and immediately moved on to the 
old Rutter farm, about three-fourths of a mile east of the old homestead, 
where they lived for six years. He was engaged in general farming all his 
life and also bought and sold considerable live stock. For a number of years 
be was also agent for the old wooden binder in this countv. Thev were 
the parents of five children : Abraham, who married Margaret Johnson, 
lives in Denver, Colorado, where he is engaged in the lumber business, and 
he has seven children, Harvey, May, John, Myrtle, Joseph, Ethel and 
Thompson; Asa. who died at the age of thirteen: Matilda married Henry 
W. Smith and lives on a farm between Owensville and Princeton, and 
has three children. Mrs. Nora Armstrong, America, who died at the age of 
two years, and Earl R. ; John A., who married Ada Robinson, is a traveling 
man, and they have two children, Bernice and Hilda; Jacob W., the imme- 
diate subject of this sketch. Mrs. America Mauck died in 1891, and in 
the fall of 1892 Mr. Mauck married Augusta Emerson, of Gibson county. 
Thompson G Mauck's death occurred in August, 191 1. his widow surviving 
him two years, dying in the spring of 1913. 

Jacob W. Mauck, the subject of this sketch, was married November 30. 



GIBSON COUNTY, INDIANA. 575 

1876, to Lucy, the daughter of James S. and Parmelia (Davis) Mounts. 
Her father is a native of this county, his birth occurring about two miles 
south of Owensville. He followed the occupation of a farmer all his life, 
his death occurring on his farm on February 21, 1899. His widow sur- 
vived him several years, her death occurring on August 5, [908. They 
were the parents of eleven children: AJbijah; Joseph Lane, deceased; Silas 
L., deceased; Elijah, deceased; Lucy, the wife of the subject; Alary; Martha, 
deceased; Ida A., the wife of Jefferson Welborn, a farmer of this county; 
Flora, deceased; Oscar, who married Flora Armstrong, is a farmer of this 
county, with live children and one who died in infancy. 

Jacob W. Mauck spent his boyhood on the farm, attending the schools 
of his neighborhood in the winter seasons, and working on the farm during 
the summer. Early in life he decided to make farming his life's work and 
two years before marriage he began farming fur himself, renting ground 
from his uncle, Samuel Mauck, of this township. He continued operations 
on this farm after his marriage until 1879, when he had the misfortune to 
have his house burned down. He then moved to the Jackie Simpson farm 
of fifty acres, where he remained for two years, heeling that he could bet- 
ter his condition by buying a farm of his own, he purchased the Beard and 
Davis farm four miles northwest of Owensville, from his brother-in-law, 
Silas L. Mounts. On this farm of one hundred and twenty acres he farmed 
for thirty-two years, bringing it to a high stale of cultivation and improving 
it in every way. He stocked his farm with the best stock obtainable and 
proved to be a very successful agriculturist. Upon the death of 
bis father, he moved to his father's old place and remained there for about 
two years, when he moved to Owensville in August, ton, having been 
appointed trustee of Montgomery township in I'ebruary of that year. Mr. 
and Mrs. Jacob \V. Mauck have four children: Nora, who died at the early 
age of two years; Asa, who married Mar\ Robb, lives on his grandfather's 
old farm, and he is the father of three children. Irene. Warren and Arva; 
Elijah, who died in 181)7; George, who married Ethel Hush, lives on his 
father's old place near Owensville. 

Fraternally, Mr. Mauck is a member of the timi I order of Free 

and Accepted Masons, at Owensville, and takes an active interest in all the 
workings of this organization. Politically, he has always affiliated with the 
Democratic party and has always taken a live and active interest in the affairs 
of that political body. His .sterling worth as a citizen and business man was 
recognized by his appointment as trustee of In township in February, ton, 
and for the short time that he has been in the office he has discharged its 



576 GIBSON COUNTY, INDIANA. 

arduous duties to the entire satisfaction of the community and township. Air. 
Mauck is a quiet and unassuming man. of genial disposition, firm in his con- 
victions and one who has always looked out for the best welfare of his town- 
ship. As a public official he has shown an honesty and integrity which stamps 
him as a public citizen which makes for the best in our civilization. He has 
gained his success through legitimate and worthy means and stands today as 
an honorable type of the self-made man. 



HENRY WHITE. 



Examples that impress force of character on all who study them are 
worthy of record. By a few general observations may be conveyed some 
idea of the characteristics and worthy career of Henry White, for many years 
a well known farmer of Gibson county, Indiana, who is now living in honor- 
able retirement in Patoka township, having, through his industry and perse- 
verance, accumulated a competency. He has pursued the even tenor of his 
way in a quiet and unostentatious manner which never courts publicity, at- 
tending strictly to his own affairs, doing the right as he understands it and 
keeping his conscience void of offense towards God and man. It is not a 
matter of wonderment that the elements of a solid and practical nature, which 
unite in his composition, should win him a conspicuous place in his commun- 
ity, when we learn that he conies of a sterling family, a family that believed 
not only in keeping busy along legitimate lines of endeavor, but also in living 
up to the highest standard of citizenship in every respect. 

Henry White was born in Westphalia, Germany, in November, 1834. 
the son of William and Minnie ( Schulmeier ) White, both also natives of that 
place, where they lived and died. They were farming folk and people of 
eminent respectability in this community. They were the parents of four 
son-: William, who died in Germany; Henry, the immediate subject of this 
sketch; Charles, who came to America in 185 1, and was taken sick and died 
at Cairo, Illinois ; Ernest, who is living in Germany. The subject had but 
little opportunitv to attend schoi >] in his native land, and as a boy he was 
hired out in order to reduce the expense of the family. When a lad of fifteen 
vears he started to America alone, coming on a sailing vessel, and, after a 
rough and stormy voyage of eleven weeks, the boat having been held at 
Bremen for two weeks, they landed at New Orleans. The experiences of this 



2 

> 
Z 
O 

S 

w 
w 

H 
2 

SB 







GIBSON COUNTY. INDIANA. ^JJ 

journey will never be forgotten by those who took part. When they crossed 
the North sea it was very rough and cold, and the subject froze his feet so 
badly that he could not walk, and when they reached the Atlantic ocean in 
March the sea was calm and the weather mild. The captain ordered all 
hands on deck, so they could fumigate the ship. They took tar buckets and, 
heating irons very hot, pnl them in the buckets to fumigate, and the tar 
caught fire and caused a panic among the passengers, who rushed in every 
direction. The subject, however, was unable to walk, ami was badly fright- 
ened before the danger was over. There was much sickness, as well as 
vermin on the ship. After landing at New Orleans the subject came up to 
Princeton, Indiana, where he obtained employment with John Irvin tor a 
short time, and then worked on a railroad eight miles west of Vincenn 
Later he returned to Gibson county and worked in a saw-mill for Cleveland 
Polk, west of 1'rinceton, on the Marsh creek, on the Owensville road, where 
he helped cut the timber from the land. He was married in 1863. and soon 
after settled at Cherry Grove, west of Princeton, where he remained about 
three years, and then went to Warrick county, this state, near the south line 
of Gibson county, and remained there for eleven years. He then ^btained 
one hundred and sixty acres of land in White River township, Gibson county, 
which had on it an old log house and stable, and there the subject made many 
permanent and substantial improvements, cleared the land and created a 
splendid home. Here he reared and educated his children and carried on 
general farming and stock raising in such a way as to not only win a com- 
fortable competence, but also a reputation as a good business man. 

On January 22, 1863, Mr. White was married to Mary Guise, who was 
horn in Indianapolis, Indiana, on December 1, 1844, the daughter of William 
and Marv ( G rover) Guise, the father a native of Germany and the mother of 
Pennsylvania. William came in young manhood to America, locating in 
[ndianapolis, where he engaged in (lie baking business, at which lie was an 
expert. In 1852 he came to Gibson county, and bought a farm 111 Patoka 
township, where he spent the remainder of his life, his death occurring at the 

of sixty years. His wife died at the age of seventy-three years l i 
a Lutheran in his religious belief, while his wife was a member of the Baptisl 
church. They were the parents of eight children. Mary. Mrs. White: 
Nancy, the widow of George T. Burton, of Princeton; Sophia, who became 
the wife of Charles Hisey, a fanner of Patoka township: Augustus, of Oak- 
land City, Indiana; William, a retired farmer in Princeton. Indiana; Christina. 
(37) 



5/8 GIBSON COUNTY. INDIANA. 

the wife of Fred Hasselbrink, a farmer in Patoka township; Henrietta, de- 
ceased, the wife of John Kiefer; Lizzie, who remains single and is living in 
Indianapolis. To Mr. and Airs. White have been born four children: Emma, 
the wife of Fred Kohlmeier, of Center township, where he operates a farm. 
They have eight children: Myrtle, who died at the age of eleven years; 
Sadie, the wife of Fred Gasper, a tanner in Center township, and they have 
two children, Freda and Henry; Henry, a teacher at Francisco, and John, 
Leroy, Ethel, Ruth and Fred, Jr., at home. Albert White, who is a successful 
farmer in Patoka township, married Annie Flasselbrink, and they have five 
children, Arthur, Althe, Adelbert, Henry and an infant daughter, dead. Sallie 
S. White became the wife of Thomas Carithers, a farmer in Patoka town- 
ship, and they have one son, Kenneth, living and one son dead. Cassius, who 
also is a tanner in Patoka township, married Ida Key, and they have two 
children, Kermit and Leland. 

Mr. White retired from active farming operations in 1900 and settled 
on the "Id home place, north of Princeton, where he bought a ten-acre tract, 
and is now comfortably situated and able to spend the rest of his days in com- 
fort and quiet. He and his wife are faithful and earnest members of the 
Methodist Episcopal church and they take a deep interest in all religious 
efforts. Mr. White derives great comfort from the reading of the Blessed 
Word. He has always been a staunch Republican in politics, though never 
very active in public affairs. A man of splendid personal character, because 
of his correct life and his genuine worth. Mr. White has long enjoyed the 
good will and confidence of his neighbors, and he is eminently worth) - ol 
representation in a work of the character of the one at hand. 



COLUMBUS EMERSOX. 

The twentieth-century farmer knows very little of the disadvantages 
which surrounded the pioneer farmer of this state. No longer is the farmer 
compelled to rise early in the morning and continue his labors far into the 
evening. The farmer of today can do as much work in a half day as his 
father could fifty years ago in a whole day. The free mail delivery leaves the 
daily paper on his doorstep each morning; his telephone puts him in com- 
munication with his neighbors, while the internrban car and automobile 
enable him to participate in all the features of city life. The present genera- 
tion of farmers have no forest to clear, few swamps to drain, while hundreds 



GIBSON COUNTY, INDIANA. 579 

hi inventions designed to lighten the labors of the farmers have been pul 
their hands. The flail of our fathers has given way to the threshing machine 
of today and even the old-fashioned corn cutter is laid on the shelf and the 
corn is now cut by machinery. The old-fashioned shucking peg has given 
way to the modern corn husker, and, surrounded by such conditions, the 
fanner of today can have all the advantages of the citizens in the city with 
few of his disadvantages. The pioneer farmers are fast passing away and 
within the next few years they will he gone. The subject of this brief bii 
raphy is one of those farmers who struggled in the early fifties ami sixties 
of our state's history to build fur himself a comfortable competency on the 
farm. Columbus Emerson has known what it was to clear the forest, to 
drain the swamps, to build the roads through the morasses, to cut wheat by 
hand and perform all those multitudinous tasks which fell to the lot of the 
pioneer farmer. 

Columbus Emerson, the son of Jesse and Margaret I Redman i Emerson, 
was horn July 28, 1842, in Johnson township, < ribson county, Indiana. Jesse 
Emerson was horn in Kentucky, the sun of Reuben Emerson, and came to 
this county early in life. Reuben settled in Johnson township, between 
Cynthiana and Haubstadt. Margaret, the wife of Jesse Emerson, was born 
in Adair county, Kentucky, and lived there until she was about six years ol 
age, when her parents moved to Montgomery township, this county, and pur- 
chased the farm northeasl of I Kvensville, where her father's death occurred 
shortly after the close of the Civil war. while her mother lived a few years 
longer, her death occurring at Princeton. 

Columbus Emerson is one of eighl children born to Jesse and Margaret 
(Redman) Emerson: Reuben, Charles, Logan, Columbus, the immediate 
subject of this sketch; James J.. Mrs. Augusta Mauck, Josephus and ^\lrs. 
-Martha W. Smith. Columbus was reared on his father's farm and enjoyed 
all the advantages, as well as tin- disadvantages, incident to farm life at that 
time. Here he learned those habits of industry and economy which have 
characterized him throughout his long career 111 the county. 

In 1865 Mr. Emerson was united in marriage to Sarah Skelton, the 
daughter of Joseph and Nancy 1 Mont'. Skelton. and they are the 

parents of five children, namely: Mrs. Morton Woods, who has one daugh- 
ter, Edith, lives two miles north of Owensville; Joseph, who married Agnes 
ram, has three children. Herman, Mildred and Eugene, and lives four 
miles north of Owensville; Jesse 1).. who married Daisy Strihl. has one son, 
Robert, is a dentist at Owensville; < Mis married Anna C. Cushman, and has 



5S0 GIBSON COUNTY, INDIANA. 

five children, Earl, Mark, Byron, Eleanor ami Margaret, lives on the old 
home place four miles northeast of Owensville belonging to the subject's 
father; Gussie L., wife of W. Oscar Dougherty, lives two and one-half miles 
southwest of Fort Branch, and they have one son, Doris. The mother of these 
children died about twelve years after her marriage and subsequently Mr. 
Emerson married Mary A. (DePriest) Dougherty, of Owensville, the daugh- 
ter of Mr. and Mrs. W. Franklin Dougherty, and her death occurred in 1903. 
In 1905 Mr. Emerson married Mrs. Hannah J. (DePriest) (Baldwin) 
Mounts, who was born between I 'rinceton and Patoka, the daughter of James 
M. anil Rebecca ( Devin) DePriest. Her father was born near Nashville, 
Tennessee, and was brought in infancy by his mother to this state, his father 
having died in Tennessee. James M. DePriest grew up on the farm and 
after his marriage farmed for a short time. Before the breaking out of the 
Civil war he moved to Princeton, where he engaged in general merchandising, 
and for a period of nineteen years he was in partnership with a Mr. Mauck, 
the firm being known as Mauck & DePriest, and was located on the north- 
west corner of the public square. Rebecca Devin, the mother of Mrs. Hannah 
J. Emerson, was born near Devin Hill, north of Princeton, the daughter of 
James and Hannah (Chapman) Devin, the father having come from Pittsyl- 
vania county, Virginia, with a number of others of the Devin family. His 
father, Alexander Devin. was a Baptist minister, and is buried at Princeton. 
Her mother, Hannah Chapman, came from on Barren river, near Hartford, 
Kentucky. She lived on her father's farm north of Princeton until she was 
fifteen years of age. and then moved with her parents to Princeton, where her 
father engaged in general merchandising. In June, 1865, she married John 
L. Baldwin, and resided in Princeton for a time, later removing to the West, 
where her husband engaged in business. They were the parents of four 
children, Anna, who died in infancy; May. the wife of William L. Jones, of 
Carlisle. Indiana, and they are the parents of eight children; John, who lives 
in St. Louis, has one son, John W. Baldwin, of Indianapolis, is a railroader; 
Will, who married Myrtle Mills, has live children, three of whom are living, 
is in the railroad shops at The Dais, Oregon. John L. Baldwin died in 1874, 
and his widow afterwards married John Mounts, and lived at Iola. Kansas, 
on a farm. There were two children by this marriage, Myrtle and Fred. 
Myrtle died in infancy and Fred is a sailor on a Pacific coast vessel. Mr. 
Mounts' death occurred in Princeton in [900, and his widow continued to re- 
side in Princeton until her marriage to Mr. Emerson in 1905. 

Columbus Emerson has been a life-long farmer in Montgomery town- 



GIBSON COUNTY, IXHUXA, 581 

ship, this count}-. His whole life has been spent in civil pursuits with the ex- 
ception of three years which he spent at the from during the Civil war. His 
military record is a matter of congratulation among Ins friends and is a pride 
to his country. I lis career as a soldier was attended with the same g 1 for- 
tune which has followed him in his civil pursuits. I '.rave and true, he well 
deserves, however, the success with which he met while gallantly serving in 
defense of his country's flag during the Civil war. He enlisted in Company 
B, Sixty-fifth Regiment Indiana Volunteer Infantry, and was assigned to 
duty in the Army of the Ohio. From the date of his enlistment. A.ugust 9, 
1862, until the close of the war, he was in every campaign of this regiment. 
He served through Tennessee and saw Sherman to Vtlanta, where he fought 
in that memorable summer's campaign around that city. From Atlanta he 
went back to Nashville with Thomas and later, after the bloody battle of 
Stone River, in January, 1864, his regiment was transferred to Columbia in 
eastern Tennessee. In the summer of 1864 he was on duty in the Carolinas 
and followed after Joseph W. Thomas to Greensboro. North Carolina, where 
he was stationed when Lee surrendered to Grant, and on April 8, 1865. at the 
close of the war, was mustered out with an honorable record. During this 
period of three years he was in more than fifty battles and skirmishes and yet 
he was fortunate to come through unscathed. 

Immediately after the close of the war Mr. Emerson came back to his 
home county, and after a short time he purchased a farm five miles north of 
Owensville, which he continued to operate for a number of years, ami then 
sold it and bought his father's old farm, where he lived until t<)04. when he 
retired from active farming operations and moved to Owensville, where he 
still resides. 

By his industry and good business judgment, Mr. Emerson now owns 
two hundred and eleven acres of fine land in this county, one hundred and 
one acres in Union township and one hundred and ten in Montgomery town- 
ship. During his long career in this county Mr. Emerson has stood for every- 
thing which tended toward the bettering of the moral and intellectual life of 
the community. He and his wife have been life-long members of the Cum- 
berland Presbyterian church and haw contributed liberally of their means 
during all these years toward the support of that denomination. Mr. Emer- 
son is also one of the oldest members of the Free and Accepted .Masons in the 
county. 

It is interesting to note that Mrs. Emerson's first husband was a valiant 
soldier during the Civil war and spent several months in the notorious Libby 



582 GIBSON COUNTY, INDIANA. 

prison before he was liberated. Mrs. Emerson's grandfather, James Devin, 
was in the battle of Tippecanoe in 1807. Her great-grandfather, Alexander 
Devin, was one of the forty-three members composing the first constitutional 
convention of Indiana in 1816. He was one of the two delegates sent from 
Gibson county. 

The mother of Columbus Emerson died June 6, 1889, his father's death 
having occurred several years before, on November 6, 1878. Mr. Emerson 
is a type of the sturdy pioneer, who has brought the agricultural interests of 
our state to the present state of perfection. During his long residence in this 
county he has seen all of the modern improvements gradually introduced into 
farming. As a citizen no one is inure highly respected in the county than is 
he, and as a veteran of the Civil war all delight to honor his name. 



JAMES E. BELOAT. 

To make a success of agriculture it is necessary to be something more 
than a hard worker. A farmer might labor from dawn to twilight every day 
in the year and yet fail to accomplish much ; there must be sound judgment 
and discretion exercised at the same time, a knowledge of soils, grains, live 
stock, and. in fact, general business. The man who accomplishes much as a 
tiller of the soil and the manager of a landed estate in these days should be 
accorded a place along with the men who succeed in other walks of life, for 
often it requires more ingenuity and courage to lie a farmer than anything 
else that claims the attention of men in the world of affairs. A brief review 
of the life and career of James E. Beloat, retired agriculturist, of Haubstadt, 
Gibson county, will suffice to show that he has achieved success in his life 
work partly because he has worked for it and partly because he was a good 
manager ami a man of proper habits 

James E. Beloat was born April 8, [853, in Johnson township, Gibson 
county, Indiana, the son of George and Martha (Reel) Beloat, both natives 
of the same township and count)', the father being a son of James Beloat, 
who was a native of Scotland, and. the mother a daughter of Henry Reel. 

The subject's maternal grandfather, Henry Reel, who was one of the 
early settlers in Gibson county, first located near Patoka, removing shortly 
thereafter to Johnson township, where he bought a piece of land from John J. 
Neallv, the first postmaster of Princeton. Here he settled with his family, 
later taking up government land, and on this place he raised a family of twelve 



GIBSON COUNTY, [NDIANA. 583 

children and lived to a ripe old age. Fn addition to his agricultural pursuits, 
he drove a stage for a time between Evansville and Vincennes. He was a 
man of great energy and action and a leader in his time. During the Indian 
wars in T.ecumseh's time Mr. Keel took an important part in the suppression 
of the troublesome redskins. 

The subject's grandfather, James Beloat, was of Scotch descent, although 
he was horn in America. His immediate ancestors hailed from the high- 
lands of the land of Bobbie Burns and spoke the Gaelic language of that 
section. At the extremely early date on which the grandfather settled in 
Gibson county, the country was in an almost primitive condition and Indians 
were quite numerous in that vicinity. 

George Beloat, father of the subject, purchased the land which he occu- 
pied during his lifetime from his father-in-law, Henry Reel. He enlisted, in 
August, 1862, in the First Indiana Cavalry and served with his regiment until 
honorably discharged in 1865, being wounded while in the service, but not 
seriously. At one time his entire company was captured. Among them was 
a private, a Missourian, who had previously been taken prisoner and had 
taken the oath of allegiance to the South. Knowing that as a Confederate 
prisoner he would he shot, he decided he might as well he killed in attempting 
to escape as in any other way, so decided to make the effort. He was joined 
by tlu subject's father and three others, all of whom were successful in elud- 
ing the sentries and reaching the Union lines in safety. George Beloal was a 
representative citizen, an elder in the Presbyterian church for thin ars, 

and when he died in [902, at the age of sixty-two, hi-- demise was mourned 
by a large circle of friends. His widow, who was also a member of the 
Presbyterian church and a woman well versed in the genealogy of the family 
and in local history, died in IQIO, at the age of eighty- four. 

To the subject's parents were horn six children, who were: James P.. ; 
Thomas, now in Princeton; Marcus lives in Oakland City; Kate, deceased, 
was the wife of John Fowler, id' California: George lives near Fori Branch; 
Belle married llarter Pell, of Evansville. 

James P.. Beloat received a good education in the common schools of 
the district and attended the high it Fori Branch. On completing his 

scholastic studies he actively engaged in agriculture on the homestead, and up 
1" the time of his retirement devoted his energies and careful thought to the 
development ami improvement of his holdings. Starting with one hundred 
and sixty acres of the home place, he has gradualh acquired additional land 
as he was prospered until at the time of his retirement he was the possessor of 
two hundred and thirty acre- of splendid land on which he conducted general 



584 GIBSON COUNTY, INDIANA. 

scientific fanning and stock raising, taking especial interest in the latter 
branch of the industry. For a number of years Mr. Beloat bred Durham 
Cattle from the best registered stock, but when the Hereford, or whiteface, 
cattle came in, he turned to them and afterward raised large numbers of the 
latter breed. The soil of his farm is exceedingly fertile, due, no doubt, to his 
intelligent rotation of crops, and it has more than a local reputation for large 
crop production, as high as one hundred and ten bushels of corn having been 
raised to the acre. 

Mr. Beloat was married in February, 1873, to America Brumlield, of 
Vanderburg county, Indiana, daughter of David Berry Brumfield and Eliza- 
beth A. (Redmond) Brumfield, he a native of Vanderburg county. Indiana, 
and she of Warren county, Kentucky. The grandfather of Mrs. Beloat was 
Berry Brumfield, who came to Indiana in pioneer days and spent almost his 
entire life in this state. The father of Mrs. Beloat was a farmer who lived 
near Owensville and was a consistent church member and an honored citizen. 

To Mr. and Mrs. James E. Beloat has been born one child, Estrella, who 
is the wife of John Bryant, of Fort Branch. The subject and his wife occupy 
a nice residence in Haubstadt, where they are spending the evening of life in 
content, surrounded by friends and enjoying a well earned respite from the 
toils and cares of a busy and useful life. They are consistent members of the 
Presbyterian church, to which they contribute liberally of their means. 



ARTHUR PERRY TWINEHAM. 

Indiana has been especially honored in the character and career of her 
active men of public service and the professions. In every section have been 
found men born to leadership in the various vocations, men who have dom- 
inated because of their superior intelligence, natural endowment and force of 
character. It is always profitable to study such lives, weigh their motives and 
hold up their achievements as incentives to greater activity and higher ex- 
cellence on the part of others. These reflections are suggested by the career 
of one who has forged his way to the front ranks and who, by a strong in- 
herent force and superior ability, controlled by intelligence and right princi- 
ples, stands today as a leading man of his community and state. Mr. Twine- 
bam has an enviable reputation as a lawyer in a community noted for the 
high order of its legal talent, while as the representative of his community in 




ARTHUR P. TWINKII \M. 



GIBSON COUNTY, [NDIANA. 585 

the Legislature of his slate, he conducted himself with honor to his con- 
stituency. Success is methodical and consecutive, and Mr. Twineham's suc- 
cess has been attained by normal methods and means, the determined applica- 
tion of mental and physical resources along a rightly denned line. A self- 
made man in the truest sense of the term. Air. Twineham is eminently de- 
serving of representation in the annals of Gibson county. 

Arthur Perry Twineham is descended from sterling old Scotch-Irish 
parentage on his paternal side, and from excellent Pennsylvania Dutch stock 
on the maternal side, the striking qualities of both of which seem to have 
entered into his make-up. giving to him the many desirable characteristics 
which have helped him cheerfully over rough places in his struggles for suc- 
cess, which might well have discouraged one of less optimism. Mr. Twine- 
ham was born in Switzerland county, Indiana, .August 16, 1847. the son of 
William S. and Sarah Ann (Brant) Twineham. One other sun was horn to 
this union, Francis M., who died in Kansas twelve years ago, at the age of 
fifty years. Though the Twineham family, as above stated, is of Scotch- 
Irish descent, the name seems to be of English origin. The father of the 
subject, William S. Twineham, was born in Switzerland county, Indiana, in 
1823, and died in 1888. He lived in the same comity all his life. lie came 
from a family of tanners, which trade he also followed. The mother of the 
subject was a native of Franklin county. Indiana, horn in 1823 and died in 
1889. The grandfather of the subject was Arthur Twineham, a tanner, who 
was horn and passed his life in Switzerland county, Indiana. He married 
.Miss Johnson and reared a large family. His father, the great-grandfather 
of the subject of this sketch, was William Twineham, who came from Ken- 
tucky to Switzerland county, Indiana, in 1802. He was a merchant. His 
wife was a Stuart and they were the parents of a large family. The family 
name is still well known in Kentucky. 

\rthnr Perry Twineham received his elementary education in the 
country schools of Switzerland county and at the old Hartsville Academy in 
Bartholomew county. When a boy of fourteen. Mr. Twineham : in 

a woolen mill and from thai on has worked bis own way in life When only 
seventeen vears of age, he and a chum ran away from their homes to Ohio 
where, in 186-I. they enlisted in Company T. Fifth Ohio Cavalry. This was 
Kilpatrick's cavalry, which shared the hardships and later the honors of the 
famous march to the sea. He was mustered out of service July 1. 1865. 
After his services to his country were thus discharged, Mr, Twineham at- 
tended Wabash College at Crawfordsville, Indiana, for three years and was 



586 GIBSON COUNTY, INDIANA. 

graduated from the literarv department of Indiana University at Blooming- 
ton in 1870. For a short time he taught school at Rockville, Indiana, and 
also at Greenfield, Indiana. This was merely a stepping-stone for him, for 
soon he was received into the office of the Hun. Daniel Vorhees at Terre 
Haute, Indiana, where he took up the reading of law. He later attended 
Indiana University for training in his chosen profession, and also studied one 
year in St. Louis. He came to Princeton in November, [873, and has since 
made this place his home. From the very first he has taken an active interest 
in politics. 

Air. Twineham has been twice married. His first wife was Letta R. 
Behymer, a native of Switzerland county, by whom he had one daughter, 
Gertrude, wife of Dr. Charles A. French, of San Francisco, California. Airs. 
Twineham died July 23, 1890, and on November 1, 1894, lie took as his 
second wife Agnes Lockhart, of Princeton. Three children have been born 
to this union, Arthur Perry, Jr., aged eighteen, Charlotte, aged sixteen, and 
Mary Agnes, aged thirteen. 

Endowed by nature with such traits as make one a natural leader, Mr. 
Twineham has had heaped upon him such honors as his city and county can 
give, although he has never sought an office of any sort, and has discharged 
all duties to the satisfaction of his constituents. Air. Twineham has been 
city attorney, county attorney, and in 1884-5 served in the lower house of 
the Indiana Legislature. He was mayor of Princeton in 1907-8, resigning 
fn mi that office to fill the position of postmaster of Princeton, to which he 
was appointed by President Roosevelt. This position he held for 
four and one-half years. He was a delegate to the national convention in 
Chicago in 1888. at which Benjamin Harrison was nominated for the Presi- 
dency. He served as county chairman for the Republican party from 1878 
to 1882. and as district chairman of the first congressional district. He was 
a member of the Republican state committee from 1882 to r886 inclusive. 
From President Harrison he received an appointment to the Round Valley 
Indian commission and served in California in 1802. He was the, Republican 
nominee for Congress from the first district in 1892. but was defeated, and 
at the next convention at which his name was also mentioned, former Senator 
Hemenway received the greatest number of votes. Air. Twineham is the 
present commander of Archer Post No. 28, Grand Army of the Republic, of 
Princeton. 

Through the years of his residence in this locality, Air. Twineham has 
been true to every trust reposed in him, whether of a public, professional or 



GIBSON CO! \ n . i\m \x.\. 587 

private nature, and has commanded the respect of all who know him. 
Possessing a kindly ami genial disposition, he readily makes friends and is 
a very agreeable companion. Gibson county has been dignified by his life 
and achievements anil he is eminently deserving of this feeble tribute to his 
worth as a man and a lawyer and politician. 



MATTHEW WILM. 



In the daily laborious struggle for an honorable competence and a solid 
career on the part of the average agriculturist there is little to attract the 
casual reader in search of a sensational chapter; but to a mind thoroughly 
awake to the reality and meaning of human existence there are noble and 
imperishable lessons in the career of an individual who, without other means 
than a clear head, strong arm and true heart, directed and controlled by cor- 
rect principles and unerring judgment, conquers adversity ami. toiling on, 
finally wins not only pecuniary independence but, what is far greater and 
higher, the deserved respect and confidence of those with whom his active 
years have brought him in contact. Such a one is found in the person ot 
Matthew Wilm, successful farmer and the present efficient trustee oi Johnson 
township, Gibson county, Indiana. 

.Matthew Wilm was born March 27, [866, in Johnson township. Gibson 
county, the son of John Wilm, a native of the fatherland, having been born 
in the (own of Reiterswies. German). The subject's grandfather was also 
named John, and he emigrated to America in 1N57, with his family, locating 
near Evansville, Indiana, ami later moving to Gibson county in about [859 
i860, and taking up his residence in the town oi Haubstadt, where he lived 
the life of a retired fanner, dying 111 the sixty-fifth year of his 

John Wilm, father of the subject, first followed agricultural pursuits in 
his own behalf on a farm located about one-half mile west of Haubstadt. 
continuing in that location for four or live years, when he purchased land two 
miles wesl ot Haubstadt, where he spent the remainder of his days, his death 
resulting from typhoid fever in [882 in his forty-sixth year His untimely 
death in the prime of life was greatly deplored by the community in which 
he resided, for he had gained a position of prominence among his neighbors 
and was loved ami respected bj hi- fellow men. To the subject's parents 
were born four children, namely: Mar) and Magdalene are deceased: 
Matthew : fohn is a farmer in Johnson township. 



588 GIBSON COUNTY, INDIANA. 

Matthew Wilm spent his boyhood days in Johnson township, assisting in 
the work on the home place, and securing a good education in the public and 
parochial schools. When he attained to the age of twenty years he purchased 
a farm one mile south of Haubstadt and engaged in general agricultural pur- 
suits and stock raising, and by a course of wisely applied energy and judg- 
ment has increased his original holdings of eighty acres to two hundred and 
forty acres, all of which splendid farm is under a high state of cultivation. 
His home is one of the best and the outbuildings are modern and convenient. 

In 1908 Matthew Wilm was chosen by his fellow citizens as township 
trustee and he is still the efficient incumbent of that responsible office, his 
public acts having met the entire approval of his constituents. 

Mr. Wilm was married on October 12, 1886. to Bina Greubel, of John- 
son township, daughter of Adam Greubel, a native of Germany. This union 
has been blessed by the birth of nine children, namely: Margaret is the wife 
of Benjamin Oing, of Johnson township; Frank, Lonie, John, Magdalene, 
Matthew, Lizzie. Raymond and Lucille are at home. 

Mr. Wilm and his wife are devout members of St. James Catholic 
church, to which they contribute liberally of their means, displaying a deep 
interest in the manv worthy benevolences of that parish. 



JAMES R. MONTGOMERY, M. D. 

Among those who stand as distinguished types of the world's workers 
is the gentleman whose name appears at the head of this paragraph, who is 
one of the able and honored physicians and surgeons of southern Indiana. 
A man of fine intellectual and professional attainments, of most gracious 
personality, of strong and noble character, and one who has labored with 
zeal and devotion in the alleviation of human suffering, he is clearly en- 
titled to representation among the progressive and enterprising citizens of 
Gibson county, Indiana. He is devoted to his chosen calling and has lent 
honor and dignity to the medical profession, having due regard for the 
highest standard of professional ethics and exhibiting marked skill in the 
treatment of disease. 

James R. Montgomery, one of the most prominent physicians and sur- 
geons of this county, was born September 16, 1879, in Gibson county, and 
is the son of Samuel Newton and Melissa (Redman) Montgomery. Samuel 
Montgomery is also a native of this county and has been a prominent farmer 
of his community all his life. He is now retired and lives at Cvnthiana. 



GIBSON COUNTY, INDIANA. 589 

Mrs. Samuel Montgomery was a native of Posey county, this state, and 
died on December 26, 1913. They were the parents of live children: Otis 
L. ; James R., the immediate subject of this sketch: Ruby, who married 
Willis E. Roe, an attorney of East Chicago, and they have two children, 
Fern and Luella; David Wilbur married Ethel Williams, and is a dentist at 
Evansville, Indiana ; Essie, deceased. 

Doctur Montgomery spent his boyhood days on the home farm, secui 
his elementary education in the common schools of his neighborhood and 
in the high school at Owensville. lie continued bis education in Valparaiso 
University, graduating from that institution with the degree of B. S. in 
[898. Alter teaching school two years in his home township, he entered 
the College of Physicians and Surgeons at Chicago, in the fall of [900, and 
took the four years course of that institution, graduating in the spring of 
1904. Throughout his whole college course he took advantage of every 
opportunity and finished his medical course with honor to himself. Imme- 
diately upon his graduation he returned to Owensville and entered upon the 
active practice of his profession. 

I loctor Montgomery was married August 25, 1905, to Cora A. Know 
the daughter of Isaac and Martha (Cantrell) Knowles. Her father was a 
native of this county and followed the occupation of a farmer all bis life. 
Ilis death occurred in February, 1907. Mrs. Montgomery's mother was 
also a native of this county, and is still living on the old home place. They 
were the parents of six children. Mrs. Ada Gardner, whose husband is 
deceased, and who was married again to Joseph Davis, of Owensville, In- 
diana; Miss Lere Knowles; Cora A., the subject's wife; Roy and Loy, 
twins, and Luther, deceased. To Doctor and Mrs Montgomery has been 
born one child, Arvid N. 

Politically, Doctor Montgomery is a Republican, but has never soughl 
any public preferment from his party, being content to devote all of his 
time and attention to his constantly increasing practice. lie is a quiet. 
unassuming man, and is rapidly building up a large practice in this county. 

broad human sympathy, technical ability and skill are placing him in 
the front rank of general practitioners in this section of the county. Xo 
one can measure the beneficent influence ol good physicians, for their re- 
markable power goes hand in band with the wonderful laws ,,f nature that 
spring from the very source of life itself. Doctor Montgomery is true 1 
his profession, and earnest in his effort to enlarge bis sphen of usefulness 
and therefore he is a benefactor to all of his fellow citizens, for him they 
trust their safety, their comfort and. in many instances, their very lives. 



590 GIBSON COUNTY, INDIANA. 

WILLIAM H. PRITCHETT. 

It is at all times very interesting to compile and preserve the experiences 
of the old soldiers who went to fight their country's battles during the slave- 
holders' rebellion of sixty years ago. These gallant old fellows are fast 
passing away, and we should get all of their experiences first hand, before 
they pass away and leave no record. It is important that we preserve these 
personal experiences, for after all those are the events which make history. 
What would history be worth were it not for the vivid actions of the indi- 
viduals? That is all there is to the splendid histories of ancient and modern 
times. The story as told by one who passed through the bloody experiences 
of four years of struggle and was in numerous battles, marches, campaigns, 
and. perhaps, prisons and hospitals, is far more interesting tban if narrated 
long hence by some writer who may distort events out of their true historic 
significance. One of the honored "boys in blue" who can recall many inter- 
esting reminiscences of the great civil conflict of the sixties is William H. 
Pritchett. who. after a successful life as a farmer, is now living retired in the 
town of Fort Branch, Gibson county, Indiana. 

William H. Pritchett was born December 9, 1837, at Lanesville, near 
Xew Albany, in Harrison county, Indiana, the son of John L. and Mary 
(Jones) Pritchett. John L. Pritchett came to the Hoosier state in an early 
day and was married while a young man to the subject's mother. After her 
death, he married his deceased wife's sister, Margaret, and later moved to 
Patoka township, Gibson county, where he engaged in farming the remainder 
of his days, dying here at the age of seventy-six years. He was a man of 
industry and integrity, and was highly respected in the community where he 
resided. 

On the removal of the family to Gibson county the subject of this re- 
view went to Terre Haute, Indiana, to work. However, the call soon came 
ringing through the land for volunteers to tight in the great war between the 
states, and Mr. Pritchett enlisted in Company B, Seventy-first Indiana 
Volunteer Infantry, Colonel Toppin, of Terre Haute, being in command of 
the regiment and Captain McKinney of the company when mustered out. 
Being mustered in at Indianapolis, the body of troops was sent to Richmond, 
Kentucky, where it was engaged in the struggle before that place in opposi- 
tion to Gen. Kirbv Smith. In this, their first engagement, they were 
defeated, being outnumbered almost seven to one. The soldiers of this regi- 
ment, together with those of other regiments, were taken prisoners, but in 



GIBSON COUNTY, INDIANA. ;ijl 

the darkness of that night the subject and a comrade named William Hansel. 
from New Goshen, crawled through the weeds and made their escape. Elud- 
ing the Confederate sentries, they remained concealed in the \\ Is until day- 
break, when they struck a pike road and started for Lexington, which they 
reached thai : Their regiment lost two hundred and fifty men in this 
battle. General Smith being unable to take the prisoners with him, they v 
pan iled and all returned to Indianapolis in order to recruit, where they were 
reorganized as the Sixth Indiana Volunteer Cavalry, under command of 
Colonel Biddle, Colonel Topping having been killed and Captain McKinney 
mustered out. Proceeding immediately to Nashville, Tennessee, they joined 

General Sherman's command and took up the pursuit of 11 1 as far as 

Atlanta, from where Mr. Pritchett's regiment went to Macon, Georgia, and 
destroyed the bridge and railroad, tearing up the track for a distance of some 
five miles below Macon. Hen the) had expected to join General McCook, 
but his force had been so badl) cut up by the Confederates that he missed 
connections, so that the subject's command, on attempting to rejoin the main 
body of Sherman's column, was surrounded by the enemy and taken pri- 
ers. .Mr. Pritchett had previously been promoted to the rank of sergeant, 
and was in command of twenty-five men engaged in this hazardous task of 
cutting the lines of communication. Many were taken prisoners, hut the 
subject was among the few who were fortunate enough to escape. Being in 
the enemy's country, it was a case of every one looking out tor himself. 
Mr. Pritchett struck out for Colonel Adams' regiment, the First Kentucky. 
and on rinding them joined Company F and went with this regiment to Mari- 
etta. Georgia, where he rejoined his old command, the First Kentucky's 
term of enlistment having expired at that time. They again -tailed in 
pursuit of Hood, General Sherman's command starting on its famous "march 
to the sea." They took part in the fight at Franklin, Tennessee, where they 
foughl until dark, killing a greal many of the enemy. They then retired into 

Nashville, General II 1 following, and in the battle which ensued the 

Union forces were victorious, hut the subject's regiment, having been dis- 
mounted, was unable to again take up the pursuit of Hood Returning to 
Pulaski, Mr. Pritchett was honorably discharged as a sergeant, and later 
mustered i 'lit at [ndianap< ilis 

Returning to Terre Haute, the scene of his former labors, Mr. Pritchett 
engaged in mining, following that vocation for some years, and then removed 
to Gibson county, where he took up farming and followed it until his retire- 
ment. 



59 2 GIBSON COUNTY, INDIANA. 

W. H. Pritchett was married three times, his first wife having been 
Indiana Pursell, and to them were born two children, John W., who is in the 
telephone and telegraph business, and Gertrude, deceased. After the death 
of his first wife Mr. Pritchett was united in marriage to Martha Funkhauser, 
and to this union were born two children, Medie, who lives in Union town- 
ship, and James Calvin, of Clinton, Indiana. The mother of these children 
having passed away, Mr. Pritchett was married to his present wife, who was 
Jessie Reed, and they are the parents of four children, Agnes, Jerry, Hovey 
and Floyd. 

The subject is an honored member of Steven Meade Post No. 187, 
Grand Army of the Republic. 



LYCURGUS L. KERN. 



For many years the subject of this brief biographical review has occu- 
pied a very conspicuous place among the agriculturists of Gibson count}. 
His career has been that of an honorable, enterprising and progressive man, 
whose well-rounded character has also enabled him to take an active interest 
in social and moral affairs and to keep well informed concerning the moment- 
ous questions affecting the nation. In all life's relations he has commanded 
the respect and confidence of those with whom he has come in contact, and 
his upright life has been an inspiration to the many friends who know him 
well and are familiar with his virtues. 

Lycurgus L. Kern was born February 18, 1839, at Cynthiana, Posey 
county, Indiana, the son of Nicholas and Mary (Boyle) Kern. The father 
was a native of Pennsylvania and came to Indiana in pioneer times, engaging 
in teaching nearly all his days, he being a scholarly man and one who com- 
manded the respect and admiration of his fellow men. He died in Putnam 
county while the subject was young, Lycurgus Kern being his only child. 

After securing such education as could be obtained in the primitive 
schools of those days, the subject learned the tinner's trade, and engaged in 
this vocation until about twenty-six years ago, when he became interested in 
the coal business. He has also to some extent engaged in agriculture, being 
the owner of one hundred and sixty acres of good land in Patoka township, 
three miles from the town, which his son Joseph rents and cultivates. 

In 1865 Mr. Kern was united in the holv bonds of matrimony to Joan- 




Lvcriicrs i. kern. 



GIBSON COUNTY, [NDIANA. 593 

etta Wallace, daughter of Thomas Wallace, who also was numbered among 
the sturdy pioneers "l" this section of the state. Thomas Wallace, who was a 
farmer and miller, is now deceased. To the union of the subject and wife 
have been born eight children, namely: Ella; Joseph X., as l« fori men- 
tioned, runs the home farm; Emma I.., who is living at home, is employed 
as a clerk in Gilbert's store; .Marie married a Mr. Bucklin ami lives in Prince- 
ton; Anna, who was the wife of Ned Holbrook, is deceased; Curtis is de- 
ceased; Jesse has succeeded to the coal business formerly run by the subject; 
Edith married John Gibson. 

Mr. Kern was a member of the hand connected with the Fifty-eighth 
Regiment Indiana Volunteer Infantry during the dark days of the Civil war. 
He attempted enlistment three different times, but on each occasion was 
rejected ot» account of bad eyesight, so he finalh got into the sen ice by join- 
ing the band. He served with this organization during 1861 and 1862, a 
his persistency in the efforts he made to join the Union army and his eventual 
accomplishment of that desire is but an example of his tenacity id" purpose 
and faithfulness to ideals which has made him so successful in the battle of 
life. 

Fraternally. Mr. Kern is a faithful and appreciative member of the 
Independent Order of Odd Fellows, while his family are attendants on the 
services of the United Presbyterian church. Mr. Kern takes an abiding 
interest in whatever tends to advance the interests of his community, and be- 
cause of his honesty and habits of strict attention to his business affairs, 
together with his neighborly friendliness. In- is held in popular favor, as is 
.also each member of his familv. 



JOHN M WCRl/M. 



As long as history endures will the American nation acknowledge its 
indebtedness to the heroes who, between r86) and [865, fought for the 
preservation of the Union and the honor of that starry banner which has 
never been trailed in the dusl in a single pol< mic struggle in which the country 
has been involved. Among those whose military records as valiant soldiers 
in the war of the Rebellion reflect lasting honor upon them and their des- 
cendants is the gentleman whose name forms the caption for this paragraph. 
lie is a well known citizen of Gibson county, where he has long maintained 
(38) 



594 GIBSON COUNTY, INDIANA. 

his home and won an honored name by virtue of his consistency to truth, 
honesty and right living. Therefore he is eminently qualified for a place in 
the present work. 

John Mangrum was born January 9, 1842, in old Johnson township, Gib- 
son county, Indiana, the son of Trafton Mangrum, of Johnson township, and 
Eunice (Boren) Mangrum. of the same locality. The subject's grandfather, 
William Mangrum, came from Lynchburg, Virginia, to Indiana in 1816. at 
that date there being but two log cabins on the site of the present city of 
Evansville, William Mangrum helping to saw the first lumber sawed in that 
city. He took up government land about three miles west of Haubstadt and, 
clearing: awav the dense timber, built a home. In addition to his labor on his 
land he was engaged in the freighting business, driving a six-horse team be- 
tween Evansville, Vincennes and other points. The maternal ancestors were 
also pioneer settlers, they having located about a half mile west of the land 
entered by the grandfather. The maternal grandfather was John Boren, 
who was born in Tennessee. 

William Mangrum and wife reared a large family, his death occurring 
in his fifty-seventh year. Some of his children settled near the homestead, 
one of them, however, going to Iowa. The subject's father got a place of his 
own in Johnson township in what was then and is now known as Froggery. 
He continued to reside there until his death, at which time he was seventy- 
one years and seven months old. One of the successful men of his neighbor- 
hood, active in church and school matters, he was a good citizen in every sense 
of the term. Of a family of six children, one died at the age of twenty-two. 
one at twenty-three and one at the age of two years. The three now living 
are: John; Caroline, the widow of W. F. Martin, of Cynthiana, Posey county, 
Indiana: James T. lives at Haubstadt. 

The boyhood days of the subject of this review were spent in attending 
school in the primitive log educational institutions of those day^ and in assist- 
ing his parents in the cultivation of the farm. On President Lincoln's call for 
troops to defend the Union, he enlisted, on August 16. 1862, in Company F, 
Eightieth Indiana Volunteer Infantry, under Colonel Brooks and Capt. R. J. 
Showers, being mustered into the service at Princeton, Indiana, on September 
8, 1862. After remaining at the mustering point a few days, the regiment 
was ordered to proceed to Covington, Kentucky, via Indianapolis, that place 
being threatened by Gen. Kirby Smith. Stopping at Covington for a week or 
more without getting sight of the enemy, the force proceeded to Louisville, 
Kentucky, and joined the army under General Buell. October 1st they joined 
in what was known as the Bragg-Buell campaign, and on the 8th of that 



GIBSON COUNTY, INDIANA. 595 

month took part in their firsl engagement al Perrysville, Kentucky, where the 
divisions of Jackson and McCook bore the brunt of the fighting, Mr. Mangrum 
being in Jackson's division. During tins engagement General Jackson and 
the brigade commander. Colonel Webster, were killed and the regiment lost 
one hundred and fifty killed and wounded. Bragg retreated that night, and 
the troops following drove him out of Kentucky. The command with which 
the subject was enlisted remained in Kentucky and had a number of skir- 
mishes with General Morgan's cavalry. On August 18th the regiment left 
Kentucky and, with General Burnsides' army, marched across the Cumber- 
land mountains into the state of Tennessee and occupied Kingsville and Knox- 
ville. An active campaign followed, and on October 7th they took part in 
the battle of Kingston, and in January, 1863. they were engaged at Mossy 
Creek with .Morgan's old command and with Wheeler's cavalry, the Union 
arms being triumphant in this battle From this time on until the spring of 
1864 they were busily engaged, marching and lighting almost continually, 
skirmishes being of almost daily occurrence, and. as the subject has remarked, 
"fighting was more regular than meals." In the spring of 1864 the regiment 
left Tennessee with the Twenty-third Army Corps, under General Scofield, 
and joined General Sherman's army. They went into camp at Red Clay, 
Georgia, and on the 9th of May went in the direction of Dalton and took 
part in all of the important engagements from Dalton to Atlanta, including 
Resaca, Kenesaw Mountain, Peach Tree Creek and all the fights before At- 
lanta. At the battle of Resaca the subject's regiment went into the engage- 
ment with four hundred and forty-eight men in line, and in a few minutes 
lost two hundred and forty-eight killed or wounded. Mr. Mangrum being 
among those disabled, lie was first sent to the field hospital and then to 
Chattanooga, where he remained two days, then to Nashville and placed upon 
the hospital boat on which he was removed to New Albany. Indiana, from 
which place he was. after six weeks, transferred to Evansville. After re- 
maining at Evansville for a time, he recovered sufficiently to rejoin his com- 
mand at Columbia, Tennessee, and subsequently took part in the battles at 
Franklin, Spring Hill and Nashville. After the battle of Nashville they 
drove Flood's force back into Alabama. \fter being sent to Washington to 
be refitted, they were ordered to Smithville, North Carolina, and then up the 
Cape Fear river, where they captured Fort \nderson and drove the Con- 
federates on to Wilmington Joining Sherman's army at Goldsboro, they pro- 
ceeded to Raleigh. North Carolina, where they witnessed the surrender of 
Johnson. From this point the subject was sent to Salisbury, North Carolina, 



-'.»> GIBSON COUNTY, INDIANA. 

where he was honorably discharged and mustered out at a place within two 
miles of the birthplace of his maternal grandmother Boren. Returning to 
Indianapolis, he was given his final discharge. 

On September i, 1864, Mr. Mangrum was married to Mary E. Muck, 
of Harrison county, Indiana, the daughter of John and Ursula Muck, pioneers 
of Harrison count)', who afterward removed to Gibson county. To this union 
were born five children, namely : Ella C. married Rev. M. W. Clark, of 
Ladoga, Indiana; Oscar A. lives in Dallas, Texas; W. V. resides in New 
Harmony, Indiana; Pearl M. married Lasalle Bryant and lives in Fort 
Branch; Carl W. lives at Princeton, Indiana. 

The subject was actively engaged in farming until 1909, when he sold 
his place and he is now living in honorable retirement. Mr. Mangrum and 
wife are enjoying the best of health and take enjoyment in the si icial activities 
of their many friends. On September 1, 1914, they will celebrate their 
golden wedding anniversary. Mr. Mangrum has efficiently served his county 
as commissioner two terms, is secretary of Company F, Eightieth Indiana 
Infantry organization, which position he has held for thirty years, and is 
an active member of the First Christian church, of Haubstadt, having served 
as superintendent of its Sunday school for the past eight years and been 
leader of the choir for nine years. He is also a member of Steven Mead Post, 
Grand Army of the Republic, occupying the position of adjutant of that 
body. Fraternally, Mr. Mangrum has been a member of the Independent 
Order of Odd Fellows for thirty-five years. He has always been a Repub- 
lican and has always taken a good deal of interest in local public affairs. 



W. G. HOPKINS. M. D. 



The medical man of today must needs be more than the medical man of 
a half century ago, even a decade past. He must be broader and more intelli- 
gent ; his sympathies must be more diverse, and his ideals must be placed high. 
The doctor of years past, if he practiced his profession for a length of time, 
reached a limit of excellence, not of his own accord, but by reason oi the 
restrictions of medical science; and to prove this statement, it might he well 
to quote the words of Dr. Paul Ehrlich, the noted German scientist, who said 
"that more had been done, and more had been discovered, in the science of 
medicine during the past twenty years than in the past century." Specializa- 
tion has become necessarv ; the theory of toxins and anti-toxins, serums, the 



GIBSON COUNTY, INDIANA. 597 

siudy "I" bacteria and methods of combating th> d< tractive fore and 
many other things, have made the range of medical science almosl beyond 
one man's power of learning in the brief space of time which is his allot- 
ment 1 m earth. True it is thai the doctor of the pasl endured more hardships, 
received smaller remuneration, and in main other ways deserves credit for 
his pioneer work, but the present physician is a specialist, an expert diagnos- 
tician, an idealist striving for the prevention of di ither than the curing, 
amoral doctor as well as physical, and a man who does not confine his talents 
to his one profession, bnl exhibits his powers among the other works of man. 
In this day the labor a man undergoes is not counted, it is the result of his 
labor alone by which he is measured — his productive powers. 

This is not laudation nor encomium, but a slight effort to picture the class 
of men who deserve even more praise, men of which class are living and 
working today in Gibson county, as well as in other parts of the world. The 
subject of this sketch is Dr. W. G. Hopkins, of Fort Branch, this count}', a 
man well suited to the words which have been written above, not only because 
he has made a marked success in his chosen profession, but because he has 
given his thought and energy to other things, which may be better described 
in the course of the following brief narrative of his life. 

VV. G. Hopkins was born August 1. 1844, in Middleton, Wayne county. 
Illinois, and was the son of Capt C. C. and Beulah 1 Huddleston) Hopkins. 
The father was from near Hopkinsville, Kentucky, and the mother was a 
native of Alton. Illinois. The subject's paternal grandfather was named 
John Hopkins. 

Capt. C. C. Hopkins engaged, in agriculture during his early life and in 
[856 was elected a member of the Illinois Legislature on the Democratic 
ticket. However, in i860, he renounced his affiliation with that party and 
supported Abraham Lincoln in the significant campaign of thai year. At the 
opening of hostilities in [860 between the North and the South he was com- 
missioned a lieutenant, later being promoted to the captaincy of In- company. 
which was a part of the Fortieth Illinois Volunteer Infantry, llis command 
look part in a number of important engagements and at the battle <^i Shiloh 
he received a wound in the neck. The records of the war department at 
Washington make specific mention of his braver) as a soldier. After being 
honorably discharged from the sendee he retired to his farm and was ap- 
a deputy provo 1 marshal, a position which, owing to the peculiar 
conditions existing at that time, caused him to make many hitter enemies 
among the elemenl Opposed to law and order. It is related that on one oc- 
casion he. in company with a few soldiers belonging to Captain Parker's 



598 GIBSON COUNTY, INDIANA. 



C 



•ompanv. went down to Wayne county, Illinois, in the bottom of a little 
river called "The Skillet Fork," where some Southern sympathizers had built 
a fort named Fort Shipley. Captain Hopkins sent one of his soldiers to 
demand their surrender and they agreed to do so. They were then taken 
prisoners, but owing to the feeling aroused over his having broken up the 
fort, Captain Hopkins was shot to death.. This occurred in the year 1865. 
After fourteen years' search the subject and his brother. Wesley, located the 
man who fired the shot, finding him in Missouri. Taking along a deputy 
sheriff, they surprised him in bed and captured him without resistance, bring- 
ing him through to Middleton, Illinois, where neighbors helped guard him 
all night, he being placed in the county jail the next day. and subsequently 
tried and sentenced to the penitentiary for a period of fourteen to twenty- 
one years. 

To the subject's parents were burn five sun-- and five daughters, namely: 
Wesley, the eldest son. served three years in the Fortieth Illinois Volunteer 
Infantry, when he was honorably discharged owing to an injury to his foot; 
John M. was a second lieutenant in Company I, Fortieth Illinois Volunteer 
Infantry, later reaching the rank of sergeant-major. He met his death 111 a 
boat which was burned by the Confederates at Vicksburg; Charles C. was a 
private and was killed in the battle of Shiloh; Elvira, deceased, was the wife 
of John H. Barnes, of St. Louis. Missouri; Hester Ann is the wife of James 
Alexander, also of St. Louis: Saleta, deceased, was the wife of Edward 
Flint of St. Louis; Sonora, deceased, was the wife of Doctor Trowsdale of 
St. Louis; an infant, deceased: Thomas S. was a physician, a graduate of 
Bellevue Hospital Medical College, New York City, and he died at Ridge- 
wav. Illinois, in the fall of [882; the subject of this review was fourth in 
order of birth. 

\Y. G. Hopkins received his elementary education in the common schools 
of Middleton. In the spring of 1865 be enlisted in the One Hundred and 
Thirty-sixth Illinois Volunteer Infantry, under Colonel Johns and Capt. 
John Burke, being assigned to Company I', of that regiment. This made the 
fifth member of this family to enter the service of their country, his father 
and three brothers having preceded him. He joined his regiment at Cen- 
tralia, Illinois, and while the command was engaged in no great battles, they 
participated in a number oi skirmishes. After receiving an honorable dis- 
charge at the close of the war. Doctor Hopkins returned to the home farm. 
where he remained for about a year, and then took up the study of medicine 
with Dr. W. S. A. Cox in Belle City. Hamilton county, Illinois. The Doc- 
tor then attended the Evansville Medical College, graduating there. Then, 



GIBSON COUNTY, INDIANA. 599 

in company with his brother Thomas, he took a course at Bellevue Hospital 
Medical College in New York City, both graduating from that institution in 
1882. Previous to this time the Doctor had practiced at Ridgeway, [llinois, 
and about 1877 he located at Fori Branch, Gibson county, Indiana, where he 
has since continued and has built up a large and lucrative practice. Doctor 
Hopkins is a member of the White River District, the 1 >hio Valley and the 
Gibson County medical societies. Being a member of the county soci< 
he is naturally affiliated with the State Medical Society. 

Doctor Hopkins was married to Emma Porter, daughter of Capt. Brax- 
ton Porter, of Kentucky, and to this union have been burn the following chil- 
dren: Willard T. graduated from the Fort Branch high school, after which 
he attended Indiana University at Bloomington, then taking up the study of 
law in St. Louis. Graduating from the law school, he opened an office in 
Princeton, Indiana, where he had a most promising outlook, when he was 
cut off in the prime of life by appendicitis. lie wr;s highly respected by his 
fellow members of the bar. as well as by the citizens of Princeton, and the 
bar association passed resolutions on his death, calling attention to his worthy 
life and works; Stella is deceased and Mabel is residing at home. 

The subject owns an excellent farm of eight} acres east of Fort Branch. 
The ground is in an excellent state of cultivation, typical of the best farms 
of Gibson county. The subject has long' taken an intelligent interest in the 
breeding of blooded stock, specializing in standard bred trotting and pac 
horses. \t the present time he is owner of "Klatawah," race record 2:05 _ 
at three years old, which is the world's record for a pacing stallion: "Strong- 
wood," the sire of over seventy in the list; "Jay Bool," which is also a great 
speed sire. Ml of these horses have national reputatio 

Doctor Hopkins is a loyal member 'if the Grand Army of the Republic, 
and was a member of the United States pension board at Princeton for four- 
teen vears. Fraternally, he is an appreciative member of the Independent 
( )rder of < >dd Fellows. 

\.s a promoter of public enterprises for the good of Gibson county. 
Doctor Hopkins has displayed unusual interest and has devoted much time. 

lie has aptly and rightly been called "the father of g I roads" in Gibson 

county, due to his efforts in behalf of improved highways. Long before 
there was an improved road in the county, he was, by word of mouth and 
with his trenchant pen. spreading the gospel of progress in tin's line. 

In literary work the Doctor has also "won his spurs." He is an able 
writer, and his forceful, virile style is well known to Gibson count) and 



600 GTBSON COUNTY, INDIANA. 

Indiana readers. He writes not only from a fund of knowledge, but upon 
his -iron- views regarding the current issues of the day. For instance, in 
the last two Presidential campaigns the Doctor has contributed many articles 
to the different newspapers throughout the country, Mime of his best and 
strongest being on the subject of protective tariff, a subject about which he has 
some very decided views. Dr. Hopkins is a Republican of the "first water," 
and in the face of adversity, as in November, 1912, buckles on his armor 
and fights all the harder. So, it is not strange that his fellows hold his 
name in respect and that his reputation is high as doctor, soldier, farmer and 
writer. And so the value of versatility is proved. 



J. W. KURTZ. 

An enumeration of the representative citizens of Gibson county who 
have won recognition and success for themselves and at the same time con- 
ferred honor upon the community dignified by their citizenship, would be 
decidedly incomplete were there failure to make specific mention of the popu- 
lar gentleman whose name initiates this review, who has long held worthy 
prestige in business and social circles and has always been distinctively a man 
of affairs. He wields a wide influence among those with whom his lot has 
been cast, ever having the affairs of his county at heart and doing whatever 
he could to aid the general development of his native locality, thereby deserv- 
ing the applause which is today accorded him by all classes. 

T. W. Kurtz was born in Gibson count}-. January 5. 1848, the son of 
William and E. I. ( Arbuthnot ) Kurtz. The father was born in Lancaster, 
Pennsylvania, in 1818, and emigrated to the state of Indiana in early days. 
locating first at Vincennes, later at Patoka and then at Princeton. Gibson 
count}-, where he worked in the newspaper business and took an active inter- 
est in political affairs, serving as auditor of the county for ten years and as a 
member of the school board for eighteen years. He was a public-spirited 
man, being allied with the Democratic party until the outbreak of the Civil 
war. at which time he transferred his allegiance to the Republican party, later 
in life, however, voting independently. To the subject's parents were born 
nine children, of whom three are yet living, namely: Joseph is residing in 
Princeton: Clara married S. F. Brazelton, who is a township trustee: and 
I. W. 




HENRY KURTZ. 



RIBSON COUNTY, INDIANA. 6oi 

After J. W. Kurtz had completed Ins early education, acquired in the 
common schools, he clerked in a grocery store for aboul a year and then 
worked in a printing for about the same length of time, al the end of 

which period he went into the grocery and fancy goods busine and was so 
engaged from December i, 18O4, until 1895. In the latter year Air. Kurtz 
took up the real estate and insurance business, which he still continues and in 
which he has been eminently successful. lie handles the local business for 
some of the strongest and most reliable companies in the country, among 
them being the Fidelity-Phenix Insurance Company of New York, the 
Liverpool and London and the Globe Companies, the Germania hire Insur- 
ance Company of New York, the Connecticut hire Insurance Company of 
Hartford, the Queen Fire Insurance Company of America, and others equally 
as well known. In his real estate business he has confined his operations to 
city and count)- property. 

In October, [878, Mr. Kurtz was united in marriage to Ophelia C. 
Baldwin, daughter of Reuben and Nancy (Harper) Baldwin, Reuben Bald- 
win being a well known old settler and merchant of Gibson county. To the 
subject and wife have been born two children: Fred B. is a physician and 
lives in Indianapolis; Ralph I',. is in business with his father. 

Never being ambitious to become an officeholder. Air. Kurtz has con- 
tented himself in the exercise of his franchise in the interests of the Repub- 
lican party and Iefl the oftentimes intemperate scramble for public office to 
those so inclined. 

His present residence is a commodious and comfortable one ami it is 
situated on the lot on which stood the house in which he was born. 



GEORGF D. SEITZ. 



Holding distinctive prestige among the leading business men of Haub- 
■ it. Gibson county, Indiana, and standing out clear and distinct as one oi 
the public-spirited citizens of his community, George 1>. Seitz has achieved 
an honorable record as an enterprising, self-made man, who from a modest 
beginning and by his own undivided efforts has worked his way to a position 
of affluence and influence in the commercial world. His life has been one ol 
unceasing industry and perseverance and the systematic and honorable meth- 
which he has ever pursued have gained for him the unbounded confidence 



6o2 GIBSON COUNTY, INDIANA. 

and esteem of his fellow men and a permanent place among those to whose 
energy, sound judgment and superior foresight the town of Haubstadt is so 
largely indebted for its advancement. 

George D. Seitz was born in the fatherland in the month of June. 1852, 
the son of John Seitz, who emigrated to America in i860, later bringing his 
family to this country. He located in New York city, and soon afterwards 
enlisted in the Federal arm}', from which time all trace of him has been lost. 
The subject of this sketch was placed in an orphanage for a time, and was 
then sent west to the state of Indiana, where he was reared, working at 
farm labor until he reached the age of eighteen, at which time he took em- 
ployment with a railroad company which was afterward merged with the 
Chicago & Eastern Illinois. While in the service of this railroad in the 
capacity of brakeman, the subject was so unfortunate as to lose a leg, the acci- 
dent occurring while he was engaged in switching in the yards at Princeton. 
The railroad company gave him employment, as soon as he was able to again 
take up active work, as agent, he being the first agent of the company at Haub- 
stadt, assuming the duties and responsibilities of that position in 1874 and 
continually serving in that capacity for eighteen years. 

In 1892 Mr. Seitz resigned as agent and engaged in business for himself, 
opening up a lumber yard, the first in the community. He was married, on 
March 14, 1875, to Nioma J. Ott, of Carlisle, Indiana, the daughter of John 
Ott, one of the representative citizens of that place. This union has been 
blessed by the birth of three children, namely: Amy Grace is the wife of 
Joseph Tenbarg, of Haubstadt, who is in business with his father-in-law ; 
Sophia Florence is the wife of Frank Riffert, of Haubstadt, and Dora K. is 
living at home. 

By a course of methodical industry and upright dealing, Mr. Seitz has 
steadily increased the volume of his business, to which he has added a saw- 
mill and a planing-mill. He handles a large amount of southern lumber, 
some from the state of Washington, and also saws quite a large amount of 
native timber. The mills and large lumber sheds are located conveniently 
adjoining the railroad track, affording splendid shipping facilities. They 
are located with an eye to decreasing fire hazard, and in every respect are 
absolutelv up to date in construction and equipment. Located near his busi- 
ness is the subject's fine modern residence, surrounded by a large and well- 
kept lawn, in which Mr. Seitz takes justifiable pride. 

The subject of this biography was one of the prime movers in the erec- 
tion of the Christian church, it being the first Protestant church in the town- 
ship, and he has always taken an active part in its growth and upkeep. He is 



GIBSON COUNTY, INDIANA. 603 

proud of the fact that since its construction in 1904 he has missed but four 
services and these were on account of illness or being absent from the town. 
Along with his other activities, the subject is vice-president of the Bank of 
Haubstadt, and has had a large part in the development of thai staunch 
financial institution. 

For thirty years the subject lias been a faithful and appn member 

of the Independent Order of Odd Fellows, and is also affiliated with the Tribe 
of Ben-Hur. In every phase of his activities he has established a reputation 
for being a good, clean, upright citizen, and his friends are in number as his 
acquaintances. 



SAMUEL HAMILTON WEST. 

One of the most difficult literary tasks is to write an unexceptionable 
review of a living man. If the life is worthy of record there is always danger 
of offending that delicacy which is inseparable from merit: for even moderate 
praise, when it meets the eyes of its subject, is apt to seem fulsome, while a 
nice sense of propriety would not be the less wounded by a dry abstract 1 
taining nothing but names and dates. To sum up a career which is not yet 
ended would appear like recording events which have not yet transpired, since 
justly to estimate the scope and meaning of a history it is important that we 
have tin' closing chapter. In writing a biographical notice, therefore, the 
chronicler from the moment he takes up his pen should consider the subject 
as 110 longer among his contemporaries, for thus will he avoid the fear of 
offending by bestowing praise where it is merited and escape the risk 
giving but a fragmentary view of that which must eventually be taken as a 
unit. At some risk, therefore, the writer assumes the task of placing on record 
the life and character of a man. who, by the force of strong individuality, has 
achieved eminent success in the vocations to which he has addressed himsell 
and has won for himself an enviable place among the leading men of the 
city and count)- honored by his citizenship. 

Samuel Hamilton West was born in Johnson township, Gibson county, 
Indiana, July 8, 1861, the son of Samuel !l. West, born in the same township 
and county in 1820 and died in [898, and Catherine 1 Sidle 1 West, a nal 
of Meadville. Pennsylvania. The subject's grandfather, James West, came 
to Indiana from near Nashville, Tennessee, early in the nineteenth century and 
was one of the settlers in the Rappists' colony at \ew Harmony, but becom- 
ing dissatisfied after about a year, he removed to Gibson county, where he 



GIBSON COUNTY. INDIANA. 

was one of the pioneers, lie was a man of devout religious convictions and 
was active in the organization of the first Methodist church. He was a suc- 
cessful and honored man in his community, rearing a family and giving them 
as good an education as the limited school facilities of that time afforded. 
His death occurred in his seventieth year. 

The subject's father. Samuel H. West, Sr., early in life displayed the 
energy and ambition which brought him such marked success later in life. 
At the age of fifteen, not being satisfied with the home in which the family 
was living, lie went into the forest, cleared away the timber, cut and hewed 
the logs and erected a new home, which was occupied by the family for over 
half a century. He then proceeded to clear a place and erected a home for 
himself, and on its completion he married and brought his bride to the new 
home. However, after a few years, he built what was considered an excep- 
tionally fine house in those days. His was an active life, spent in work of 
great benefit to his fellow men. Very devout in his religious life, he was a 
pillar and charter member of the Methodist Episcopal church at Fort Branch, 
in which town he spent his declining years. He took quite an interest in 
educational matters, his children receiving the best that could be secured in 
the schools of those early days. 

To Samuel H. West. Sr.. and wife were .born eight children, namely: 
Louisa, who married N. II. Dorsey, of Oakland City, Gibson county, In- 
diana, is deceased; W. L. is referred to elsewhere in this volume; J. A. is 
engaged in the banking business in Antioch, California: Flzie died in infancy: 
Mary is the widow of P. A. Bryant and lives in Fort Branch; Tsabelle mar- 
ried C. F. Gilbert and lives in Cleveland, Ohio; Samuel H. ; Susan married 
W. A. Baldwin and lives at Winona Lake. Indiana. 

The subjeel of this sketch passed his boyhood days on the home place, 
attending the short terms of the district school and devoting the remainder 
of his time to helping in the work of the farm. On September 2, 1878, Mr. 
West was united in the holy bonds of matrimony to Martha V Cooper, 
daughter of William Cooper, an early settler in Gibson county. To this 
union were born four children, as follows: Bertram C, who lives in Oak- 
land. California; one died in infancy; J. A. died when two vears old; Ruth 
i- now living in California. The subject's first wife died in March [896, and 
after her death Mr. West gave up farming and removed to Fort Branch, 
where, in partnership with hi- brothers, he organized a private bank. Tins 
institution was conducted on the basis of a private bank for about four years, 
and in 1900 it was merged into a state bank, it continuing as such for eight 
years, when it was reorganized as a national bank. The original name of the 



GIBSON COUNTY, INDIANA. 605 

Farmers and Merchants Bank has been continued with the addition of 
"National." A recent statement shows the resources and liabilities each to 
equal two hundred and twenty-five to two hundred and forty thousand dol- 
lars. The present officers are: S. II. West, president; Gerhard Sollman, 
vice-president, and H. G. Graper, cashier. 

Mr. West has sold the original home and. has also done a great deal of 
trading in real estate When he left his farm in 1896 it was considered one 
of the best equipped farms in the community, it being well stocked with line 
live stock, short-horn cattle being specialized in. while immense crop- , 1 
corn and wheat were annually harvested. 

Fraternally, Mr. West is a member of the Masonic blue lodge, and he 
has also been through the chairs in the Independent Order of Odd Fellows. 
He and his wife are members of the Methodist F.piscopal church. 



FRED D. LUHRING. 



There'is no one nation that has contributed to the complex composition 
of our American social fabric an element of more sterling worth or of greater 
value in fostering and supporting our national institutions than has Germany. 
The fatherland has given us men of sturdy integrity, indomitable persever- 
ance, high intelligence and much business sagacity — the result being the in- 
corporation of a firm and strength-giving fiber, ramifying through warp and 
woof. A man who may look well with pride upon his German ancestry is 
the subject of this review, who is a native of Gibson count), where he has 
passed practically his entire lite, attaining a success worthy the name, with 
the accompanying and resulting confidence and regard of his fellow men. 

Fred I >. Luhring was born October (>. CS49, '" Johnson township, Gibson 
county, Indiana, the son of Louis and Louisa (Stinkle) Luhring, natives of 
Hanover, Germany, the former born December 15. [810, died July r8, [867; 
the mother was born January 25, [816, and died March 24, 1003. The sub- 
ject' maternal grandfather emigrated to America and located in Gibson 
county at an early date. Louis Luhring crossed the broad Atlantic to the 
new world when he was a young man, and; having earl) learned the trade of 
ksmithing, he worked at that vocation for a wink' in Pittsburgh, Pennsyl- 
vania, coming to the Hoosier state and locating in Gibson count} some years 
previous t < > the subject's birth, dlte father met an untimeh death at the age 
of fifty-six years, being kicked by a mule, he toll,, wing the work of black- 
smithing in addition to his agricultural dtl1 



606 GIBSON COUNTY, INDIANA. 

Of a family of six children, five of whom are now living, the subject was 
the fourth in order of birth. His early youth was occupied with his many 
duties tin the home farm, he attending the short terms of the schools of those 
days. Following his graduation from the common branches, he taught for 
two terms, and then served an apprenticeship to the carpenter trade, which 
he fully mastered and followed for a number of years. 

On May 17, 1885, Mr. Luhring was united in the holy bonds of matri- 
mony to Caroline M. Smith, of Barton township, Gibson county, daughter 
of Charles and Caroline Smith, natives of Germany. Her father was 
born September 6, 1824, and died February 7, 1868; the mother born 
November 24, 1824, died November 25, 1872. This union has been 
blessed by the birth of three children, namely: Clydia is deceased; F. C. is a 
telegraph operator in the employ of the Chicago & Eastern Illinois Railroad 
Company; Curtis E. is at Princeton, where he is agent for the traction com- 
pany. For a short period after his marriage the subject of this sketch en- 
gaged in contracting, building a number of houses, but in 1895 he opened a 
shop and started in the implement business, which he has continued until the 
present time, enjoying a large patronage and having established a reputation 
for integrity and fairness in his business dealings which has not only aided 
him in material ways, but has gained for him a large and ever-widening circle 
of admiring friends. The location of his place of business is one of the very 
best in the town of Haubstadt and his stock of goods is of the best standard 
lines, he having the agency for the International Harvester Company. Be- 
sides his mercantile interests, the subject i-* interested in the Bank of Haub- 
stadt, of which institution he is a director. 

Aside from six years' service in the responsible office of township trustee, 
Mr. Luhring has refused political honors, content to limit his interest in such 
things to voting for those best qualified. In all the walks of life the subject 
has won a reputation for honesty, integrity and public spirit of which any 
man might well be proud. 



S. R. LOCKWOOD. 



An enumeration of the representative citizens of Gibson county would 
be incomplete without specific mention of the well known and popular gentle- 
man whose name introduces this sketch. A member of one of the old and 
highly respected families of the community and for many years a public- 
spirited man of affairs, he has stamped the impress of his individuality upon 
the township and county in which he resides and added luster to the honor- 



GIBSON COUNTY, INDIANA. 607 

able name which he bears, having always been scrupulously honest in all his 
relations with his fellow men and leaving no stone unturned whereby he 
might benefit his own condition as well as thai of his neighbors, consequently 
he has long ago won the favor of the people of the township of which he is 
the efficient trustee. 

S. R. Lockwood was born in Evansville, Indiana. October i. 1867, the 
son of John Lockwood and Josephine (Earl) Lockwood. he a native of Gib- 
son county and she of Vanderburg county. The father of John Lockwood 
was Edwin Lockwood, a pioneer of Gibson count), who settled in the virgin 
forest near Fort Branch and hewed a home out of the wilderness. He con- 
tinued farming all his life, except for a time when he engaged in the saw mill 
business and another period was keeper of a store in Evansville, Indiana. 
He died at the age of seventy. 

John Lockwood enlisted in the Union army at the outbreak of the Civil 
war, being mustered into Company A, Forty-second Indiana Volunteer In- 
fantry. He served throughout the war and was in a number of the most 
important engagements, among others being the memorable struggle at Mis- 
sionary Ridge. He was honorably discharged as a corporal at Rome, 
Georgia, in July, 1865. On his return home from his country's service he 
married Josephine Earl, who was born in Vanderburg county, Indiana, near 
Evansville, the daughter of Robert and Sarah Earl, early settlers, they hav- 
ing come to Vanderburg county down the Ohio river in a llatboat. To this 
union two children were born, the father dying in 1872, and the mother 
subsequently married James Lockwood, a cousin of her first husband. James 
Lockwood was a prominent and successful farmer of his community. He 
died in May, [898, and the mother is now residing with the subject, enjoying 
excellent health and displaying the vigor and appearance of a woman of forty. 
Her ancestors were of English and Irish stock, the Earls being English and 
the McCutcheons, on the maternal side, Irish. 

S. R. Lockwood passed his boyhood days on the farm, attending the 
common schools at Fort Branch, also graduating from the high school. On 
arriving at mature age he purchased a part of his step-father's farm, on which 
he lived forty-seven years, continuing the active life of an agriculturist until 
180.N, when he rented his place and removed to Fort Branch. In 10,08 he was 
elected township trustee, and is now serving the last year of a six-year term. 

In September, 1898. S. R. Lockwood was married to Anna Patten, of 
Gibson county, the daughter of James C. Patten, M. 1)., one of the leading 
citizen- of the community, highly respected for his successful career as a phy- 
sician and for his splendid record as a soldier in the dark days of the ( 'ivil 



608 GIBSON COUNTY, INDIANA. 

war. To Mr. and Mrs. Lockwood were born three children: Earle died 
in infancy, Mark is in school, and Lewis. 

Fraternally, the subject is affiliated with the Independent Order of Odd 
Fellows and the Modern Woodmen of America. His religious affiliation is 
with the Methodist Episcopal church at Ft. Branch. Politically, he has 
always been a staunch Republican and served four years as town clerk of Ft. 
Branch. He built his present line home in 191 1 at the corner of Lincoln 
and Locust streets. 



J. C. KIMBALL. 

In the anxious and laborious struggle for an honorable competency and 
solid career on the part of the average business man fighting the every-day 
battles of life, there is but little to attract the idle reader in search of a 
sensational chapter; but for a mind fully awake to the reality and meaning 
of human existence there are noble and immortal lessons in the life of the 
man who, without other means than a clear mind, a strong arm and a true 
heart, conquers fortune and gains not only temporal rewards for his toil, but 
also that which is greater and higher, the respect and confidence of those with 
whom his years of active life have placed him in contact. 

J. C. Kimball was born April 1, 183 1, at Cynthiana, Posey county. Indi- 
ana, the son of Elisha and Man- 1 Boyle) Kimball. Elisha Kimball was a 
skilled mechanic and was the inventor of successful improvements on the 
cotton gin, he, however, dying before he could reap the pecuniary benefits of 
his work. He was a man of high order of intellect and stood well in the 
respect and admiration of his fellow men. Besides the subject, there was 
born to Elisha and Marv Kimball one other child, William, now deceased, 
who was a soldier in the Civil war. 

J. C. Kimball spent his boyhood at home with his parents until he 
reached the age of twenty years, when he struck out for himself and came to 
Gibson count)- by four-horse stage from Evansville, and established himself 
in the hardware business, which line he was engaged in up to the time of his 
retirement in 1905. a period of fifty-four years. In connection with general 
hardware, the subject handled stoves, tinware and agricultural implements, 
and his clean-cut and above-board business methods and his genial person- 
ality won for him not only a large patronage, but gained for him a wide circle 
of friends. He was a tinner during; all his active vears. 




J. ('. KIMBALL. 



GIBSON COUNTY, INDIANA. (km, 

In [862 Air. Kimball was commissioned first lieutenant in Company A, 
Eightieth Regiment Indiana Volunteer Infantry, and his command was a 
pari of the Army of the Cumberland. Mr. Kimball was under fire in a num- 
ber of engagements, notably the battle of Perryville. Ill health caused his 
resignation from the army. 

In October, [855, J. C. Kimball was united in the holy bonds of matri- 
mony to Amanda E. Johnson, of Evansville, and this union was blessed by 
the birth of two children, Newton, who died young, and Ella C, now de- 
ceased, who married Dr. \Y. II. IVIcGee and was the mother "i one child. 
Edith. Air. Kimball's wife passed to her reward July [9, 1907. 

The Grand Army of the Republic has claimed the membership of Mr. 
Kimball for many years, and. fraternally, he belongs to the Masonic lodge, 
having been a charter member of the lodge of that order at Princeton. Ib- 
is also a member of the Presbyterian church. Although never having been 
a seeker after public office. Air. Kimball has ever given bis earnest ami active 
support to the Republican party. 

At the present time the subject of this review is retired and lives in his 
comfortable and hospitable home at No. 219 East State street in Princeton, 
peacefully enjoying the well deserved rest which he has earned by a life well 
spent in strenuous and honorable pursuits. In the slowly dimming twilight 
of life's day, Mr. Kimball can rest content and serene, confident that to him 
the Master will saw "Well, done, thou good and faithful servant." 



WILLIAM T. LOW I 



Perseverance and sterling worth are almost always sure to win con- 
spicuous recognition in all localities. William J. Lowe, for three-quarters of 
a century a resident of Gibson county, affords a line example of a successful, 
self made man, who is not only eminently deserving of the confidence re- 
posed in him by his fellow citi/ens, bm also possesses the necessary energy 
and integrity that lit him to discharge the duties of an) responsibility with 
which he ma\ be entrusted A man of vigorous mentality and strong moral 
liber, he has achieved a signal success in the battle oi life. 

William J Lowe was born December 17. [844, two and one-half miles 
west of Fort Branch, Gibson county, Indiana, the son oi Littleton and 
Patience 1 Ulen) Lowe. Littleton Lowe was born in Kentucky in [812 and 

(39) 



6lO GIBSON COUNTY. INDIANA. 

came with his parents to Mt. Vernon, Indiana, when he was a boy of twelve, 
they settling in the woods, where they wrested a home from the wilderness 
and lived the rest of their days. 

Littleton Lowe, on the death of his parents, settled two and one-half 
miles west of Fort Branch, in Gibson count}-, where he secured one hundred 
and sixty acres of land, he clearing forty acres and building a home. Here he 
continued until 1S65. when he removed to Fort Branch, where he spent his 
remaining days, his death occurring in his seventy-fourth year, his wife dying 
at the age of sixty-three. He was a Democrat and a member of the Baptist 
church. In connection with farming, he also was the owner of a store for a 
number of years. To Littleton Lowe and wife were born ten children, 
namelv : Melinda married L. T. Mead and lived in Exeter, Nebraska, both 
now being deceased: Howard, who was in the piano business at Cynthiana, 
Indiana, died in 1907; Mary, deceased, was the wife of John Wells and lived 
five miles east of Fort Branch ; Nancy married George W. Stone, of Owens- 
ville, Indiana; Lavina, who is deceased, married John Jones and lived at 
Fort Branch; Ella, deceased, was the wife of B. Ewing and lived in Lincoln, 
Nebraska; William J.; Susan, deceased, was the wife of Henry Montgomery 
and lived near Fort Branch; Martha is the widow of William Sweazy, of 
Helena, Montana; George W. is in the barber business at Los Angeles, Cali- 
fornia. 

A typical pioneer school house was the one attended by the subject in 
his youth. The old Robb school was two miles through the woods from his 
home, and it had the puncheon seats and primitive appliances so well remem- 
bered by our fathers. Mr. Lowe remained at home assisting in the farm 
work until the Civil war broke out, when, on January 17, 1865, he enlisted in 
Companv H, One Hundred and Forty-third Indiana Volunteer Infantry, at 
Haubstadt. During his term of service he was actively engaged, at times on 
provost duty, with the army in eastern Tennessee, and on the cessation of 
hostilities he returned to Indianapolis with his comrades and was mustered 
out in October, 1865. 

After the close of the Civil war Mr. Lowe engaged in farming two 
miles from Owensville, in Montgomery township, for four years and then 
removed to Fort Branch. He bought eighty acres five miles east of Fort 
Branch in Patoka township and lived there for about eight years, when he 
secured a tract of ninety-one acres | now a part of Fort Branch) and resided 
on it for five vears. For seven years the subject engaged in the furniture and 
undertaking business at Fort Branch, and in 1802 he located in Princeton, 



GIBSON COUNTY, [NDIANA. 6l I 

entering into partnership with A. \V. Lagow, under the firm name of Lagow 
& Lowe, furniture and undertaking being the line of business. This partner- 
ship continued for about a year, when C. \. Scull was admitted to the firm 
and at the end of another year the business was divided, the subject taking 
charge of the undertaking department, but in 1908 Mr. Lowe sold his inter- 
ests. In 1907 Mr. Lowe established a furniture and undertaking business at 
Huntingburg, Indiana, which he still controls, and he is the owner of the 
livery stable and morgue <>n East Broadway in Princeton, as well as his own 
home. 

On March 15, 1866. Mr. Lowe was united in matrimony to Betsy J. 
Pritchett. who was born two miles east of Owensville, the daughter of John 
and Mary Pritchett. who were pioneers in this county. They engaged in 
farming all their lives and are both now deceased. 

To Mr. and Mrs. Lowe have been born the following children: Alvis, 
who is a motorman in Evansville, Indiana, married Nellie Schull ; Ezra, an 
undertaker at Evansville. married Sadie Walters; Anna May is the wife of 
VV. E. Stillwell, an attorney at Evansville, Indiana; John E. is the owner of a 
cigar store in Denver, Colorado, and married Marjorie Younger; Ada Cath- 
erine is the wife of John W. Brownlee, of VEunfordsville, Kentucky. 

Mr. Lowe is a member of Archer Post No. 28, Grand Army of the Re- 
public, at Princeton, and is also a member of the Methodist Episcopal church. 
Fraternally, he belongs to the Masonic fraternity, up to the Knight Templar 
degree, being also affiliated with the Order of the Eastern Star, while he is 
a charter member of the Tribe of Ben-Hur. 



W. L RITTERSKAMP. 



In his special line of effort probably no man in southern Indiana has 
achieved a more pronounced success nor a larger record than William J. 
Ritterskamp, who is not only a market gardener of large importance, but is 
also a noted florist. Starting in a modest way, he has so conducted his 
affairs as to enjoy a steady ami healthy growth through the years, until now 
the interests with which he is identified are numbered anion- th,- mosl im- 
portant enterprises in Gibson county. Because of the eminent success whii n 
he has achieved. Mr. Ritterskamp has gamed a reputation which extends far 
bevond the borders of his own locality. His life has been one of untiring 
activity, and has been crowned with the degree of success attained by tho 



6l2 GIBSON COUNTY, INDIANA. 

only who devote themselves inclefatigably to the work before them. He is 
of the high class of business men. and none more than he deserves a fitting 
recognition among the men whose genius and ability have achieved results 
that are most enviable and commendable, and because of his splendid record 
and his high personal qualities, he is eminently deserving of representation 
in the annals of this count}-. 

William J. Ritterskamp was born in 1867 at Freelandville, Knox 
count}-, Indiana, and is the son of William and Louise ( Heithecker ) Ritters- 
kamp, both of whom were natives of German}-, the father born near Ebber- 
feldt and the mother at Minder. In 1S44 William Ritterskamp came with his 
parents, John and Louisa ( Kircher ) Ritterskamp, from their native country 
to America, locating at once in Knox county, Indiana. Here the parents 
first obtained a farm and later went into the merchandise business, in which 
they were successful. Both died in that county. They were the parents of 
eight children, namely: Henrietta, who became the wife of Henry Stahl- 
schodt, of Kvansville, Indiana; Bertha, the wife of Fred Nothing, of River- 
side, California; Julia, the wife of Daniel W. Becker, of Evansville, Indiana; 
Louisa, the wife of Samuel H. Kixmiller, of Freelandville, Indiana; Alvina, 
the wife of William S. Pielmeier, of Chelsea, Michigan; Martha, the wife of 
H. E. Schroeder, of Freelandville, Indiana; John E., a retired farmer of 
Freelandville, and William, father of the subject of this sketch. William 
Ritterskamp received his education in the common schools, and upon attain- 
ing mature years became connected in the mercantile business with William 
Rahn at Evansville, Indiana. Several years later he joined the firm of 
McCord & Company at Yincennes. this state, and then engaged in the mer- 
cantile business at Freelandville, where he was engaged for thirty-three 
years. He is now retired from active business pursuits and is living at 
Princeton. Elis wife died in 1872. and subsequently he married Wilhimenia 
Heinz, of Germany. To his first marriage were born the following children: 
William John, the immediate subject of this sketch; Julius IT, who died in 
Colorado in 1912, was a merchant and saw-mill man in Knox county, but 
went to Colorado in 1908, and engaged in the shoe business in Colorado 
Springs. Eventually he sold out ami, buying a tract of land at Alamosa, 
Colorado, engaged in dry farming. I le married Christina Voile, and to 
them were born six children, namely: Lena, Walter, Oscar, Paul, Helen and 
Laura. This family now lives at Freelandville. Indiana. Emma Ritterskamp 
died in infancy. Laura became the wife of H. S. Pielmeier, a merchant at 
Freelandville. and thev have two children. Helwig and Irene. Louise mar- 



GIBSON COUNTY, [NDIANA. 613 

ried Roscoe Hill, professor in the high school at Colorado Springs, Colorado. 
They have two children, .Max and Louisa. Elelen is the wife of Theodore 
Osborne, of Oaktown, Indiana. Julia is the wife of Albert \. Faller, a 
merchant at Bicknell. Indiana, and they have two children, Joseph and Louisa. 
Godfried, who graduated from the Indiana State University, taught German 
in the Vincennes high school, and is now connected with the Tribune at Chi- 
cago. Gertrude is at home. William Ritterskamp is a stanch supporter of 
the Democratic party, and while a resident of Knox count}- served as township 
trustee. Religiously, he is a member of the Evangelical church, 

William J. Ritterskamp received a good common school education and 
later was a student at Elmhurst College. After completing his education he 
became identified with his lather in the mercantile business until [891, when 
he took up farming on reclaimed marsh land near Freelandville, which en- 
gaged his attention until 1897. "hen he came to Princeton and there engaged 
in the business of raising flowers. The story of the inception, rise and de- 
velopment of the business thus started by Mr. Ritterskamp reads more like 
romance than history. It is the story of a persistent light against innumer- 
able obstacles, which would have daunted one of less sterling metal, and de- 
serves the splendid success which, has crowned his efforts. Upon coming to 
Princeton, Mr. Ritterskamp built a greenhouse, which he kept np with the 
help of one man a part of the time. His first effort was successful, and he 
added to the original plant front time to time, including the Shannon green- 
houses, the glass structures from the Martin Meyer gardens and smaller 
plants around Princeton, but the period of most rapid growth of the green- 
houses dates from about seven years ago, when Mr. Ritterskamp boughl sev- 
eral hundred hot-bed sites from discouraged Patoka cantaloupe growers, 
which he erected into cold houses at his gardens. A year later he trans- 
formed them into hot houses, steam-heated, and from that time on his suc- 
cess was assured. In 1909 the business was incorporated under the name of 
the Princeton Gardens, all of the -tuck being owned by Air. Ritterskamp and 
members of his family, and today the Princeton Gardens or, as commonly 
known, the Ritterskamp Gardens, are one of the most important industries 
in this locality. During the bus) season more than one hundred people are 
regularly employed and at other times the average number of employes is 
about fifty, man) of whom are expert and competent horticulturists and 
floriculturists. Today the plant embraces about forty thousand square feet 
of glass, thirteen hot houses and si.N hundred square feet of hot beds, heated 
mostly by hot water and steam. Two years ago new, modern structui 



614 GIBSON COUNTY, INDIANA. 

with concrete walls, steel gutters and steel truss construction were erected for 
the culture of roses, and to give more room for the better development of 
carnation growing, and for this plant a modern steam boiler was installed. 
Three years ago Mr. Ritterskamp bought a tract of muck land and sand land, 
located about five miles southwest of Princeton and known as the Pittman 
farm. He at once put ten acres out to celery, which, however, was not a suc- 
cess the first year, though by subsequent efforts and the expenditure of money 
for drainage, fertilizers and other manipulations, he has proven that celery, 
onions, potatoes, cabbage and head lettuce can be successfully grown here. 
At present the trucking area, fruits, vegetables and plants, covers about one 
hundred and forty acres, much of the land producing two crops, and, in some 
instances, three crops. Many car-loads of bunch vegetables are sent to the 
Chicago market, and the gardens are widely known throughout the Middle 
West for quality of the products. 

Mr. Ritterskamp has long been regarded as one of the foremost men of 
the country in various branches of gardening, and his services are in constant 
demand for instructive addresses before bodies of this character. In 1907 Air. 
Ritterskamp, with eight others, signed a paper asking for a mass convention 
of vegetable growers and gardeners, for the purpose of forming an associa- 
tion, the result being that in October, of that year, at Cleveland, Ohio, the 
Greenhouse Vegetable Growers' and Market Gardeners' Association of Amer- 
ica was organized. It has been a very successful association, starting with 
sixty-nine members and growing to the present membership of over four hun- 
dred. From the time of its organization, Mr. Ritterskamp was a member of 
the executive board, and in ( >ctober, 1913, at the convention of the association 
held at Toledo, Ohio, he was elected president and is now serving in that 
capacity. The honor which came to Mr. Ritterskamp was a pleasant surprise, 
as he was not a candidate and had no intimation that he was to be made the 
head of this international organization. However, it was the desire of the 
convention that a man be named who not only knew the theoretical side of 
gardening, but who knew virtually every phase of it from the standpoint of 
practical experience From his addresses and statements of practical expe- 
riences made at various gatherings over the country, his fellow members of 
his association decided that he was the man they wanted for the place, and 
he accepted the honor. 

Aside from his floriculture and horticulture, Mr. Ritterskamp has turned 
his attention to other lines of effort and four years ago purchased the fruit 
in more than three hundred acres of orchards, in the handling of which he 



GIBSON COUNTY, INDIANA. 615 

realized a substantial profit. Mr. Ritterskamp generously refuses to take 
more than his share of the credit of the building up of this big business, say- 
ing that the credit belongs to all the members of his family, who have been 
tireless and unceasing in their efforts toward the building up of the enter- 
prise. Among others who have been faithful and efficient assistants of Mr. 
Ritterskamp mention should lie made of James T. Harman, of I 'erry county, 
this stale, who has been with .Mr. Ritterskamp for nine years, A. A. Smith, 
of Springfield, [llinois, Eel. Weisgarber, who has special charge of the Lotus 
Celery Gardens, west of Princeton. 

In 1880 William Ritterskamp was married t< 1 A. Pielimeier, 

of Freelandville, Indiana, the daughter of William and Fredericka Pieli- 
meier, both of whom were natives of Germany, and early settlers at Vin- 
cennes. Indiana. Later they took up farming, which they followed for many 
years, but the father is now retired and is living at Freelandville, Indiana. 
To Mr. and Mrs. Ritterskamp have been born the following children: Gil- 
bert, who married Charlotte Rosenbaum, of near Peoria, Illinois. After 
completing his common school education, he entered Purdue University, 
where he pursued the horticultural course, and also took a business course at 
Evansville, Indiana. He is closely associated with his father in his business. 
Edna is at home with her parents. 

Fraternally, Mr. Ritterskamp is an appreciative member of the Free and 
Accepted Masons, belonging to the blue lodge at Princeton, while religiously 
he is a member of the First Presbyterian church. A man of high moral 
character and impeachable integrity, persistent industry and excellent judg- 
ment, he has stood for the best things, and throughoul the community he 
occupies an enviable position in the esteem of his fellow men. 



DAVID ARCHER. 



The biographies of enterprising men. especially of good men. are in- 
structive as guides and incentives to others. The examples they furnish of 
patient purpose and steadfast integrity strongly illustrate what is in the 
power of each to accomplish. Some men belong to no exclusive class in life. 
apparently insurmountable obstacles have in many instances awakened their 
dormant faculties and served as a stimulus to carry them to ultimate suc- 
cess, if not renown. The instance- of success, in the face of adverse fate 
would seem almost to justify the conclusion that self-reliance, with a half 



6l6 GIBSON COUNTY. INDIANA. 

chance, can accomplish any object. The life of David Archer, long a well- 
known and successful business man of Princeton and now gone to his reward, 
is an example in point, for, by his individual efforts and close adherence to 
duty, he overcame the obstacles encountered on the highway of life and at 
the same time won a reputation for right living among his fellow men. 

David Archer was born in 1816, the son of Thomas and Mary (Mc- 
Calla) Archer, on the old Archer place, north of Princeton, Gibson county, 
Indiana, and died February 20, 1894, in the city of Princeton, that count}-. 

Thomas Archer, the subject's father, a native of South Carolina, early 
in life located on a farm in Patoka township, two miles north of Princeton, 
Gibson county. He obtained one hundred and sixty acres of land, which he 
cleared and made a home, where he spent most of his days, engaged in gen- 
eral farming and stock raising. In later life he sold his farm and bought six 
acres north of Princeton, but his death occurred on the old home place. The 
early ancestral history of the Archer family is referred to more fully in 
another portion of this work in the biography of Samuel Hugh Archer, to 
which the reader is referred. 

David Archer received his early education in the common schools of the 
district and as a young man was engaged in business with his brother, Samuel 
M., of Princeton, later being associated in the clothing business for several 
years with A. E. Crow and having a number of other commercial interests. 
In 1847 he purchased the property at the corner of Broadway and South 
Gibson street in Princeton and erected a residence, later acquiring the prop- 
erty at Xo. 317 East Broadway, where he and his sister lived. 

Mr. Archer married Martha McCalla, who was born in 1823 and died 
February 20, 1804, Mr. Archer passing to his reward June 2, 1883. Martha 
McCalla was born in the Chester district of South Carolina, the daughter of 
Thomas and Sarah Wayne (Gardner) McCalla. David McCalla, a brother 
of the subject's wife, married Elizabeth Harbison. 

Thomas McCalla, the grandfather of Mrs. Archer, was a soldier in the 
Revolutionary war, being a member of the Pennsylvania troops in that strug- 
gle, he afterward being pensioned l>v the government for his services. • 

To the subject and wife were born three children, namely: Beza was 
born in Princeton, Gibson county, Indiana. January 26, 1849, where he now 
resides and has business interests; Mary Elizabeth was born in Gibson county 
and has always lived at home, now residing with her brother Beza; Isabella 
died in 1863. All of the subject's children received a good education in the 
schools of Princeton. Beza is a member of the Sons of the American 
Revolution. 



GIBSON COUNTY, INDIANA. 617 

ROBERT MILTON MUNFORD. 

It will always be a mark of distinction to have served in the Federal 
army during the great Civil war between the states. The old soldier will 
receive attention no matter where lie goes if he will hut make himself known, 
particularly if he puts on his old faded uniform. And when he passes away, 
which the last of them must do within a few years, most of them having 
already lived out their allotted three score and ten. according to the Psalmist, 
friends will pay him suitable eulogy for the sacrifices he made fifty yeai 
on the held or in the no-less-dreaded prison or hospital. And ever afterward 
his descendants will revere his memory and take pride in recounting his 
services for his country in its hour of peril. 

Robert Milton Munford was born two miles northwest of Princeton, 
Gibson county, Indiana, on September it. 1832, the son of John and Mary 
Nixon (Archer) Munford, the former born in 1796, and the latter in 1800. 
They were natives of the Chester district, in South Carolina. John Munford 
was a son of James Munford, also of Chester district, who was descended 
from good old Scotch-Irish stock. John Munford came to Gibson county, 
Indiana, about 1S15. a single man. and here obtained, first, a sixty-acre tract 
of government land, and later another tract of one hundred acres, two miles 
northwest of Princeton. It was all wild land, covered with a dense growth 
of timber, and to the clearing of this land and the creation of a farm he gave 
his remaining years, being successful in his enterprise and gaining the esteem 
and confidence of the community. His death occurred there on October 26, 
He was survived many years by his widow, who died in 18X4. hi 
addition to fanning Mr. Munford was also an expert carpenter ami was fre- 
quently called upon to do work of this kind for his neighbors. lie was a 
Whig in his political views, hut upon die organization of the Republican party 
he became allied with that organization, lie was at one time a memb 
the Reform Presbyterian church, and later became a member of the United 
Presbyterian church, lie and his wife were the parents of nine children, 
namely: James Riley, a farmer, married Ella Little, and both are deceased 
Thomas Harvey, deceased, married Louise Embree. William Archer, now 
deceased, who was a farmer and trustee of Patoka township, and lived his 
later years in Princeton. Jane was the wife of John Mauck, and both are 
now deceased. Mary, who never married, died in 1005. Robert Milton is 
the immediate subject of this sketch. Samuel E., who was educated 111 the 
home schools, studied medicine, graduated from the Medical College of 



6l8 GIBSON COUNTY, INDIANA. 

Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, in 1861, came to Gibson county and here enlisted 
for three months' service, but did not go to the field. He then enlisted as a 
private in Company H, Seventeenth Regiment Indiana Volunteer Infantry, 
but was appointed hospital steward, and later assistant surgeon and still later 
surgeon of the regiment. Eventually he became medical director of the divi- 
sion of which his regiment was a part, and served in this capacity until the 
close of the war. After the war he returned to Princeton and took up the 
active practice of medicine, in which he was eminently successful. He died 
in 1893. He married Mima Stoneberger, who still resides in Princeton. 
Doctor Munford was prominent in many ways in his community and he was 
\< ived by all who knew him. Alexander McLeod, the youngest child born to 
John and Mary Munford. was a member of Company A, Eightieth Regi- 
ment Indiana Volunteer Infantry, and was wounded in 1864 at the battle of 
Resaca, dying in Louisville. 

Robert M. Munford had but little opportunity to attend school, such 
education as he had being obtained in the old log school, near his home. He 
remained with his parents until his marriage in 1856, when he took up farm- 
ing operations on his own account, following this line of effort until 1861, 
when he enlisted as a private in Company D, Fifty-eighth Regiment Indiana 
Volunteer Infantry, in Princeton, this regiment being assigned to the Army 
of the Cumberland. However, on account of his father's death and the fact 
that four of the sons were in the army, he came home in February, 1863, to 
take care of the home. Enlisting as private, he had been promoted to the 
position of hospital steward, in which he rendered efficient service. After 
his return ir< mi the war he located on the old homestead, where he resided 
continuously until the winter of 1899, when he relinquished active labor and 
removed to Princeton, where he has since resided. He still owns eighty acres 
of the old homestead, in the operation of which he has been very successful 
during his active years. 

In 1856 Mr. Munford married Nancy J. Finney, a native of Gibson 
county, Indiana, the daughter of John K. and Lourena Finney. Their par- 
ents were natives of South Carolina, coming to Gibson county in the early 
days, locating in Patoka township. Mr. Finney was a railroad contractor 
and farmer, and was very successful in his affairs. He and his wife both 
died in this county. Mrs. Munford died on February 2, 1902, without issue. 

Politically, Mr. Munford has always given ardent support to the Re- 
publican partv, and has taken an intelligent interest in all local affairs, es- 
pecially such as promise to be of material benefit to the community and his 



GIBSON COUNTY, INDIANA. 

fellow citizens. Fraternally, he has been a member of Archer Post No. 28, 
Grand Army of the Republic, at Princeton. Indiana, for many years, and 
from the age of eighteen years lias been an earnest and active member of 
the United Presbyterian church. He is a man of sterling qualities of char- 
acter, even tempered, and scrupulously honesl in all the relations of life, 
hospitable and charitable, and thus he has gained the approval and high 
esteem of all his fellow citizens because of his upright life. 



CALVIN R. HOWE. 



The man whose life now comes before the reader for review is too well 
and widely known and universally loved and respected for the biographer t<> 
attempt to add anything to the well-known story of his long and interesting 
life. Calvin R. Howe enjoys the unique distinction of being the oldest male 
white child born in Gibson county, Indiana, having first seen the light of 
day October 25, 1827, at a time when the broad acres of this fertile county 
were for the most part virgin timber and soil, the settlements small and far 
between and the beautiful homes, cities and well cultivated farms of today 
not even a wild dream in the minds of its earliest pioneer-. The father of 
Calvin R. Howe was Willis Howe, born in Boone county, near Pinhook, G 
ington, Kentucky, and he in turn was the son of Robert and Elizabeth 1 Mc- 
Combs) Howe. Robert Howe, with his wife, eight sons and two daught 
came to Gibson county, Indiana, in 1819 and settled in White River town- 
ship. He obtained a tract of wild land, which he cleared and there they made 
their home for a number of year-, lie was always engaged in farming. In 
later life he moved to Lawrence county. Illinois, and there he did. His wife 
1 in Knox county. The names of their children follow: Tames. William, 
John, Willis (subject's father), Benjamin, Sanford, Samuel. Jackson, Luan- 
da, Jane and Mary. 

The opportunities for the education of the young were very meager 
during the youth of Willi- Howe and he received only a very limited edu- 
cation. He early was apprenticed to the blacksmith trade in Princeton and 
later bought the business of William Ralston and continued to operate that 
shop until his death in 1886, at the age of eighty-thn 1 fe was quite 

skilled in his trade and an expert workman on edged tools. His reputation 
brought him business from Posey. Pike and Gibson counties ami he prospered 
financially. He was one of the few men in this locality in his day who had 



620 GIBSON COUNTY, INDIANA. 

money to loan and was well known and highly respected all over the county. 
He took an active interest in politics and was elected county treasurer about 
the year 1834; he was also justice of the peace for many years. He was a 
member of the old Whig party and when the Republican party came into 
existence he gave it his support. Two of his brothers, Benjamin and Samuel, 
were tanners by trade, Sanford and Jackson were blacksmiths and the rest 
of the boys were farmers. Willis Howe took as his wife Mary Minnis, who 
was born in South Carolina, a daughter of Calvin and Mary Minnis. Her 
parents were born in Ireland, emigrated to America and settled in South 
Carolina, coming to Indiana in 1811. They reached their destination the 
day of the battle of Tippecanoe and in three weeks he was compelled to join 
the militia to go to the relief of Fort Harrison, but he only got as far as 
Vmcennes, where he remained three weeks. His family, alone and doubtless 
suffering greatly through his absence, lived in their wagon until his return. 
During his absence they saw only one white man. Mr. Minnis settled in 
Gibson county near Stormont Hill and later lived one and one-half miles 
northwest of Princeton, where he continued farming. He and his wife died 
in Princeton between the years 1850 and i860. They had only twin 
daughters. Mary, the subject's mother, and Jane, who became the wife 
of John \Y. Wood, and both are deceased. Willis Howe was a faithful 
member of the Methodist church and his wife of the Reformed Presbyterian. 
She died in 1879, at the age of seventy-three years. 

Calvin R. Howe received his earlv instruction in the subscription 
schools of the day. At the age of twelve years he was studying Latin and 
was receiving instruction in Greek at the age of seventeen. He entered his 
father's blacksmith shop with the intention of mastering the trade and re- 
mained with him until his twenty-first year. At the age of twenty-two he 
went to Owensville, Indiana, where, in partnership with Timothy Techinor, 
he opened up a blacksmith shop. This partnership continued for two years, 
at which time they sold out and the subject and his father handled dry goods 
for two years. In 1856 Mr. Howe decided to settle down to farming and 
located one and one-half miles south of Princeton, where he continued for 
ten years, when he went to Salina county, Kansas, in 1866. However, he 
remained there only a few months and returned to Gibson county, locating 
one mile west of Princeton, where he remained for twenty-seven years, and 
for the past twenty years he has made his home in Princeton, practically 
retired from active life. He still owns ninety-seven acres of valuable land in 
section 12, Patoka township. 



GIBSON COUNTY, INDIANA. 621 

On November c8, [852, Mr. Howe was united in marriage with Eliza- 
beth J. Yerkes, who was born in [833 near Homesdale, Pennsylvania, a 
daughter of Jacob Paul and Huldah (Skinner) Yerkes, he of Pennsylvania 
and she of New York state. In [836 the Yerkes family came to Evansville, 

where the father died the same year. The wife moved to Owensville, In- 
diana, where she reared her family and lived for a number of years, 
died in Vanderburg county, Indiana, at the home of her oldest daughter, 
Mrs. G. B. McCutcheon. Mr. Yerkes was a carpenter by trade and the 
family were members of the Presbyterian church. There were ten children 
in the family, as follows: Amelia, Jonathan, Reuben, Harriet, Margaret, 
Charlotte, Anna, Culparina, Elizabeth and Honora. The last three named 
are living; Culpurina is the wife of Dr. David Malone, of Arnsville, Illi- 
nois; Honora is the wife of L. H. Hawes and lives at Mt. Vernon, Illinois, 
and Elizabeth is the wife of the immediate subject of this sketch. 'I'm Calvin 
R. Howe and wife were born seven children, two of whom din] in infancy. 
The ones which grew to maturity are: Mary II.. deceased wife of J. 1'. 
Brown, of Patoka township. At her death, which occurred in igio, she left 
two children. Charles Y., now attending dental college at Indianapolis, and 
Lewis, who has been attending Moores 1 1 ill College for the past two years. 
The second child of Calvin R. Howe and wife was Anna, who died single at 
the age of thirty-three years; Charles }.. who was a teacher and was drowned 
in the Colorado river in 1880; Willis Paul studied law. was admitted to the 
bar, practiced three years and died in [890, and the fifth child is Nellie, wife 
of Andrew P. Carey, a dairy farmer in Patoka township. They are the 
parents of four children, I. aura. Grace, deceased, Paul and Mabel. 

Mr. and Mrs. Howe have a family heirloom much prized, in the form 
of a Masonic apron originally owned by Mrs. Howe's father, who was a 
prominent Mason. The apron is of white satin, hand-painted with the 
various emblems of the order, and is over one hundred year- old. It is care- 
fully framed in order to best preserve it intact. 

At the age of twenty years Mr. Howe joined the Sons of Temperai 
and attributes his health and longevity, at least in nan. to his abstaining 

m alcoholic beverages. Considering Mr. II-' ■ irs, hi' is a mat 

remarkable activity and general vitality and gets aboul as well as a man very 
many vears younger. His eyesight and hearing are unimpaired and he re- 
tains an excellent memory. Mr. and Mrs. Howe have been members of the 
Methodist Episcopal church for the lasl sixty-one years and have always 
taken an active interest in the affair- of the church. Mr, Howe's political 



622 GIBSON COUNTY, INDIANA. 

sympathies are with the Republican party and. although he has never aspired 
for office, he has always taken an active interest in the affairs of his party. 

How futile to attempt to add anything to the salient and simple facts of 
this long and wholesome life. Surely it should be an inspiration to those on 
the threshold of life to see this demonstration of the fact that right princi- 
ples of life and right habits of living conduce to that enviable state wherein 
"thy days may be long upon the land." Mr. Howe is well known from one 
end of Gibson county to the other and no citizen of that county is held in 
higher esteem. 



A. R. BURTON, M. D. 



It is not always easy to discover and define the hidden forces that move 
a life of ceaseless activity and large professional success; little more can be 
done than to note their manifestation in the career of the individual under 
consideration. In view of this fact, the life of the distinguished physician 
and public-spirited man of affairs whose name appears above affords a strik- 
ing example of well defined purpose, with the ability to make that purpose 
subserve not only his own ends but the good of his fellow men as well. He 
has long held distinctive prestige in a calling which requires for its basis 
sound mentality and intelligent discipline of a high order, supplemented by 
the rigid professional training and thorough mastery of technical knowledge, 
with the skill to apply the same, without which one cannot hope to rise 
above mediocrity in administering to human ills. In his chosen field of en- 
deavor Dr. A. R. Burton has achieved success such as few attain and his 
present eminent standing among the medical men of his community is duly 
recognized and appreciated. 

A. R. Burton was born in Gibson count}-, Indiana, April 26, 1859, the 
son of Bazil and Luanda (Kilpatrick) Burton, the father born November 
10, 1835, in Winchester, Virginia, and the mother in Gibson county, In- 
diana, in 1836. Bazil Burton was a farmer and he removed to Indiana in 
pioneer times, where he made a success of agriculture. When the Straight 
Line railroad was being built through the county he contracted to build five 
miles of roadbed, but the enterprise ruined him financially. The greater part 
of his life was spent at or near Francisco, his declining years being passed in 
the home of the subject, dying in 1901 at the home of his nephew. Dr. Hiram 
Burton, near Somerville, Indiana, his wife having preceded him to her 
reward in 1 881 in Princeton. 



GIBSON COUNTY, INDIANA. 623 

To Bazil and Lucinda Burton were born four children, namely: George 
S. died in Montana; Bell married Dr. R. L. Broadwell, of Petersburg; Louis 
H., who lives in southern Illinois, is a contractor of tiling and ditching; A. R. 

Mr. Burton attended the common schools of the district and Fort 
Branch and on the completion of this rudimentary education began reading 
medicine under the tutelage of V. T. West, of Princeton, in whose office he 
studied until the fall of 1870. at which time he entered the Medical College 
of Ohio, now the University of Cincinnati, where he spent three years pre- 
paring himself for the exacting duties of the medical profession. Graduating 
March 4, 1882. the Doctor located at Princeton, where he has since remained, 
his superior skill in his practice having obtained for him a wide reputation 
and established for him a most desirable and remunerative practice. For 
fifteen years Doctor Burton has been a member of the pension board, his 
term of service never having been interrupted by the changing administration 
of political parties. 

A close student of the art of medicine, the subject keeps posted on all the 
latest discoveries in his profession. lie belongs to the American Medical 
Association, served as secretary of the Gibson County Medical Association 
for ten years, and also was a member of the State Medical Association and 
for ten years served as secretary of the city and county board of health. 

On August 10, 1883, the Doctor was united in matrimony to Margaret 
J. Fentriss, of Princeton, daughter of James H. and Johanna (Skinner) 
Fentriss, old residents of that city. The mother of the subject's wife was a 
native of Scotland, while the father was born in Gibson count}-. James H. 
Fentriss was a harness-maker by trade and served for years as a justice of 
the peace, also for four years holding the office of county recorder. Both 
parents of Mrs. Burton are now deceased. 

To the subject and wife has been born one child, Blanche, who is living 
at home with her parents. She has gained favorable notice as a musician of 
high order and her services have been engaged at a number of the leading 
musical functions throughout the state, she rendering vocal and instrumental 
selections in a manner that has attracted wide notice among the critics and 
promises much for the future. 

Doctor Burton is Democratic in his political belief, while, fraternally, 
he belongs to the Improved Order of Red Men, Knights of the Maccabees, 
Court of Honor, Tribe of Ben-Hur, Royal Arcanum and the loyal < )rder of 
Moose, and he was formerly affiliated with the Fraternal Order of Eagles. 
He takes an active interest in the Presbyterian church, of which he is an 
earnest member. 



6_>4 GIBSON COUNTY, INDIANA. 

R. S. ANDERSON, M. D. 

The unostentatious routine of private life, although of vast importance 
to the welfare of the community, has not figured to any extent in history. 
But the names of men who have distinguished themselves by the possession 
of those qualities which mainly contribute to the success of private life and 
to the public stability, and who have enjoyed the respect and confidence of 
those around them, should not lie permitted to perish. Their examples are 
most valuable and their lives well worthy of consideration. Such are the 
thoughts that involuntarily come to mind when we take under review the 
career of such an honored individual as the gentleman whose name initiates 
this paragraph, who is numbered among the leading practitioners of the art 
of healing in Gibson count)'. 

Robert S. Anderson, M. D., was born in Princeton, Gibson county, Indi- 
ana. July 24, 1861, the son of William Anderson, Jr., and Nancy Louisa 
( ( iarrett ) Anderson, he a native of Ireland and she of this county, the mother 
being a descendant of the Stormont family. The paternal grandfather, Will- 
iam Anderson, Sr., came from county Donegal. Ireland, to Gibson county in 
1854 and located on land one mile south of Princeton, afterward purchasing 
a farm four miles south of the town. He reared a large family, ami resided 
here until his death in the late seventies. His son, William, Jr., learned the 
trade of blacksmith, which he followed until 1S75. when he took up agricul- 
ture, following it until his death, April 0. 1880. His wife died in 1900. To 
the subject's parents were born four children, namely: Lizzie A. is the 
widow of John A. Pfohl; Martha M. is the wife of David Birchfield, of 
Princeton; Fanny J. is the wife of John O. Hamilton, of Manhattan, Kansas, 
who is professor of physics 111 the State Agricultural College at that place; 
R. S. 

R. S. Anderson secured his elementary education in the common schools. 
In preparation for the practice of the medical profession, he attended the 
University of Louisville (the old Kentucky College of Medicine), from which 
he graduated in 1884. In later years he took a course in the Polyclinic Insti- 
tute at Chicago. On his graduation from the Louisville Medical College the 
subject engaged in the practice of his profession at Grove City, Christian 
county, Illinois, and continued there for eight years, at the expiration of 
which period he removed to Princeton, Gibson county, Indiana, where he has 
since remained in the general practice of medicine and surgery. 

Doctor Anderson was married at Grove City, Illinois, in 1888. to Lizzie 




I! S. ANDKRSON. M. I). 



GIBSON COL'NTY ; [NDIANA. 625 

B. McCoy, of that place, and to this union has been born one child, Oscar 
M., born in 1895 ani ' now '" school. 

In addition to a long and successful career as a general practitioner, the 
subject has served as city and county health officer for a number of years and 
for eighteen years has been local surgeon for the Southern and the I 
& Eastern Illinois railroads, lie is a member of the Gibson county, the state 
and the American medical associations, and also holds membership in the 
Association of American Railway Surgeons. 

In his fraternal relations. Doctor Anderson is an enthusiastic hcln 
in the tenets of the Masonic order, having attained to the thirty-second de- 
gree, belonging to the Scottish Kite consistory at Indianapolis and being a 
Knight Templar at Princeton. He has rilled all the chairs in the local lodge 
and was chairman of the building committee and one of the trustees who 
had charge of tiie erection of the handsome new Masonic Temple at Prince- 
ton. He is a member of the Methodist Episcopal church. 

The subjecl has ever displayed an active and intelligent interest in 
political affairs, formerh serving a- treasurer id' the Republican county com- 
mittee, hut during the last campaign he severed his connection with that body 
and joined the I Y< igressi 



JAMES M. SCANTLIN 



Clearly defined purpose and consecutive effort in the affairs of life will 
inevitably result in the attaining of a due measure of success, but in loll 
ing out the career of one who has attained success 1>_\ his own efforts there 
comes into view the intrinsic individuality which made such accomplishm 

sible, and thus there is granted an objective incentive and inspiration, 
while at the same time there is enkindled a feeling pect and admiration. 

l"he qualities which have made Mr. Scantlin one of the prominent and suc- 
cessful men of Princeton. Gibson county. Indiana, have also brought him the 
esteem of his fellow townsmen, for his career has been one of well-directed 
energy, strong determination and honorable methods. 

James M. Scantlin was born October 26, 1842, at Evansville, Indiana. 
the son of Thomas and Eleanor j. 1 Parvin) Scantlin. idic mother \va 
descendant of Gen. Robert Evans, founder of the citj of Evansville, near 
which place she was born in a log cabin. The father was born in Lexington. 
(40) 



626 GIBSON COUNTY, INDIANA. 

Kentucky, and was engaged in the stove and tinware business at Evansville, In- 
diana, starting there in 1836 and continuing until his retirement in 1908. 
Thomas Scantlin, who was a prominent man and was highly esteemed in his 
community, died January 19, 1912, at the extreme age of ninety-eight, and 
his wife died four years previous to his demise. To the subject's parents 
were born nine children, of whom six are living, namely: Lavinia E. and 
Ethel are unmarried and reside in Evansville; Mrs. Julius Stewart, of Evans- 
ville; Mrs. Carrie Overman, of New York City; Thomas E., of Medford, 
Oregon; James M. 

Thomas Scantlin, the subject's father, removed to Princeton about 
1819, with his father, James Scantlin, who was a charter member of the 
First Methodist church of that city. The subject's grandfather settled on a 
farm south of Princeton and conducted a tin shop on his place, which is now 
the William Spore farm. The subject's father learned the trade of tinner 
there and started in business for himself in Evansville in 1836. In 1852 he 
came back to Princeton, however returning to Evansville in 1853. 

James M. Scantlin, the immediate subject of this review, was educated 
in the schools of Evansville and Princeton and attended the old college on 
Seminary Hill. He graduated from the Evansville high school about 1858, 
but did not receive his diploma for nearly forty years. He was subsequently 
a student at the Indiana State University at Bloomington. and while there 
was made a member of the Sigma Chi fraternity. He began helping in his 
father's business when he was but fourteen years of age, and continued in 
this work, with only such interruptions as were caused by his school work, 
until the Civil war. when he enlisted in Company K, One Hundred and 
Thirty-sixth Regiment Indiana Volunteer Infantry, serving until 1864 and 
attaining the rank of corporal. On returning from the service of his coun- 
try, he again resumed his connection with his father's business, and continued 
thus until iS<)4, when he removed to Princeton and established his present 
prosperous hardware store. 

On June 7, 1869, Mr. Scantlin was married to Helen E. Wallace, born 
in the city of Princeton, a granddaughter of Alexander Devin. To this union 
has been born one daughter, Nora, who married Herbert R. Clarke, a railroad 
man of Aurora, Illinois. Herbert and Nora Clarke have two children, Helen 
R. and Gertrude E. 

Mr. Scantlin is a member of the Grand Army of the Republic, and in 
politics gives his support to the Republican party, while in religious affairs 
he is a member of the Methodist Episcopal church, in which he serves as a 
steward. 



GIBSON* COUNTY, INDIANA. 627 

SANFORD TRIPPET. 

The record of the gentleman whose name introduces this article con- 
tains no exciting chapter of tragic events, but is replete with well-defined 
purpose which, carried to successful issue, have won for him an influential 
place in the ranks of his profession and high personal standing among his 
fellow citizens. His life work has been one of unceasing industry and per- 
severance, and the systematic and honorable methods which he has ever 
followed have resulted not only in gaining the confidence of those with 
whom he has had dealings, but also in the building up of a large ami re- 
munerative legal practice. Well grounded in the principles of jurisprudence, 
and by instinct and habit a constant reader and student. Mr. Trippet com- 
mands the respect of his professional colleagues, and his career has reflected 
honor upon himself and dignity upon the vocation to which he has devoted 
his efforts. 

Sanford Trippet was born November 13, 1875, in Gibson county. In- 
diana, the son of Aaron and Susan (Robb) Trippet, natives of this county. 
The mother was the oldest daughter of David Robb, one of the pioneers of 
the community and a nephew of Major David Robb, who fought at the battle 
of Tippecanoe. The father has passed his life in White River township, 
being a successful and progressive farmer, his wife still living. To Aaron 
and Susan Trippet have been born eleven children, all of whom yet survive. 
Aaron Trippet is at present a county councilman and is president of the 
board. 

The subject of this review, after completing his preliminary studies in 
the common schools, attended the Princeton Normal School and then entered 
the Indiana State University at Bloomington, graduating with the literary 
class in 1901. Deciding on the legal profession as his life work. Mr. Trippet 
then matriculated in the law school at Ann Arbor, Michigan, from which he 
was subsequently graduated. Returning to Princeton, he entered into a part- 
nership with Thomas Duncan for the practice of law, the linn name being 
Duncan & Trippet, this partnership existing for about a war. when, in 1905, 
the firm of Ballard & Trippet came into existence. 

That same year, 1905, the subject was married to Edith M. Kightly, 
daughter of Charles and Eva (Gardner) Kightly, the father being a drug- 
"i^t in Oakland City, Indiana, until his death in 1913. To the subject and 
wife have been born three children. Blanche, Byron and Charles K. 

Tn addition to his duties in the legal profession, Mr. Trippet for a num- 



628 GIBSON COUNTY, INDIANA. 

ber of years ranked high as an educator, he having taught school in Hazleton 
for five years and been principal of the schools there for three years, during 
which time his services were highly appreciated by the patrons, his progres- 
sive and intelligent pedagogical methods being a distinct boon to the educa- 
tional institutions there. 

Fraternally, Air. Trippet is a member of Masonic Lodge No. 420, at 
Hazleton, in which he takes an earnest and active interest. 

The home of the subject is located at No. 331 West Walnut street, in 
the city of Princeton, ami it is the hi ispitable center of a wide circle of friends. 



FRANKLIN H. MAXAM, M. D. 

It is not always easy to discover and define the hidden forces that move 
a life of ceaseless activity and large professional success; little more can be 
done than to note their manifestation in the career of the individual under 
consideration. In view of this fact, the life of the successful physician and 
public-spirited man of affairs whose name appears above affords a striking 
example of well-defined purpose, with the ability to make that purpose sub- 
serve not only his own ends but the good of his fellow men as well. Doctor 
Maxam, who has had exceptional training in his chosen profession, holds 
distinctive prestige in a calling which requires for its basis sound mentality 
and intellectual discipline of a high order, supplemented by rigid professional 
training and thorough mastery of technical knowledge, with the skill to 
apply the same, without which one cannot hope to rise above mediocrity in 
ministering to human ills. There is. therefore, a due measure of satisfac- 
tion in presenting, even in brief resume, the life and achievements of such a 
man, and in preparing the following history of the scholarly physician whose 
name appear- above it is with the hope that it may prove not only interesting 
and instructive, hut also serve as an incentive to those who contemplate mak- 
ing the medical profession their life work. 

Franklin H. Maxam was born February 14, 1850. in Gibson county, 
Indiana, about four mile- east of Princeton. He is the son of Napoleon B. 
and Mary S. ( Slack ) Maxam. who were the parents .4 eight children. Two 
of the children and the parents are now dead. Napoleon E. Maxam was 
born and reared on a farm near Maxam Center, east of Princeton. Gibson 
county, Indiana, the locality in which Sylvester Maxam, grandfather of the 
subject, settled when he came in the earl}- days of Gibson county from his 



GIBSON COUNTY, INDIANA. 629 

old home in New York. Dating from those early days, the family has al- 
ways been foremost in all things pertaining to the best good and welfare of 
the community at large. Mary S. Slack, mother of the subject, was a native 
of New Jersey, where her family had resided for many years. She was a 
granddaughter of Aaron Slack, a hero of the war of 1812. 

Doctor Maxam received his elementary education in the common schools 
of Gibson county, later attending the Princeton high school and also the high 
school at Owensville, Indiana. He later attended the University of Michigan, 
at Ann Arbor, for one year. Upon his return to 1'rinceton he took up the 
reading of medicine with Doctor Munford and Doctor West. He later on 
entered into a partnership with Doctor Munford, which partnership was in 
force for one year only. Wishing for more thorough training in his profession 
than could he obtained in his locality, he went to New York City, where he 
entered the Long Island College Hospital at Brooklyn, Xew York, where he 
remained for one year. Later he entered the Bellevue Hospital in Xew York 
City, from which he was graduated in 1877. He then returned to Princeton, 
where he took up the practice of his profession. This he continued for some 
time. when, desiring still greater advantages, he spent one year in Europe in 
the various famous hospitals of the continent. Most of his time was spent 
in Vienna, from the hospitals and laboratories of which have come forth so 
many things of benefit to suffering humanity. The fame of its surgeons. 
physicians and chemists has gone abroad through the world, so that post- 
graduate study in that city is a thing coveted by all who take up the pro- 
fession of medicine as their life work. Upon his return from Europe, Doctor 
.Maxam returned to his native Princeton, where he has since made his home, 
gaining an enviable reputation for himself and a warm place in the regard 
of his fellow townsmen. With a desire to still further equip himself in his 
profession, Doctor Maxam has, since entering upon the active practice, taken 
several post-graduate courses in New York City, embracing a combined 
period of several months. 

In 1884 Doctor Maxam was united in marriage to Jane Howe, a resi- 
dent of Princeton, daughter of Sanford Howe. She came from a family 
prominent in the affairs id' the county. To this union were horn two daugh- 
ters, Ruth and Charlotte. Airs. Maxam was a charming woman, of excep- 
tional qalities of heart and mind and her beautiful influence traveled far be- 
yond her home circle. She died July 16. 1913. 

Doctor Maxam's religious affiliation is with the Methodist Episcopal 
church, of which he is a consistent member, lie is a Republican of the old 



63O GIBSON COUNTY, INDIANA. 

school, interested in the workings of his party. He is an active member of 
the Gibson County Medical Society, the Indiana State Medical Society and 
the American Medical Association, in the proceedings of all of which he takes 
an interested part. Doctor Maxam has had remarkable success in his pro- 
fession, and is often called into consultation by his professional brethren be- 
cause of his ability as a diagnostician and his uniform success in the handling 
of diseases. In addition to splendid technical skill, he possesses broad sym- 
pathies which enable him to at once gain the confidence of his patients. 

Doctor Maxam has not only always kept in close touch with the trend 
of medical thought, but is also a close student of social, political and scientific 
subjects, being broad-minded and keenly interested in all that makes for the 
betterment of his fellow men. In every sphere of endeavor in which he has 
taken a part, his ability and strict integrity have elevated him in the confi- 
dence of his fellow citizens and his influence is always powerful and salutary 
in the community. 



ROLLIN MAXAM. 



The history of a county or state, as well as that of a nation, is chiefly 
a chronicle of the lives and deeds of those who have conferred honor and 
dignity upon society. The world judges the character of a community by 
those of its representative citizens and yields its tributes of admiration and 
respect to those whose words and actions constitute the record of a state's 
prosperity and pride. Among the prominent citizens of Gibson county who 
are well known because of the part they have taken in public affairs, as well 
as the fact that the} - come from an old honored family, is Rollin Maxam, 
the subject of this sketch. 

In his present capacity as clerk of the Gibson circuit court, Mr. Maxam 
doubtless has as wide an acquaintance as any man of his community, due not 
only to his years of public service, but also to his genial and friendlv spirit, 
his undoubted honesty and integrity. Mr. Maxam was born August 29, 
1870, on the same spot on which he now resides, in Princeton, Gibson county, 
Indiana. He is the son of Sylvester R. and Mary L. (Herman) Maxam. 
The father was a native of Gibson county, born in 1822 and died in 1895. 
The mother was born in Pennsylvania in 1827 and died in 1907. Thev made 
their home in the same location where the subject of this sketch resides, on 
what is now known as West State street, for fifty-five or sixty years. This 
certainlv is an enviable experience, which falls to the lot of very few indeed. 



GIBSON COUNTY, INDIANA. 63] 

The grandfather of the subject, also Sylvester Maxam, came at an early 
date in the history of Gibson county, and located east of 1'rinceton, near 
what is now known as Maxam Station, the name serving as a record of the 
family's early activities. Grandfather and Grandmother Maxam stood high 
in the esteem of the community by reason of the deeply religious lives they 
led, their firm convictions leaving their imprint on all the various activities 
of life. 

Sylvester Maxam (father of the subject) and wife first made their home 
at Maxam Station for a short time, before removing to Princeton. To 
them were born seven children: Mrs. Sylvester A. Rollin, of Princeton; 
Andrew L., of Bisbee, Arizona; Mrs. James Conzett, of Princeton, who 
passed away November 24, 1913; Emma Maxam, of Princeton; Olive M. 
Maxam, of Washington, D. C. ; Robert, deceased, and Rollin, subject of this 
sketch, who was born after his oldest sister was married, and was given her 
husband's name. The father and mother were consistent members of the 
Methodist Episcopal church and he was engaged in the flouring mill and 
grain business in Princeton for many years. 

Rollin Maxam received his earliest education in the local schools, later 
attending the Indiana Normal University, at that time in Princeton. He 
served as deputy postmaster for one year, and in 1895 entered the office of 
the clerk of the Gibson circuit court as deputy to Samuel A. Stewart, for 
whom he served eight years and then served another eight years in the same 
capacity to Mr. Stewart's successor, Thomas J. Mason. From his years of 
faithful service in the office of county clerk and his intimate knowledge of 
the duties pertaining thereto, his friends induced him to permit his name to 
appear on the Republican ticket in 1910 as candidate himself for the office 
of county clerk, and, in spite of the widespread victory of the opposition, 
Mr. Maxam won his office. One other Republican only was successful. His 
election was for four years. 

On March 3, 1898, Mr. Maxam was united in marriage to Anna Baner, 
daughter of Anthony and Amelia Baner. Anna Bauer was born at New 
Albany, Indiana, although her parents resided in Evansville, Indiana, at the 
time of her marriage to Mr. Maxam. To them have been born one child. 
Robert Anthony, who i^ now seven years old. 

Fraternally, Mr. Maxam has a number of affiliations. He is a member 
of the Elks Lodge No. 634 of Princeton, of which body he has been secretary 
for the past seven years. He is also a member of the Independent Order of 
Odd Fellows Podge No. 64, of Princeton, and member of the tribes of Red 



6t,2 GIBSON COUNTY. INDIANA. 

Men and Ben-Hur. Mr. Maxam, at an early age, manifested an interest in 
politics, identifying himself with the Republican party and has always been 
active in its affairs. His years of service in the county office to which he has 
been elected speak well for the trust and esteem in which he is held in the 
community. In every phase of life's activities in which he has engaged, Mr. 
Maxam has been true to every trust and because of the genuine worth of his 
character he has earned and retains the sincere regard of all who know him. 



ABRAM T. MOORE. 



The following is a sketch of a plain, honest man of affairs, who by cor- 
rect methods and a strict regard for the interests of his fellow men has made 
iiis influence felt in his community and won for himself distinctive prestige 
in the business circles of Princeton and Gibson county. He would be the 
last man to sit tor romance or become the subject of fancy sketches, never- 
theless his life presents much that is interesting and valuable ami may be 
studied with proht by the young whose careers are yet to be achieved. He is 
one of tin >se whose integrity and strength of character must force them into 
an admirable notoriety which their modesty never seeks, who command the 
respect of their contemporaries and their posterity and leave the impress 
of their individuality deeply stamped upon the community. 

Abram T. Moore, retired mill operator and grain dealer of Princeton, 
Gibson county. Indiana, was born March 4, 1828. in Stafford county, New 
Hampshire, the son of Gideon and Nancy (Tilton) Moore of the same county. 
The father was a cabinet maker by trade and later in life moved to Belknap 
county, the same state, where he died in his seventy-fifth year. They were 
of English extraction and the mother was a member of the Congregational 
church. To them were born five children : Mary, Adeline and Martha are 
deceased; Abram T. ; Selesta is living in Rhode Island. 

Abram T. Moore received a common school education and lived on 
the home farm until he reached his seventeenth year, when he was apprenticed 
to learn the carpenter's trade and served three years. After perfecting him- 
self in this craft he spent a short time in Xew York state, subsequently being 
employed selling goods in Coleville for four years, and then removed to 
Champaign county, Illinois, in 1856, remaining there until 1875. In Illinois 
he was one of the pioneer settlers, securing a prairie farm, which he cultivated 
with success. He later, in 1866, engaged in the grain and milling business at 




ABRA.M T. MOORE. 



GIBSON COUNTY, INDIANA. 633 

roulon, [Uinois, until 1875. when for eleven years he was in the same busi- 
ness in [ndianapolis. Eventually, he removed to Gibson county and located 
at Princeton, where he established an extensive elevator and grain business, 
building elevators at Princeton, King's Station, Hazleton and Patoka. lie- 
was also one of the firm of R. P. Moore Milling Company at Princeton, but 
is now retired from active business. 

Mr. Ah tore was married to .Mary Jane Wiggins, of New Hampshire, 
who died November 30, 1903. To the subject and wife were horn the fol- 
lowing children: { 1 ) Elwyn F. lives at St. Cloud, Minnesota, where he is 
president of the First National Hank, is a land owner and has many Other 
interests. He married Ida II. Tooksbery and to them have been horn four 
children: Carl is a real estate dealer in Cleveland. Ohio; Olive II. married 
A. S. White, of New York City; George B. is located in Texas, looking after 
his father's interests; Elwyn F., Jr., is at home. (2) Rodger P. married 
Virginia Richards. He died in 1908 and she in 1912. He was in the milling 
business at Princeton. Indiana, from 1885 until his death, was a .Mason ami 
a prominent citizen. He was the father of one child. Maude, who is the wife 
of C. C. Coffee, of San Antonio, Texas. (3) George B., who died in 1902, 
was also in the grain and milling business at Princeton. He married Minnie 
Knight, who now lives in Indianapolis, Indiana. They had one daughter, 
Marjorie, who married H. H. Benedict, of New Haven. Connecticut. (41 
Minnie, who lives in Princeton, is the widow of Samuel H. Kidd, who was 
a leading attorney of that city. She is the mother of three children: Elwyn 
II. is deceased; Mary E. is a teacher: Grace is attending Indiana University. 

In early life the subject was a member of the Masonic fraternity and of 
the Independent Order of Odd Fellows. Fie is a member id" the Baptist 
church at Princeton. Politically, for years he was allied with the Democratic 
party, but for the last twenty-five years has been a Prohibitionist. 



CHARLES A. MILI ER, M. D. 

Charles A. Miller was born in Princeton. Gibson county. Indiana, on 
March 8, 1873, the son of G. C. and Lucilla C. ( Archer ) Miller. Mr. Miller 
attended the common and high schools of Princeton, and then took a scien- 
tific course in the State University at Bloomington, graduating in i8i)f>. He 
then engaged in teaching school, being employed in the high school at Prince- 
ton for three years, and then entered the College of Physicians and Surgeons 



634 GIBSON COUNTY, INDIANA. 

at Chicago, where he pursued the regular course in medicine, graduating in 
1905, receiving the degree of Doctor of Medicine. The following two years 
were spent as an interne in the West Side Hospital, and in 1907 he came to 
Princeton and entered upon the active practice of his profession, in which he 
has been engaged continuously. He is a general practitioner, having qualifi- 
cations for both surgery and materia medica, and is numbered among the 
foremost of his profession in Gibson county. Doctor Miller is a member of 
the Gibson County Medical Society, the Indiana State Medical Society and 
the American Medical Association. 

In 191 1 Doctor Miller was united in marriage with Lenora M. Paxton, 
the daughter of T. R. and Amelia J. (Jerauld) Paxton. Fraternally, Doctor 
Miller is a member of the Masonic order. 



MICHAEL M. KENNEDY. 

To attain a worthy citizenship by a life that is always honored and 
respected even from childhood, deserves more than mere mention. One may 
take his place in public life through some vigorous stroke of public policy, 
and even remain in the hearts of friends and neighbors, but to gradually 
rise to the same position, winning through sterling worth and faithfulness 
to trusts, rather than by a craving for exaltation and popularity, is worthy 
of the highest praise and commendation. As such does the biographer of 
this volume view the career of the subject of this sketch, present county re- 
corder of Gibson county and for many years one of its best known agri- 
culturists. 

Michael M. Kennedy was born in Columbia township, Gibson county, 
Indiana, on July 7, 1857. the son of James and Jane (Martin) Kennedy. 
The mother was a native of Gibson county, born in Barton township, and 
the father was born in Ireland. When quite a young man, James Kennedy 
emigrated to the United States, landing at New Orleans, but coming directly 
to Gibson county, Indiana, where he passed the remaining years of his life. 
He lived a life of activity, and died at the age of seventy-one. His wife sur- 
vived him a number of years, passing away in 1897. James and Jane Ken- 
nedy were the parents of six children, the oldest of whom is the immediate 
subject of this sketch; David, who lives in Columbia township, Gibson county; 
Daniel O., who lived all his life in the same township and died there March 
26, 1913; Margaret, wife of John F. Gudgel of Gudgel's Station in Columbia 



GIBSON COUNTY, INDIANA. 635 

township; Robert Emmett, who died January 7, 191 j. at Farmersburg, Sulli- 
van county, Indiana; and Mary E., wife of Doctor R. S. Mason, of Oakland 
City, Indiana. Immediately upon his arrival in Gibson county, James Ken- 
nedy began work as a contractor during the construction of the old Straight 
Line railroad, known now as the Evansville & Indianapolis. When the 
shadow of the Civil war brooded over the land, quick to show love for his 
adopted country, he enlisted in Company A, Forty-second Regiment Indiana 
Volunteer Infantry, and saw much active service. During his service he was 
badly wounded, from which he never recovered and was compelled to go 
about on crutches the rest of his life. Too much cannot be said in praise 
of these adopted sons of our country who so nobly responded to her call in 
time of distress, and may their memory ever be cherished by the later genera 
tions who reap the benefits of their sacrifices. 

Michael M. Kennedy received his education at Harper's school house in 
his native township, and was early trained in the work about a farm. This 
pursuit was both pleasing and profitable to him and he soon possessed a farm 
of his own. This, however, he has since disposed of, although his children 
still own the old homestead. While residing in Columbia township, for six 
vears he served as township assessor, and in the fall of 19 10 was elected 
county recorder for a term of four years. In the discharge of the duties of 
his office, he is thoroughly competent and holds the honor and respect of the 
entire community. 

In 1879 Mr. Kennedy was united in marriage to Sallie Bell, daughter of 
T. W. Bell, of Warrick county, who lived near Barton township. Mr. and 
Mrs. Kennedy have a charming family of six children, though the majority 
of them have left the parental roof. Emery and Charles are located at 
Roosevelt, Louisiana; Donald, in Iowa City, Montana; Maud, wife of 
George Baltazor of Great Falls, Montana, and Earl and Helen, who remain 
in Princeton. 

Mr. Kennedy has been a life-lung advocate of the principles of the 
Democratic party and his election to the office he now tills was well deserved 
through the services he has rendered his party 1 le is a member of the inde- 
pendent Order of Odd Fellows, Lodge Xo. 64, at Princeton. 

Mr. Kennedy is an unassuming man and it is needless to add that he is 
highlv respected by all who know him throughout the county where he has 
always lived and in all the relations of life he has been found faithful to every 
trust. Because of his sterling worth, uncompromising integrity and pleasant 
disposition, he has won and retains the high regard of all with whom he 
associates. 



636 GIBSON COUNTY, INDIANA. 



PRESSLEY R. BALDRIDGE. 



The gentleman to whom the reader's attention is now directed was not 
favored by inherited wealth or the assistance of influential friends, but in 
spite of these, by perseverance, industry and a wise economy, he has attained 
a comfortable station in life, and is well and favorably known throughout 
Gibson county as a result of the industrious life he has lived here for many 
years, being regarded by .ill who know him as a man of the best type of 
.American citizenship, straightforward, unassuming, genial and obliging, 
who while advancing his individual interests does not neglect his general 
duties as a citizen. 

Pressley R. Baldridge was born in Randolph county. Illinois, near 
Sparta. April 17, 1831, the son of Samuel C. and Hannah (Reed ) Baldridge, 
the father, who died in 1866. having followed the ministry his entire life, first 
laboring in the Social Reformed church and later in the United Presbyterian. 

Such schooling as could be gained in the pioneer schools was the lot of 
the subject and after acquiring this meager education he engaged in farm 
labor for some years and then turned his attention to the trade of cabinet- 
making, which he followed actively until he reached his seventy-seventh 
year, being well and widely known as an expert workman. It is a well 
known fact that the work of this character turned out in our fathers' times 
by hand was of a much better brand of workmanship than that we have 
today. 

On October 15, 1861, Mr. Baldridge enlisted in the Union army as a 
musician, he having previously been a member of the Princeton band, but his 
term of service was less than a year on account of all bands being mustered 
nut at Nashville in 1862. The subject had one brother, James, who died 
many years ago in Rush county. Indiana. 

Mr. Baldridge was married on December 31, 1857, to Jane Lockert. and 
to this union have been born ten children, namely: Margaret is the wife of 
Crawford Stormont. a carpenter; Ida M. died in her twenty-eighth year; 
Samuel C. lives in Evansville, Indiana; William A. is a traveling man and 
makes St. Louis his home; Martha M. lives at home; James P. is a dentist at 
Vincennes. Indiana; Hester, who lives at home; Rebecca A. is the wife of 
Mart-)' E. Hager, of Jersey City, New Jersey; Mary A. died young; Fannie 
L., deceased. 

The subject is an honored member of the Grand Army of the Republic, 



GIBSON COUNTY, INDIANA. 637 

in which he takes an abiding interest, while religiously he is connected with 
the United Presbyterian church. 

In politics Mr. Baldridge rendered a stanch allegiance to the Republican 
party up to 1884. when he cast his support with the Prohibition party and takes 
an active interest in its success, though he is not in any sense a man who has 
sought for himself the emoluments or honors of public office, lie is a man 
of progressive ideas; as a man of strict morality, the community could ask- 
no better; as a man of integrity, no district can boasl of a citizen more honest, 
and as a man of intelligence he ranks high, enjoying the unbounded respect 
and esteem of these with whom he associates. 



HERMAN' SIEGERT. 



Every nation on the earth has contributed its quota to the population oi 
the United States, but no nation has furnished better citizens for our counti 
than has Germany. Hundreds of thousands of the best blood of German) 
have come to this country and become the most substantial citizens of the 
various localities in which they settled. Fortunate indeed is the locality 
which has its German descendants numbered among its citizens, for wher- 
ever they are found, they are always among the most substantial citizens 
the community. The habits of thrift and frugality which they inherited 
from their ancestors always make them valuable assets to the community 
at large. No one ever heard of a German dying in the poorhouse. It is 
unquestioned that the example set by thrift}- German citizens has been very 
beneficial nol to our native American, but to the citizens of all other coun- 
tries as well. Indiana was fortunate in the days before the war. and im- 
mediately after the war. in attracting many thousands of g 1 Germans to 

her borders. Among the many German families coming to this state at the 
close of the war was the Siegert family. 

Herman Siegert, the son of August and Annie (Schaucke) Siegert, 
was bom in Saxony, Germany, in 1847. " c came ,,N,tn il,s Parents to Amer- 
ica in [857. The} landed at New Orleans and from thence they came up 
the Mississippi and Ohio rivers to Mt. Vernon. Later they settled near 
Grayville, Illinois, where August Siegert bought forty acres of land. He 
cleared this land and improved it and spent his remaining days on this place, 
his death occurring there at an advanced 

Herman Siegert grew up on his father's farm 111 Illinois, and worked 



638 GIBSON COUNTY, INDIANA. 

out a part of the time before he reached his majority. At that time his 
father gave him a team and he rented his father's farm and was very suc- 
cessful in his efforts. Within a short time lie was able to buy forty acres 
near the home farm. Some years later he sold this tract and bought another 
farm in Wabash county, Illinois, across the Wabash river from Gibson 
county. In 1872 he was very fortunate in buying one hundred acres of land 
in Wabash township Gibson count}', Indiana, for the very small sum of three 
hundred dollars. This land was covered with a fine growth of timber, which 
in itself was worth more than the price he paid for the land. Mr. Siegert 
probably had the honor of reaping the first wheat which was ever grown in 
the AYabash bottoms in this township. He cleared the land and gradually 
improved it by ditching and draining until it was known as one of the 
best farms of tin- township. With true German thrift he saved his money 
and invested in more land. As a farmer he has had but few equals in the 
history of the township, a fact which is shown by his extensive land holdings 
at the present time. He now owns two thousand four hundred acres in 
Wabash township alone, as well as other farms in Posey and Warrick 
counties. 

In 1882 Mr. Siegert was married to Sarah Pedigo. the daughter of 
Mr. and Mrs. James Pedigo She was born at Owensville, this county. 
After their marriage they made their home about three miles south of 
Crowleyville in Wabash township, where his wife died four years later, 
leaving one daughter, Amanda, who married Paul Maier, and she and her 
husband live with her father. After the death of his wife Mr. Siegert 
closed his home and boarded in the vicinity of his various farms until the 
marriage of his daughter in 1908, since which time he has made his home 
with her and her husband. 

Mr. Siegert is a loyal and earnest member of the German Lutheran 
church and has always contributed very liberally to its support. Mr. Siegert 
is a man of very few words, plain, gentle and unassuming, who attends 
strictly to his own business. He has never interested himself actively in 
politics and has never sought political office at the hands of any party. He 
is an excellent type of the worthy German citizen and shows what can be 
accomplished by fixed purpose and consecutive endeavor. He is a conspicu- 
ous example of the pioneer who began life in a new country and, under un- 
favorable circumstances, by his own integrity and industry has made a career 
of marked success in agricultural affairs. He has lived a useful and honor- 
able life, a life characterized by perseverance and earnest effort, and the 



GIBSON COUNTY, INDIANA. 639 

honorable life lie has led might well set an example to the younger genera- 
tion. J lis lifelong record for right living and industrial habits, for educa- 
tion and morality and for all which contributes to the welfare of the com- 
munity, may well be emulated by the coming generation. 



MILTON CUSHMAN. 



Holding eminent prestige among the successful men of his community, 
the subject of this review has had much to do in advancing the material in- 
terests of Gibson county. The study of such a life can not fail of interest 
and incentive, for he has been not only distinctively representative in his 
sphere of endeavor, but has established a reputation for integrity and honor. 
Numbered among the substantial and worthy citizens of his community, 
none more than he deserves representation in a work of the character "1 the 
one in hand. 

Milton Cushman, the present efficient county treasurer of Gibson county, 
was born July 13, 1865, in Princeton. He received his education in the public 
schools of that city. Reared on a farm, he has followed the pursuit of agri- 
culture all his life, and the present estate of the subject, located five miles 
southwest of Princeton, in Patoka township, is considered one of the model 
agricultural plants in the county, it being the garden spot of the section. 

Having spent one term as an assistant in the office of the county treas- 
urer, Mr. Cushman was eminently fitted to fill that office, to which he was 
elected in 1912 on the Democratic ticket, and his administration of the af- 
fairs of that responsible position has given the utmost satisfaction to the tax- 
payers of Gibson county. 

Modest and unassuming in his manner and of a genial and approachable 
personality, Mr. Cushman has probably as large a circle of friends as any 
man in the county, his strict attention to his own affair- and his straightfor- 
ward and clean life having made him a man whom it is a delight to know and 
honor. 

In fraternal matters, Mr. Cushman takes a deep interest in the Inde- 
pendent Order of Odd Fellows, of which he is an earnest member, striving 
in his daily walk to exemplify the beautiful and worth} precepts taught by 
that order. His support in religious matters is given to the Methodist epis- 
copal church. He has never married. 



64O GIBSON COUNTY, INDIANA. 

HUGH HANNA, SR. 

Dependent very largely upon his own resources from his early youth, 
Hugh Hanna, St., of Patoka township, has attained no insignificant success, 
and though he may have, like most men of affairs, encountered obstacles and 
met with reverses, he has pressed steadily forward, ever willing to work for 
the end he has in view. His tenacity and fortitude are due, no doubt, in a 
large measure to the worthy traits inherited from his sterling ancestors, whose 
high ideals and correct principles he has ever sought to perpetuate in all the 
relations of life. 

Hugh Hanna. St., who, after many years of successful efforts as agri- 
culturist, is now living retired in his comfortable home at Princeton, Indiana, 
was born in December, 1843, > n county Wigtown, Scotland. He was the son 
of Hugh and Margaret i< >sborn) Hanna, who were both born, reared and 
married in the same locality, where the father followed farming all his life, 
and there died. He and his wife were members of the Presbyterian church. 
The latter came to America some time after his death, and here lived with her 
son, the subject of this sketch, until her death. She was the mother of two 
children. .Margaret, who married a Mr. Wilson and lives in Rutland, Ver- 
mont, and Hugh, the immediate subject of this sketch. As a boy, Hugh 
Hanna had very little schooling in Scotland, and spent the major portion of 
his time on his father's farm, until he came to America with John Kerr and 
family, locating in Princeton, Gibson county, Indiana. Here he started to 
learn the blacksmith's trade with T°nas Tichenor, with whom he remained 
for about three years, until the breaking out of the Civil war, when he entered 
the army and performed valiant service in the defense of his adopted country. 
After his return from the army in the fall of 1865, Mr. Hanna was married 
and continued to be employed at his trade until 1868, when he was employed 
in a hardware store for about two years. He then bought a hundred and 
sixtv acres of land in Patoka township, to which he has applied himself con- 
tinuously since, his efforts being rewarded with splendid success. He is a 
good all-round farmer, giving his attention to every detail of his work, and 
the splendid residence and other buildings on the place, well-kept fences and 
other details show him to he a man of good judgment and sound discrim- 
ination. 

In the fall of 1865 Mr. Hanna was united in marriage with Mary Jane 
Cook, a native of county Donegal, Ireland, who came to the United States in 
1862. To this union have been born four children, namely: David, a 
painter by trade, living in Princeton; Mary, the wife of John B. Woods, a 




HUGH HANNA. SR. 



GIBSON COUNTY, INDIANA. 64I 

merchant in Princeton; Elizabeth, the wife of Hugh Thompson, a piano tuner 
of Princeton; Hugh, Jr., the owner of a novelty works at Princeton. 

Politically a Republican, .Mr. Hanna has been a warm supporter of his 

party and has taken an active part in advancing its interests in this locality, 
though the honors of public office have never proved attractive enough to him 
to induce him to try for office. Fraternally, he is a member of Archer Posl 
Xo. _'8, Grand Army of the Republic, in Princeton, this membership being 
particularly consonant in view of the subject's military record, referred to 
briefly in the preceding paragraph. In 1864 he enlisted a- a private in Com- 
pany H, Seventeenth Regiment. Indiana Volunteer Infantry, which was 
mounted, and lie was sent to Georgia, where he took part in the Atlanta cam- 
paign, and then in the pursuit of Hood to Nashville and on to Wilson's raid. 
From there he returned to Macon, Georgia, where he was discharged in Aug- 
ust, 1865. He served valiantly in the ranks throughout the struggle, and 
was fortunate in being neither wounded nor taken prisoner. According to 
the statement of his comrades, he was a faithful and courageous soldier and 
ably performed his part in the suppression of the great rebellion. Religiously, 
Mr Hanna is a member of the Presbyterian church, to which he gives earnest 
support. He has always been regarded as a man of high principles, honest 
111 every respect and broad minded. A man of clean character, kindness of 
heart to the unfortunate, and ever willing to aid in any way in causes for the 
betterment of the community, and the public with whom he has been associ- 
ated, he is held in high favor and the utmost respect is accorded him by all 
who know him. 



JAMES P. ROBY. 

The best history of a community or state is the one that deals 
mostly with the lives and, activities of its people, especiall) of tho 
who by their own endeavor and indomitable energy, have Forged to the 
front and placed themselves where they deserve the title of progres- 
sive men. In this brief review may be found the record of one who 
has outstripped the less active plodders on the highwaj of life, and 
by the exercise of his talents, he has risen to a position which is one of 
the most influential of his township. He possesses those admirable 
qualities, characteristics of mind and heart which make him a credit 
to the community favored by his residence. \.s a private citizen and 
(4O 



642 GIBSON COUNTY, INDIANA. 

as a public official he has won the unbounded esteem and respect of his 
fellow citizens. 

James P. Roby, the son of John and Rachel (Bristow) Roby, was 
born in 1877 in Edwards county, Illinois. His father, John Roby, came 
from Davis count}-, Kentucky, when a small child, in about the year 
1852. Robert Roby, the grandfather of James P., came from Davis 
county, Kentucky, to Edwards county, Illinois, early in the history of 
that state. He was a native of Virginia and, according to the family 
records, he was born in the same county as was Thomas Jefferson. 
His death occurred in Edwards county, Illinois, and his son, John, grew 
up in that county, was married there, and has lived there on a farm all 
of his life. Rachel Bristow Roby, the mother of the subject, was born 
in Davis county, Kentucky, and moved to Edwards count)-. Illinois, 
about 1852, with her parents, Benjamin P. and Sallie (Crawford) Bris- 
tow. She lived in Illinois until 1885, when with her husband she moved 
to Wabash township, Gibson county, Indiana, where they resided for 
about twenty years. They then moved back to Illinois, where thev are still 
living. However, the subject of this sketch, James P. remained in this county, 
and followed the occupation of teaching for eight years. As a school teach- 
er, he made an excellent record as an instructor and disciplinarian. At 
the time he stopped teaching he was one of the best known teachers in the 
county. lie was elected township assessor, an office which, he held for five 
years. The citizens of the township in which he had been teaching recog- 
nized his superior ability as an executive and elected him as township trustee 
of Wabash township, an office which he has filled with great credit to himself 
as well as to the township. As trustee he has taken an unusual amount of 
interest in the schools of his township, and has built them up so that the}- are 
the best schools in the county. 

Mr. Roby was married in 1901 to Leota H. Gibson, the daughter of 
Charles and Melinda (Waddle) Gibson. Her father died when she was a 
small child, and die and her mother lived for -< .me years with her grand- 
father. David Waddle, in Wabash county, Illinois, across the Wabash river 
from Gibson count}-. Some years after moving to Illinois, her mother mar- 
ried Fred Freeman, of Wabash township, Gibson countv. 

To Mr. and Mrs. Roby have been born four children, Leslie, Charles, 
Annazene and Edna. Mr. Roby has always been an adherent of the Demo- 
cratic part}- and is not a mere partisan, but takes a very active interest in all 
public affairs and is one of the best posted men on current events in the town- 



GIBSON COUNTY, INDIANA. 643 

ship. Tt is probably safe to say that no more popular township official has 
ever exercised the duties of bis office than lias the subject of this sketch. Mr. 
Roby is a man of kindly nature, modesl and unassuming in bis demeanor 
and is one of those genial men whom it is a pleasure to meet at any time. He 
is a man of vigorous mentality, deeply interested in everything pertaining to 
the welfare of his community along material and civic lines, and is justly 
regarded as one of the progressive and enterprising men of his township. 
His life has been one of unceasing industry, and the systematic and honorable 
methods he has followed have won for him the confidence of his fellow citizens 
of Gibson county, whose interests he lias ever had at heart. 



PAUL MAIER. 



Nol too often can be repeated the life history of one who has lived so 
honorable and useful a life and attained to such distinction as he whose 
name appears at the head of this sketch. As a private citizen and as a public 
official he has been a pronounced success in everything with which he has 
been connected. There are individuals in nearly every community who by 
reason of ability and force of character rise above the heads of the masses 
and command the unbounded esteem of their fellow men. Such individuals 
are characterized by perseverance and a directing spirit, two virtues that 
never fail. They always make their presence felt and the vigor of their 
strong personalities serves as a stimulant and incentive to the young and rising 
generation. To this energetic and enterprising class the subjecl of this 
sketch very properly belongs. 

Paul Maier, the son of .Maurice and Anna I Meld) Maier, was born in 
1869 at Mt. Vernon, Indiana. He grew up in the town of Mt. Vernon and re- 
ceeived all of his education in the public schools of that place. Mr. Maier has 
always been very active in politics, and as a Republican has been elected to 
three county offices in Posey county. 1 lis firsl office, however, was as marshal 
of Mt. Vernon. Immediately following bis term as marshal of the town 
of Mt. Vernon, be was elected sheriff of Posey county. Indiana, and g; 
such excellent satisfaction as sheriff that be was elected to tbe office 
count} clerk, notwithstanding the fad thai Posey county is normally strongly 
Democratic. He handled tbe duties of county clerk so satisfactorily to the 
people of the county that he was easily elected upon the expiration of his 
term as county clerk to the office oi county auditor. Here again he was 



644 GIBSON COUNTY, INDIANA. 

very successful in conducting the affairs of the office. In his whole official 
career he has striven for clean politics, and has always conducted the various 
public offices which he has held with the integrity and fairness that his self- 
respect demanded. It is safe to say that not a more popular sheriff, clerk 
or auditor ever served the people of Posey county than Mr. Maier. It is 
very possible that no other man in the state enjoys the honor of having 
held three county offices in succession, and especially in a county where the 
opposing party usually elected all the county officials. It certainly speaks 
well for the business ability and strict integrity with which Mr. Maier con- 
ducted his official affairs. There have been a few men who have been 
elected to two county offices, but seldom, if ever, in the state in the last few 
vears has any man been elected to three county offices in succession. 

Mr. Maier was united in marriage in 1908 to Amanda Siegert, the only 
child of Herman Siegert and Sarah (Pedigo) Siegert, whose family is rep- 
resented elsewhere in this volume. Mrs. Maier is an unusually well edu- 
cated and refined woman, possessing all the social graces which characterize 
the woman of culture. She is an accomplished musician, and graces her 
beautiful home with dignity and hospitality. 

Mr. and Mrs. Maier have one of the most beautiful country homes in 
the state. Upon coming to the entrance of this home one passes through an 
archway, on which is inscribed "Mount Siegert." Driving through the arch- 
way a broad gravel road is seen leading up to the Jordan hills, which rise 
abruptly from the river bottoms. High up among the hills, commanding a 
view for many miles in all directions, is their beautiful residence, finished 
in mission style. Handsome paintings adorn the walls, beautiful furniture 
is seen in all the rooms. A modern lighting system is one of the prominent 
features of the house. This home, built in 1911 by Mr. Maier, was designed 
by his versatile wife, and embodies all the latest ideas in architecture. 

In this delightful home Mr. and Mrs. Maier dispense their hospitality 
with a kindly and generous hand. Mr. Maier is a man of wide experience 
in public life and is used to mixing with the busy life of the people. He is 
affable, courteous and popular wherever he is known, and his wife shares 
his popularity with him. Fraternally, Mr. Maier is a member of the Knights 
of Pythias and takes an active interest in the affairs of that fraternity. He 
and his wife are both loyal and earnest members of the German Lutheran 
church and have always contributed liberally to the support of that denomina- 
tion. Mr. Maier, by his straightforward and honorable course, has become 
-very successful in the business affairs in which he has been engaged. He is 
plentifully endowed with good common sense, energy and determination. 



GIBSON COUNTY, [NDIANA. 645 

and has accomplished what he has by being methodical and unswervingly 
persistent in the transaction of all his business, whether private or public. 
I [e has been essentially a man of affairs, of sound judgment, of keen discern 
ment, far-seeing in whatever he undertakes, and whatever enterprise he has 
addressed himself to has resulted in liberal material rewards. A man of 
much vigor, "I" such praiseworthy public service is clearly entitled to repre- 
sentation in the biographical volume of the present nature, and for this 
reason hi-- career is and should be an example to the coming generation of his 
immunity. 



NATHAN li. KNOWLES. 

Among the settlers who came to Indiana before it-- admission to the 
Union in [816 and who have been identified with the history of southern 
Indiana for more than a century through their descendants, there is no more 
highly respected family than the Knowles family. The grandfather of 
Nathan B. Knowles was Nathaniel Knowles, who came to Gibson county 
with his parents when a -mall boy. He was married in [882 to Temperance 
Born, and to this marriage there were born seven children: Serelda born 
iSjj; Enos Andrew, horn [824; John \Y., horn tS_>o; Asbury, horn [828; 
Louisa, horn [830; Patsy, horn [832; Melissa, horn [834 Nathaniel 
Knowles died at Knowles Station. February 2, iSi)_\ at the advanced . 
of ninety-six years, seven months and fifteen days, leaving an estate 
hundred acres of fine land in Gibson count}'. 

The third child of Nathaniel was John \\\. the father of Nathan 
B. Knowles, the immediate subject of this sketch. John \Y. Knowles mar 
ried Rachel Catherine Carter, the daughter of Benjamin Ford and Rachel 
Carter, and to this union there were born seven children: Temperance Jane 
horn May 5. [854; Kerry II. . horn December '). 1N50; Enos Andrew, born 
December t. 1858; Benjamin E., horn April 8, [861; Rachel h, born 

1865; Nathan 1!.. the subject of this sketch, horn Januar 27, [871; and 
Melvia label, horn November 1. [875 

Benjamin Ford and Rachel Carter reared a large family of twelve chil- 
dren: Elizabeth, horn February i_|. 1S07; Joseph, horn (tender 1 i. 18 
Polly M., horn February 24. 1S1 1 : Julian, horn October 6, 1S12; Minerva. 
born Mine 3, [815; Lucinda, horn February _'. 1817; Nancy E., horn Novem- 
ber i''. [819; Anderson X., horn July 5, [824; Eunice, horn February 22, 
[827; Wren, horn March jo, [829; Susan \\ '.. horn May 8, [831 : and Rachel 



646 GIBSON COUNTY, INDIANA. 

Catherine, the mother of Nathan B. Knowles, born November 7, 1833. Ben- 
jamin Ford Carter came to Indiana in 1813 and before his death had one 
hundred and sixty acres of land in Posey and Gibson counties. 

Nathan B. Knowles, whose family history has been traced hack two 
generations on both sides of the house, was born at Knowles Station, Mont- 
gomery township, Indiana, on January 27, 1871. He received his education 
in the common schools of his township and spent his vacations in work upon 
his father's farm. He has devoted himself to the best interests of the pa- 
ternal estate and still lives with his father. 

In politics, Mr. Knowles has always adhered to the Republican party, 
and has taken more or less of an active part in local political affairs since 
becoming of age. He is a member of the Christian church and is interested 
in the activities of the church and all other movements which seek to better 
the conditions of the community in which he lives. Mr. Knowles is a worthy 
representative of an old and highly respected family which has furnished 
many of the best citizens of southern Indiana. 



GEORGE A. RUTTER. 



A man's reputation is the property of the world, for the laws of nature 
have i< irbidden isolation. Every human being either submits to the con- 
trolling force of others or wields an influence which touches, controls, guides 
or misdirects others. If he be honest and successful in his chosen field of 
endeavor, investigation will brighten his fame and point the way along which 
others may safely follow. The reputation of George A. Rutter, one of the 
older citizens of Oakland City. Indiana, has ever been above reproach, and 
it is with pleasure that the biographer now takes his life under review. 

1 teorge A. Rutter is a native of the Hoosier state, born in Posey county, 
Indiana, on November 12. 1841, a son of Austin and Eliza (Johnson) Rutter, 
both of whom were born in the southwestern part of Gibson county. .Austin 
died there at the age of twenty-one. leaving his young widow and two chil- 
dren, the younger of whom, Austin. C a truck fanner at Mount Carmel, 
Illinois, and the older is George A., the immediate subject of this sketch. 
Later, the widow was united in marriage with Ambrose Coleman, of Monroe 
township, Pike county. Indiana, and she died at the age of thirty-eight years. 
Both Ambrose Coleman and wife were members of the Christian church and 
lived lives in keeping with its teachings. They were the parents of four 
children, John. Margaret, Levi and Thomas, all of whom are dead. 



GIBSON COUNTY, INDIANA. 

George A. Rutter received but a limited schooling in the early subscrip- 
tion schools of the county and started oul in life for himself when quite 
young. In September, 1861, at Owensville, Lndiana, he enlisted pany 

E, Porty-second Regiment, Indiana Volunteer Infantry, and was first sent 
to Evansville, Indiana I iter he was ordered to Nashville, Tennessee, and 
soon thereafter was engaged in several battles, those of Perrysville, Storm 
River. Resaca and Chickamauga. He was in the First Brigade, First Divi- 
sion of the Fourteenth Army Corps and was all through the Atlanta cam- 
paign, lie was '.Mtli General Sherman on Ins famous march to the sea and 
was at the grand review of troops in Washington, I). C, in May, [865. 
received his honorable discharge at Louisville. Kentucky, in July, 1865. 

After the close of the war Mr. Rutter located in Barton township, Gib- 
county, on Snake creek, where for several years he engaged in farming. 
After he left that location and previous to the time he settled at ( lakland 
City in [896, where he has since resided, he lived for a time at Bellmont, 
Illinois, Terre Haute, Indiana, farmed for a time in Rock county, Nebras 
and was also in Mayfield, California, for a while. Since residing at ( 'akland 
City he has served the public as constable and also as tax collector. He has 
done a good deal of carpenter work and in [898 built his present comfort- 
able home. 

Air. Rutter has been married twice, in February, 1863, he was itn 
in marriage with Hannah Emmerson, a native of < ribson county. Her death 
occurred on Novembers, 1903, and in 1905 he took as his second wife Mrs. 
Jane Richardson, widow of William W. Richardson, of Warrick county, 
Indiana, a son of George and Jane Richardson, who were natives of North 
Carolina and early settlers of Warrick county. George Richardson engaged 
in agricultural work all his life and was also a veteran of the < i\ il war. Will- 
iam Wesley Richardson, first husband of Mrs. Rutter, grew to manhood 
in Warrick county, receiving a good common school education. The latter 
part of his life was spent in Columbia township, G iunty, where he 

aged in farming and where he died on < >ctober i>. 1003. lie. too 
lier in the ( ivil war. having enlisted in September, 1861, in Company F, 
Thirty-third Regiment Indiana Volunteer Infantry, and he served until the 
close- of the war. lie had endured the hardships and privations of both 
l.iMw and Xudcro'iiville prisons ami to him, a- to all other loyal sons of our 
country who went through -, 1 much in the dark days of the sixl 1st 

tribute is due. Mr. Richardson was a member of the Grand Army of the 
Republic at Oakland City and a man highly honored by a large circle of 
friends. 



648 GIBSON COUNTY, INDIANA. 

Mrs. Rntter is a daughter of Benjamin and Joanna (Beatty) Lance, 
natives of Pike county, who passed their entire lives within its borders, en- 
gaged in fanning. They were the parents of seven children, namely: Syl- 
vester, Emory, William, Jane, who is Mrs. Rutter, Mont. Jonathan and 
Lottie. 

Mr. Rntter is a member of A. IT. Cockrum Post No. 520, Grand Army 
of the Republic, and his religious affiliation is with the General Baptist 
church, of which he is a consistent member, giving of his time and means 
to furthering its cause. Mrs. Rutter holds her church membership with 
the United Brethren church, and both of them are well known and have 
many warm friends nut only in Oakland City, but throughout Gibson county. 
Mr. Rutter is properly numbered among the substantial citizens of his locality, 
having contributed in many ways to the advancement of his fellow-citizens, 
and is therefore in every way deserving of honorable mention in a biograph- 
ical history of his county. 



THEODORE M. BUCKLIN. 

He to whom this sketch is dedicated is a member of one of the oldest 
and most honored pioneer families in Gibson county, and there is particular 
interest attached to a study of his life record, owing to the fact that he has 
forged his way to the front by reason of an innate ability and personal char- 
acteristics that seldom fail to win the goal sought. It is highly interesting 
in this day of modern improvements to contemplate, at least in part, the lives 
of the early pioneers of our county, and the reference to the immediate an- 
cestors of the subject of this sketch suggests an interesting train of thought. 

Theodore M. Bucklin is descended from one of the very oldest families 
in Gibson county, and was born on his paternal grandfather's old homestead 
one and one-quarter miles east of Princeton, on March 9. 1841. This 
paternal grandfather was David Bucklin, who was born and raised in Rhode 
Island and the father of several children before they decided to try their 
fortunes in what was then the wilderness. They journeyed westward in those 
early days, and finally reached the small settlement now known as Evansville, 
Indiana. Here, though they would have been clad to settle near neighbors, 
they believed the land laid too low, and so, after resting a time, they made 
their way on into Gibson county where they were pleased with the higher 
"round. Xear Evansville thev could have obtained all the land thev wanted 



GIBSON COUNTY, [NDIANA. 649 

at one dollar and twenty-five cents per acre. When they reached a poinl 
suitable to their liking, they found two cabins clo i together, which was the 
beginning of the now flourishing city of Princeton, Indiana. They selected 
land for the most part heavily timbered, and with cheerfulness commem 
the difficult task of clearing and erecting a cabin home and getting oul at least 
sufficient crops to tide them over until another season. Wild game abounded 
about them and for many years tlie\ were able to supply their table with fresh 
meat in this manner. Deer were often shot from their cabin door and 
casionally wild hogs also. David Bucklin and wife passed the remainder of 
their lives "n this homestead, and here they reared their family of children, 
all of whom are dead. The names follow : George, a saw-mill and lumber 
man. lived in Princeton; Jerry, who never married and was killed at the old 

am mill in Princeton; William, a brick mason in Princeton; Mary, who 
married Edward Pinney and resided in Princeton, and Cornelia, who mar- 
ried John Gilbert and made her home in Evansville, Indiana. . The sixth child 
was Horace, father of the immediate subject of this sketch, horn August to. 
1811. 

Horace Bucklin, attended school in Rhode fsland before coming west 
with his father and in that way received a pretty fair education for those 
days. In 1839 he was married to Amelia Maxam, who was a native of Con- 
necticut and had been brought to Gibson county by her parents. To their 
union were horn five children, namely: Theodore VL, subject of this sketch: 
Amelia, widow of J. A. Leonard, of Muncie, Indiana: another child named 
Amelia, which had died aged four years; George \\'., a physician of Muncie. 
Indiana, educated in Princeton 1 Xew York) Medical College, firsl pracl 
for fourteen years in Xew Harmony, Indiana, ami has since been in Muncie. 
Indiana. His wife was Emma Wright. The fifth child was Eliza, who 
married William Perry and resides at St. Petersburg, Florida. After his 
marriage. Horace Bucklin and wife made their home on his father's farm 
four years, when he procured a tract of wild land one and one-half mi 

ttheast of Princeton, which he cleared and made a happy and substantial 
home Later he sold this ground and moved to Princeton, where he died 
in 1896 at the age of eighty-five years. The wife died at the home of a sou 
in Muncie. Indiana, in May, 1901, at the age of eighty-nine years. Horace 
Bucklin and wife were life-long members of the Methodist I piscopal church. 
as were also his parents, ami in that faith he had been reared. He 
originally a Whig, hut at the formation of the Republican party he gave it 
his support. He was a leader among the men of his time, well liked and 
highh respected by all. 



650 GIBSON COUNTY, INDIANA. 

Theodore M. Bucklin attended the early subscription schools in Gibson 
count_y, held in the little log school house, with open fireplace and puncheon 
seats. He early gave assistance to his father in clearing" the wild land they 
were trying to convert into well tilled acres and remained at his father's 
home until the time he enlisted in the army during the Civil war in August, 
i86_\ lie went as a private in Company A, Eightieth Regiment Indiana 
Volunteer Infantry, at Princeton, ami was first sent to Indianapolis to be 
fitted out. From there he was sent to Louisville, Kentucky, and on to 
Perrysville where he was in the battle that took place October 8, 1862. He 
was at Resaca and was in the Atlanta campaign throughout, with the Army 
of the Cumberland, and was with Company A of the Eightieth Regiment 
when they were taken to Franklin and put on boats at Clifton. Tennessee, 
sent to Cincinnati and from there by train to Baltimore, Maryland, and 
thence t<> Alexandria, Virginia. There he became ill and spent some time 
in the hospital, was later sent to a hospital in Washington. D. C, where he 
remained until April 13, 1865. He was in a hospital in the same square as 
the Ford Theatre at the time President Lincoln was assassinated. He was 
soon after removed to the Quaker hospital in Philadelphia where he remained 
for three months and reached home in September of 1865. He had re- 
ceived his discharge two months previous, but was unable to make the journey 
home at the time, and even after reaching home was a very sick man for a 
long time. 

On September Jo, i860, Mr. Bucklin was united in marriage to Amanda 
Van Sant, daughter of James and Mary ( Nexy) Van Sant, pioneers of Gib- 
son county. The father was a farmer and millwright. To the subject and 
wife have been born seven children: Lillian, wife of Charles Shanum, resid- 
ing at St. Louis, Missouri; Essie, wife of Walter Galligan, of Oakland City, 
Indiana ; Halbert, a printer in Indianapolis, who married Cora Sutton ; Will- 
iam C, connected with the furniture business in Princeton, whose wife was 
Marie Kern: Van, a druggist in Chicago, Illinois; Grace, wife of Foreman 
Knowles, ex-county treasurer of Gibs, m count}- and now in the banking 
business in Princeton; and Bruce, unmarried, a printer located in Evansville, 
Indiana. 

After their marriage, Theodore M. Bucklin and wife settled down to 
farming the old Van Sant place east of Princeton, where they remained a 
few years, when they moved to Oakland City, Indiana, where he carried on 
a teaming business. They remained there four years, when they returned to 
Princeton, where he took up carpenter work and continued this line of work 



GIBSON i 01 \TY. IND] \.\.\. i >5 l 

until he retired in [910. Mr. Bucklin is a charter member of Archer Post 
No. 28, Grand Arm) of the Republic, and his relig mpathies are with 

the Methodist Episcopal church, of which he has been a consistent member 
for a great many years. 1 fe is well posted on current events, has man) warm 
friends in Princeton, and indeed throughout Gibson county, and it is by and 
through a man's friends that he is most truly known. During all the 
of his life, Mr. Bucklin has been known a- a man of honor in all the relatii >ns 
of life and it is this consistency in all things thai has made for him an enviable 
place in the estimation of all those who know him. 



JOSEPH C. HARTIN. 



In the early days the Middle West was often a tempting held for the 
energetic, ambitious and strong-minded men and Indiana was filled with 
them during the time she was struggling to a respectable position in the 
sisterhood of states. Before Indiana was admitted to the Union in 1816 
there were some sixty-odd thousand people, all told, who had settled within 
the limits of the state. At that time there was a fascination in the broad 
fields of great promise which this new region presented to activities which 
attracted many men and induced them to brave the discomforts of the 
early life here fur the pleasure and gratification of constructing their for- 
tunes ni their own way and after their own methods. It is this class of 
n en nan an) other who give shape, direction and character to the life 

of an) community. It is an axiom of history that it is the strong willed 
and most energetic men who lead the van of the frontiersmen in any new and 
undeveloped country. Among the pioneers of Gibson county, Indiana, who 
came there before 1816, we find the Hartin family, and during all of these 
years they have been important factors in the life of the counts. 

Joseph C. Hartin, of Princeton, Indiana, was horn in the house where 
he now lives at No. 222 East Water street, on January 13, [839. Hi 
a son of Joseph and Nancy \.gnes ( Stormont) Hartin. The Stormont family 
is mentioned specifically elsewhere in this volume. Joseph Hartin, the 
father of the subject of this sketch, was born in Chester counts. South 
Carolina, July 4. 1800. the same day that Indiana was created a territory, 
lie died December 8. 1847. His wife was horn October 22. 1 700. and 
died April 7, 1877. Their marriage occurred in iSjo. Joseph Hartin 
and his two si-tcrs were left orphans in early life and came here while 



(^2 GIBSON COUNTY, INDIANA. 

it was still a territory, settling in Princeton, Indiana. He was a carpenter 
by trade and built several buildings which are still standing today in the 
city of Princeton. A tew years after coining to Princeton he was injured 
by Mime lumber falling upon him and as a result he was compelled to give 
up his contracting and building business. He then added the locksmith 
trade and general indoor carpenter work to his endeavors and by this means 
made a comfortable living. He helped construct the old water mill at Pa- 
toka. In his political belief he was an Abolitionist and later a Whig. In his 
church relations he was a devoted member of the Reformed Presbyterian 
church. Mr. and Mrs. Joseph Hartin were the parents of eight children, 
Margaret Jam/, born April 17, 1821, died in 1861, married Andrew J. 
Wright; David Stormont, born February 22, 1823, who was a millwright 
in Princeton and Evansville; Mary, born June 15, 1825, deceased wife 
of Calvin Blair; Elizabeth Rosanna, born December 8. 1821, deceased; 
Martha Ann, born July 2, 1830. deceased; Mary Catherine, born Februarv 
17. 1833, married Robert Little; Sarah Amanda, born October 2-,. 1835. 
married John W. Fisher and is now deceased; the eighth and youngest child 
being Joseph C, the immediate subject of this review. 

Joseph C. Hartin attended the subscription school which flourished 
in the time of his boyhood and later went to school in the old Princeton 
Seminary. His schooling, however, was very limited. At the age of thir- 
teen he started out in life to support himself. At that tender age he ap- 
prenticed himself to a blacksmith and started in to learn the trade. He 
later added the painter's trade, which he followed until he retired in 1909. 
Mr. Hartin was married February 2, 187], to Jessie S. Kerr, of Scot- 
land, a daughter of John and Mary Kerr. Doth of her parents were natives 
of Scotland and her mother died in that country. After her mother's 
death her father, with three daughters and one son, came to America, Mrs. 
Minnie Mooney, of Danville, Illinois; Mrs. Hartin; John, who was a farmer 
near Princeton, now deceased: the third daughter returned to Scotland and 
married in that country. Mr. and Mrs. Joseph C. Hartin were the parents 
of three children, one of whom was Mary Duncan, who became the wife of 
Doris R. Head, the present mayor of Princeton, Indiana. Mr. Head was 
born in that city April 17, 1871, the son of Cornelius F. and Mary (Brown- 
lee) Head. His father came to this city from Kentucky and engaged in the 
mercantile business with Charles Brownlee under the firm name of Head, 
Brownlee & Company. Cornelius Head died at Cartersburg, Georgia, in 
1875. Mr. and Mrs. Cornelius Head only had one son, Doris R., his 



GIBSON COUNTY, INDIANA. <>;; 

mother dying when he was but seven weeks old and his father when he 
was about four years of age. He was educated in the common schools of 
Gibson county and graduated from the high school at Princeton. For 
Mime years he was in the brokerage business at Princeton and then was 
appointed deputy sheriff for one term. He was admitted to the practice of 
law March 7, 1913, and has practiced in Princeton since that time. On 
November 4, 1912, he was elected mayor of his native city for a term of 
four years. Mr. Head has been active in Democratic politics for a number 
of years and his election to the mayoralty of Princeton shows the high 
esteem in which he is held by the citizens of his native city. He was mar- 
ried to Mary Duncan Hartin, the daughter of Joseph C. and Jessie 1 Kerr) 
Hartin on November 11, 1908. The second child of Mr. ami .Mrs. Hartin is 
Joseph Melvin, a tailor of Lexington, Kentucky, who married Ada Smith and 
has three children, Eloise, Virginia and Nancy. The third and youngesl 
child is John Aden, who is a laundryman at New Albany, Indiana. 

Joseph C. Hartin was one of the defenders of the Union in its strug- 
gles for existence in the sixties. On August 11, 1862, be enlisted in Com- 
pany A, Eightieth Regiment Indiana Volunteer Infantry, at Princeton. His 
company was sent to Indianapolis after being mustered in and was later 
transferred to Cincinnati, Ohio, and thence to Covington, Kentucky. Their 
first engagement was at Perrysville, Kentucky, on October, S, 1862. The 
succeeding engagements and the dates on which they occurred are as fol- 
lows: Marrow, Kentucky, July 2, 1863; Kingston, Tennessee, November 
25, 1863; Mossy Creek, Tennessee. December 29, 1863: Buzzard Roost, 
Tennessee, May 9, 1864; Resaca, Georgia, May 14, 1864; Dallis Hill, Geor- 
gia. May 28. 1864; Lost Mountain, June 16, 1864; Kenesaw Mountain. 
June 25. 1864: Siege of Atlanta. July 10 to .August 9, 1864: Lovejoy 
Station. September 2 and 3, 1864: Rome, Georgia, October 13. 1864; Col- 
umbia, Tennessee, November 26. 1864: Franklin. Tennessee. November 30, 
(864; Xashville, Tennessee. December 15 and 16, 1864; Fort Anderson. 
North Carolina. February 17. iXh^,; Wilmington, North Carolina, Febru- 
ary 22, 1865, and Goldboro, North Carolina. March 31, [865. His company 
was attached to the Twenty-third Army Corps under General Scofield, and 
was mustered out on June 22. 1805. at Indianapolis. Mr. Hartin has some 
interesting data upon his whole career in the Civil war. one of which shows 
the total number of miles which he traveled while in the service. He has 
ci mputed that he traveled, two thousand fifty miles by water, two thousand 
four hundred fiftv-fiveby rail, three thousand seven hundred by foot, making 



654 GIBSON COUNTY, INDIANA. 

a total of eight thousand two hundred and fifty-six miles. It is needless 
to say that he is a loyal member of the Grand Army post at Princeton. He 
was a charter member of this post and is past commander of the same. Mr. 
Hartin had an enviable record as a soldier and can look back upon his military 
record as one which has never failed to redound to his honor and credit. 

Mr. Hartin has been a stanch Republican all his life and has taken a 
great deal of interest in politics. He has never held any office except that of 
deputy sheriff, although he has been active in the conventions of his party. 
He is a member of the United Presbyterian church of Princeton and con- 
tributes generously of his substance to its support. No man is better known 
in his county than is Joseph C. Hartin, and no man is more highly respected 
than he. He has lived that life which brings with it the satisfaction of hav- 
ing: done his full duty towards his fellow citizen-. 



HARRISON WHITE. 



Few men of Gibson county, Indiana, are as widely and favorably known 
as Harrison White. He is one of those strong" and influential citizens whose 
lives have become an essential part of this history of this community and for 
years his name has been synonymous for all that constitutes honorable and 
upright manhood. Tireless energy, keen perception and honesty of purpose, 
combined with every-day common sense, are among his chief characteristics, 
and while advancing his own individual success, he also has largely promoted 
the moral and material welfare of his community. 

Harrison White was born February n, 1838, in Pike county, Indiana, 
four miles west of Petersburg, the son of Henry and Susan (Johnson) 
White, she a native of Barren county, Kentucky, and he of Rowan county. 
North Carolina. The father was reared to manhood in North Carolina and, 
coming to Indiana in 1832, met and married the subject's mother. He was a 
farmer all his days, his death occurring near Union, Pike county, in his sixty- 
fifth year, his wife passing away at the age of sixty-three. They were mem- 
bers of the Methodist Episcopal church. To them were born eight children, 
namely: Harrison; Elizabeth married Richard Young, of Washington town- 
ship, Gibson county; Maria was twice married, first to Stephen C. Swain and 
then to Edward Brown, and they lived in Pike county: John, a farmer in 
Pike county, married Nancy J. Hale; Vincent T., a farmer in Washington 
township, Gibson county; George, a merchant at Princeton, married Dorcas 



GIBSON COUN I . , l MM VNA. 655 

Hayden : Phoebe Ann married Robert Hayden and they live in Washington 
township, this county; Dicey J. is the widow of Barney McRoberts, of Wash- 
ington t< i\\ uship, this county. 

The old-time log subscripts >n schools were the s< >urce of 1 tarrisi >n White's 
early education and he lived on the home place until the outbreak of the < 'ivil 
war, when he enlisted in Company G, Sixty-fifth Indiana Volunteer Infantry, 
on July 15, 1862. After being at Evansville, Indiana, for a month, the com- 
mand was sent to Henderson, Kentucky, for two weeks, and then ordered to 
Madisonville, that state, the company then cluing duty all over Kentucky as 
guerilla scouts. Later they were dispatched to Knoxville, Tennessee, and 
were in the lighting at Bluntsville, Zollicoffer, Blair's Cross Roads, Mossy 
Creek, and numerous skirmishes, then falling back on Knoxville and engaging 
with General Longstreet until the Atlanta campaign. They were all through 
this campaign and remained with General Johnson until the fall of rNf.a. In 
the spring of 1865 they were sent to Washington, D. C, from there to Annap- 
olis. Maryland, and then, on board ships, to Fort Fisher, ami were engaged 
in the battles of Fort Anderson, Wilmington, Goldsboro and Raleigh, and 
were at the latter place at the time peace was declared. They were discharged 
June 23, 1865, and mustered out at Indianapolis. A\ "bile in the service the 
subject was taken seriously ill at Madisonville, Kentucky, and was disabled 
from active duty for about six months. 

After the war Mr. White' located in Pike county, Indiana, on a farm 
which he had purchased previously, where he resided until [870, when he sold 
his holdings and came to Washington township, Gibson county, and purchased 
forty-two acres of improved land, which he farmed for several years. This 
he also subsequently sold and bought property in Union, Indiana, living there 
six years, after which he again came to Washington township and purchased 
a small farm, where he engaged in agriculture until [907, at that time re- 
moving to Princeton, where he has since reside 1 

Mr. White was first married September 6, [865, to Sarah Owen, of 
Tennessee, and by this union were born the following children: George B., 
of Princeton, is a miner, and is the husband of Helen Morris; J. T.. a farmer 
in Washington township, married Ava Gray; Everett, a farmer at Mt. Car- 
mel. married Delia West; Mary Ann married Elbert Brown, of Evansville, 
Indiana. Subject's first w ife died in Sept ember. 1S77. and for his second wife- 
he married Anna E. Belcher, of Gibson county, one child, Dollie, resulting 
from this union. Mr. White's third marriage was to Maggie Slater, widow of 
Frank Slater, of Daviess county, Indiana. The fourth and present wife of 



656 GIBSON COUNTY, INDIANA. 

Mr. White was Bertha Elizabeth Jones, of Washington township, Gibson 
county, their marriage occurring November 7, 1896. She is a daughter of 
Vernando and Arlemetha Catharene (Phillips) Jones, he a farmer in Knox 
county, Indiana. This marriage has resulted in the birth of one child, Alex 
Royster, born February 4, 1903. 

Harrison White is an honored member of Archer Post, Grand Army of 
the Republic, at Princeton, and in his political belief has always been a stanch 
Republican. In religious matters he is a member of the General Baptist 
church. 



WILLIAM N. TICHENOR. 

The history of him whose name heads this memorial sketch is closely 
identified with the history of Gibson county, Indiana, which was his home 
fi ir so many years. He began his career in this locality in the pioneer epoch 
and throughout the subsequent years he was closely allied with its interests 
and upbuilding. His life was one of untiring activity and was crowned with 
a degree of success commensurate with his efforts. He was Of the highest type 
of progressive citizen and none more than he deserves a fitting recognition 
among those whose enterprise and ability have achieved results that have 
awakened the admiration of those who knew him. The cause of humanity 
never had a truer friend than William N. Tichenor and in all the relations 
of life — family, church, state and society — he displayed that consistent spirit, 
that natural worth, which endeared him to all classes. His integrity and 
fidelity were manifested in every relation of life and his influence widely felt 
in the community honored by his citizenship. 

William N. Tichenor was a native of Nelson county, Kentucky, the son 
of Daniel and Jane ( Glover) Tichenor. who were born and raised in the same 
ci mill)' and married upon reaching early years of maturity. Their births 
occurred respectively on May 5, 1802, and January 8, 1799. Daniel Tiche- 
nor was a mill man. Their son, William X., was born December 25, 1826, 
and soon thereafter, in 1836, they came to Gibson county, Indiana, and settled 
on a farm west of Princeton on the Owensville road. They were among 
the first settlers in that vicinity and secured wild land which they cleared and 
where they made their home for many years. Later on Daniel Tichenor 
added another farm to his possessions and devoted his entire attention to 
farming for the rest of his life. Two brothers. William and Ebenezer. 
accompanied him to Gibson county and obtained farming lands near him. 



2 

> 
Z 

o 

g 

so 




■ 




r 
r 

> 
S 

H 

O 

X 

H 
Z 

o 

73 




GIBSON CO'l NTY, INDIANA. I 157 

The) too were successful farmers and prominent men in the community and 
all were highly esteemed. Daniel was originally a Democrat in politics, but 
later gave his support to the principles <>i" the Republican party. I l« relig 
sympathies were with the Free-will Baptist church, of which he was a 1 
sistent member. To Daniel Tichenor and wife were born the following chil- 
dren, namely: Hannah, wife of Richard LaGrange, of Gibson county; Will- 
iam N., subject of this sketch; Timothy, a blacksmith, whose home was in 
Owensville; Jonah, a blacksmith at Princeton; Mary E. married Hiram 
West fall, and the sixth child, Henry Thomas, a retired blacksmith, residing 
in Princeton, and the sole survivor of the family of children Daniel Tiche- 
nor married a second time, upon the death of his first wife, and his death 
occurred in Princeton. 

William N. Tichenor received only a common school education in 
earby schools of Gibson county and at the tender age of fourteen years was 
apprenticed or "bound over" to Thomas Ewing, a blacksmith of Princeti 
to learn the trade of him. He remained with Mr. Ewing until he came of 
age. at which time he was given forty dollars in cash, his earnings for his 
season of apprenticeship, with which money he purchased himself decent 
clothing and started in the blacksmith business for himself. He later bought 
out Mr. Ewing and operated the shop for about fifteen years, when he pur- 
chased a farm a half-mile west of Princeton 011 what is now known as West 
Broadwav. Here he put up a house and all improvements to make it an 
up-to-date farm. He had about three hundred acres in this place. Here 
he carried on general farming and raised and sold fine live stock. He also 
bought and shipped stock and in addition operated, quite a dairy where his 
wife made and sold great quantities of butter and other milk products. He 
was a man of public spirit who took an active interest in the affairs of his 
community and county. He served as township trustee for several years and 
was also county treasurer two terms. He gave his support to the Republican 
party. Tn 1883 be retired from the farm and took up his residence in 
Princeton, where he was early induced to serve on the council. His sound 
judgment on all matters of interest was known and his advice often sought. 
He was a man of modest manner who sincerely sought to help his fellow men 
in whatever way became possible to him and in consequence had warm 
friends all over the county. 

On October 1. 1849, Mr. Tichenor was united in marriage to Elizabeth 
Johnson, born October 12, T8.28. on River DeShce. a daughter of Nicholas 
and Tane (Howe) Johnson. Her mother was a native of Kentucky and her 
(42) 



658 GIBSON COUNTY, INDIANA. 

father was born in Knox county, Indiana. He was a fanner all his life and 
died near Lawrenceville, Illinois, at the age of fifty years. His wife died at 
the age of forty-five. The}" were both faithful members of the Methodist 
Episcopal church. Their family comprised three children, as follows: James, 
who was a farmer and died at Dunkard Station. Indiana; Elizabeth, wife of 
the subject of this sketch, and Ellen, who married Bud Conner and died in 
Missouri. 

To William N. Tichenor and wife were born the following children, 
namely: James Albert, deceased, a -ketch of whose life appears elsewhere in 
this work; Daniel, who died in 1873. at the age of seventeen years; Henry, 
the present postmaster at Princeton, who is a large fanner and has been 
engaged in the real estate business. ! 1 1 > wife was Ida Teague, of Princeton; 
Oliver Morton, who was drowned in Long Pond, Indiana. Max 31, 1902. 
He left a widow, who was Mary Williams, a granddaughter of Governor 
Williams, and she is now living in Tacoma, Washington, and he also left one 
daughter. Jean Claire, of Terre Haute, Indiana. Oliver Morton Tichenor 
was one of the prominent men of Gibson county and had very, very many 
friends. He had been postmaster at Princeton, was connected with the 
P. I). & E. Railroad in Illinois, was also chief clerk in the revenue office at 
Terre Haute and was a veteran of the Cuban war. 11 is early death, cut short 
an interesting carer. 

William X. Tichenor continued to live in Princeton, loved and esteemed 
by all, until removed by death August 25, 1901. Mrs. Tichenor continues to 
reside at their old home on West and Emerson streets, loved and honored 
by all. The house in which she lives is one of the landmarks of Princeton 
and was built by Doctor Walling in 1852. It is of brick, with spacious 
rooms, eleven of which are finished in black walnut and the wood work- all 
over ihe house was gotten out by hand. It is a suitable and beautiful setting 
for so charming an old lady as is Mrs. Tichenor. 



ALVIN WILSON. 



It is a pleasure to investigate the career of a successful self-made man. 
Peculiar honor attaches to that individual who, beginning the great struggle 
of life alone or practicalh unaided, gradually overcomes unfavorable en- 
eironment. removes one by one the obstacles from his pathway to success 
and by the force of his own individuality succeeds in forging his way to 



GIBSON COl NTY, INDIANA. 659 

the front and winning for himself a position of esteem and influence ami 

his fellow men. Such is the record, briefly stated, of the popular and well- 
known cashier of the First National Bank at Oakland City, Indiana, to 
brief synopsis of whose life and characteristics the following paragraphs are 
devoted. 

Alvin Wilson, the popular and efficient cashier of the First National 
Bank of Oakland City, Indiana, was bom on July 20, 1873, on a farm in 
Warrick county this state, and is a son of Janus and Sarah (Judd) Wilson, 
both natives of Kentucky. James Wilson, who was a fanner by vocation, 
came to Warrick county, Indiana, from bis native state, being one oi the 
first settlers in that community. Here he gained considerable prominence 
as a successful fanner and stock raiser and was numbered among- the promi- 
nent and influential men of that locality. To him and bis wife were born 
eight children, of whom four are living, namely: J. P. of Oakland City; 
Mrs Lora Barker, of Warwick county. Indiana: Mrs. Sarah Pancake, 
Pike county. Indiana, and the subjecl of this sketch. The mother of these 
children now lives in Oakland City. 

Alvin Wilson received bis education in the public schools oi Oakland 
City, graduating from the high school in 1889. He immediately entered 
the First National Bank in the capacity of bookkeeper, from which positi 
he was later promoted to thai of assistant cashier, and in [903 he be- 
came cashier of the bank. This institution was formerly known as the 
People's State Bank, and its history lias been a splendid one. characterized 
b\ popularity and success all along the line. During the ten years in which 
Mr. Wilson has been the executive bead of the institution it has attained 
a place among the foremost financial institutions of Gibson county, a large 
part of its success being directly attributable to the energetic methods and 
personal influence of its cashier. Since be became cashier the bank has 
more than doubled Us business and as the president of this bank is a non- 
resident, the responsibility and the greater part of the work falls upon 
Mr Wilson's shoulders. Mr. Wilson has been actively connected with 
the banking interests of Gibson county longer than am other man in the 
county, and holds high prestige among his business associates as a man of 
probity, honor and mature judgment. 

On December 27. [899, Mr. Wilson married Margaret P. Stewart, 
daughter of \\". II. and Bertha Stewart, of Oakland City. Politically. Mr. 
Wilson is a Democrat and has served on the city school board, taking a deep 
interest in all educational matters, as well as all other phases of local life 



660 GIBSON COUNTY, INDIANA. 

affecting the welfare of his fellow citizens. Fraternally, he is a member 
of the Free and Accepted Masons, including all the degrees of the York 
Rite up to and including that of Knight Templar, and is also a member of the 
Mystic Shrine and the Knights of Pythias. Personally, he is a genial, 
obliging and broad-minded gentleman, who merits in every respect the high 
esteem in which he is universally held. 



JOHN W. RITCHIE. 

< hie of the influential citizens of Princeton, Indiana, is the gentleman to 
whose career the attention of the reader is now directed who is ranked 
with the city's leading merchants and representative citizens. A man of ex- 
cellent endowments and upright character, he has been a valued factor 
in local affairs and has ever commanded unequivecal confidence and esteem, 
being loyal to the upbuilding of his community and ever vigilant in his 
eff'Tts to further the interests of his city along material, mural and civic 
lines. 

John W. Ritchie was born in Gibson county, Indiana, on January 
25, 1879, and is a son of William and Vitula (Benton) Ritchie, the father 
a native of Crawford county, Indiana, and the mother of Gibson county. 
On the paternal side the subject is descended from Alexander Ritchie, a 
native of Glasgow. Scotland, who, after emigrating to this country, came 
to Leavenworth, Indiana, where he established a blacksmith shop. Eventu- 
ally he moved to Crawford county, this state, where he continued his busi- 
ness and there spent the remainder of his days. The subject's father, who 
has been a life-long farmer in Gibson county, is still living, as is his wife, 
their residence being at King's Station, this county. To them were born 
twelve children, all of whom are living, namely: John W., the immediate 
subject of this sketch; Alexander. Katherine, William, Melvin, Myrtle, 
Charles, Clifford, Levi, Flora, Mary and May. 

John W. Ritchie was reared under the parental roof, securing his 
education in the common schools of his home locality and completing 
his studies at Oakland City College. During "the following six years he 
engaged in teaching school and then 'took a business course in the Indian- 
apolis Business College. Upon the completion of his technical studies 
he entered the employ of the R. P. Moore Milling Company as bookkeeper 
and has remained with this concern continuously since, having for the 



GIBSON COUNTY, INDIANA. 66] 

past six years served as .secretary and treasurer of the company. Me has 
been an important factor in the splendid success which has accompanied this 
business and is one of the most trusted and valued employees of the concern. 

On May 24, 1908. Mr. Ritchie was united in marriage with Eva 
A. Williams, the daughter of Thomas P. and Tilitha (Wallace) Williams, 
both natives of Gibson county and representatives of early pioneer families 

Politically, Air. Ritchie is a stanch Democrat, and fraternally he is 
an active member of the Independent Order of Odd Fellows at Princeton. 
His religious connections are with the General Baptist church, to the suppi 
of which he gives liberally of his time and means. 1 le has strongly sup- 
ported every measure or movement which has promised, to he of benefit to his 
community, and, because of his upright life, marked business ability and 
progressive tendencies, he has earned and enjoys the respect and confidence 
1 if the entire community. 



THEODORE SASSE. 



One of the best remembered business men of the past generation in Gib- 
son county, Indiana, was the late Theodore Sasse, at the time of his death 
one of the largest landowners in the county. Of Mr. Sasse personally, it may 
be said that he was a man of strong and active sympathies; his temperament 
was warm and ardent, his feelings deep and intense, ami these and other 
attractive characteristics unconsciously drew him an unusual number of de- 
voted friends, upon whom, under all circumstances, he could rely, and who, 
now that he has passed from earthly scenes, revere his memory, lie was a 
close student of human nature and comprehended with little effort the motives 
and purposes of men, and he was a lover of the truth and sincerity. In brief, 
he is remembered as a manly man, of pleasing bu1 dignified presence, a studenl 
of many subjects and an influential man in the circles in which he moved. Of 
sound character and unflagging energy, he stood as a conspicuous example of 
symmetrically developed American manhood and his position as one of the 
community's representative citizens was conceded by all who knew him. 

The late Theodore Sasse was horn March 31. [830, in Germany, the son 
of Rev. Christian and Louise | Kuestring) Sasse, neither of whom ever came 
to America. Theodore n;b educated in the schools of his native country and 
came to America when he was twenty years of age. He first landed at Mi 
Orleans, and then came up the Mississippi river and settled in Evansville, 
Indiana, where he clerked in a drug store for some time. With true German 



662 GIBSON COUNTY, INDIANA. 

thrift he saved his money and within four years he was in a position to open 
a general store at Buckskin, Gibson county, Indiana. He had the foresight 
to see that this rising village was a good trading point, and especially since 
the Chicago & Eastern Illinois Railroad was being projected through the 
place at that time. In fact, Mr. Sasse was one of the promoters of the rail- 
road, which was surveyed through in 1854, but owing to financial reverses 
the railroad was not built at this time ; nevertheless the general store that Mr. 
Sasse started at Buckskin proved very successful. In addition to the general 
merchandising business which he carried on, he made money by buying and 
selling tobacco. He kept in operation a tobacco press and was probably the 
largest shipper in the county. His tobacco was shipped to Evansville by way 
of the Wabash and Erie canal until that canal was closed. By close application 
to his business affairs, Mr. Sasse acquired a very comfortable competence, but 
he did not allow his success as a business man to blind him to the moral and 
educational interests of his community. He took a great deal of interest in 
all the churches, and was a very generous giver to all the new churches in his 
community. He contributed heavily to the building of the first Evangelical 
church at Buckskin, which was the first church in that town. 

Mr. Sasse was married twice, and has one daughter by his first wife, 
Albertine. She is a nurse in a hospital at Cincinnati, Ohio. Mr. Sasse's 
second marriage occurred on November 18, 1S71, to Annette Buskuhl, the 
daughter of Frederick and Minna (Rieso) Buskuhl. Her father was a 
professor in the German schools. To this union four daughters were born, 
Mrs. Dr. V. H. Marchand, of Haubstadt, this county: Louise, who is living 
at home with her mother; Freda H., who is also at home, and Selma. The 
last three daughters live with their mother at home and have general charge 
of the large farm of more than thirteen hundred acres left by their father. 
Mr. Sasse died April 3. 1908, leaving an extensive estate, which is being suc- 
cessfully operated by his daughters, who also have the care of their invalid 
mother. 

Mr. Sas<e was a life-long Democrat, but had never sought any political 
office at the hands of his party. He was affiliated with the German Evangel- 
ical church religiously, and always contributed liberally to its support, taking 
an active interest in all the departments of its work. 

Theodore Sasse had one brother, Emil, who came to this country in 1852, 
and subsequently entered into partnership with the subject of this sketch. 
They at one time owned more than two thousand acres of land in Bartholo- 
mew township. Several years ago Emil Sasse went back to Germany on a 
visit, and upon his return to this country, the ship caught fire and he and a 



GIBSON COUNTY, [NDIANA. 66 



J 



friend of his jumped into the water and swam for about eleven hours, when 
they were rescued by a passing vessel. Emil Sasse was married in [883 to 
Caroline Dickmeyer. He always took a prominent part in Democratic poli- 
tics and served during the seventies as trustee of Barton township, this county. 
Some time later he was elected to the office of county treasurer of Gibson 
county, and discharged the important duties of that office to the entire satis- 
faction of the citizens of the county. He and his brother, Theodore, were 
very successful in the general store which they operated for so main years 
at Buckskin. 

The life of Theodore Sasse was such as to place him in a conspicuous 
position in the public eye of his township, and that which he did during his 
long life is too far-reaching to be measured in metes and bounds. He was 
certainly born to leadership, and the study of such a life cannot help hut be an 
incentive to greater activity and higher excellence on the part of the coming 
generation. He was a long time one of the most prominent commercial fac- 
tors in the affairs of his community, and in all his business enterprises he- 
stood as an admirable type of the strictly self-made man. and left a name 
which all men who knew him delight to honor, owing to his upright life and 
his habits of industry. 



GEORGE R. WELBORN. 

This utilitarian age has been especially prolific in men of action, clear 
brained men of high resolves and noble purposes, who give character and 
stability to the communities honored by their citizenship, and whose influence 
and leadership are easily discernible in the various enterprises that have added 
so greatly to the high reputation which Gibson county enjoys among her 
sister counties of this great commonwealth. Conspicuous among this class 
of men whose place of residence is in this county is the progressive citizen 
whose name appears at the head of this brief review. 

George 1\. Welborn, son of Francis M. and Lenora (Robb) VVelborn, 
was born April 7, 1868, at Owensville, Indiana. (See -ketch elsewhere in 
this volume of Francis M. Welborn. 1 George R. Welborn grew up in < Iwens- 
ville, completing his education in the common school and high school of that 
town, after which he entered DePauw University, from which institution he 
graduated in 1891 with the degree of Bachelor of Art-. He afterwards took 
a law course and graduated with the degree of Bachelor of Laws, after which 
he went to Indianapolis to open up practice at the bar, but his father'- health 



664 GIBSON COUNTY, INDIANA. 

failing, he returned to Owensville in 1894 and took charge of his father's 
business. He was very successful from the start, and in 1900 the business 
had so increased that he felt justified in erecting a modern business block. In 
that year he built a handsome brick two-story business block, all of which is 
devoted exclusively to general merchandising business. His store is equipped 
with all the latest improvements in the way of show cases and fixtures and 
conveniences which are used by stores in much larger towns. 

Mr. Welborn was married in 1893 to Lillian Heston, daughter of Joseph 
Heston, and was born and reared near Princeton, and to this union was born 
one child, who died in infancy.. Mrs. Welborn died on March 22, 1910. In 
January, 1913, Mr. Welborn married Anna Siebras, a native of this county. 

Fraternally, Mr. Welborn is a member of the Free and Accepted Masons 
and Knights of Pythias, and takes an active interest in the affairs of both 
organizations. He is an example of the modern business man who brings 
into his business relations all those qualities which stand for better citizenship. 
His college career is of undoubted advantage to him and places him in a posi- 
tion which enables him to do a great deal for his community. He has no 
ambition for public position, but devotes all of his time and attention to his 
increasing business. He has contributed much to the material advancement 
of his locality, while his admirable qualities of head and heart and his upright, 
straightforward daily life have helped the moral standing of the circle in 
which he moves, and gives him a reputation for integrity and correct conduct 
among the citizens of the communitv favored bv his residence. 



I. C. PATTEN, M. D. 



A review of the life of the honored subject of this memoir must of 
necessity be brief and general in its character. To enter fully into the inter- 
esting details of the career of the late J. C. Patten, M. D., touching the strug- 
bles of his early manhood and the success of his later years, would far 
transcend the limits of this article. He filled a large place in the ranks of 
the active, energetic and public-spirited citizens of his day and generation, 
and the memories which attached to his name and character form no incon- 
siderable chapter in the history of the county where he did his work and 
achieved his success. 

]. C. Patten was born November 28, 1823, the son of Dr. Hugh Henry 
Patten. The father was born April 30, 1796, the son of James Patten, Sr., 



o 

> 
z 

D 







p 

"ID 
> 

H 
H 
Z 





^ 



GIBSON COUNTY, INDIANA. 665 

the latter having been born November 6, 1744. and died February 3, 1818. 
James Patten, Sr., emigrated from England in early colonial days with his 
family and settled in the state of Pennsylvania. He was deeply interested in 
the struggle for the independence of his adopted country and spent his entire 
fortune in behalf of the cause of our forefathers. After the close of the 
Revolutionary war he removed to Tennessee, in which state Dr. Hugh Henry 
Patten was born, his birth occurring near Clarksville, Montgomery county. 
In 1804 the family removed to Indiana and settled on Green River island, 
above Evansville, where they started the making of a home, when an unus- 
ually destructive freshet came down the river, sweeping over the island, de- 
stroying emps. drowning cattle, and leaving the settlers there destitute. The 
Patten family, seeking higher ground, camped for a while on the site of 
Evansville's business district, where they endured great suffering in the severe 
weather of that winter. However, game was plentiful and they lived princi- 
pally on it and corn-bread made of corn beaten in the hollowed-out stump of 
a tree. Lye hominy was added to this fare. At this period there were but 
one or two houses on the river between Evansville and Vincennes, and the 
pioneers of that time on leaving their cabins went heavily armed and gen- 
erally accompanied by their dog-, as a protection against the Indians. The 
women also carried guns with them whenever they ventured any distance 
from the cabins, and many of them became expert in the use of these wea- 
pons. While the red men were greatly in the majority in this community 
at that time, they never gave any serious trouble, later, however, becoming 
more hostile as the number of settlers increased. Men's clothing was made 
principally of hides, the skin of the deer being generally chosen, as it was the 
best suited for traveling through the dense underbrush. 

The subject's father received his elementary education under the tutelage 
of Rev. Janic^ McGready and Daniel Comfort, of Henderson. Kentucky. 
and later, in 1816. entered Napan Hall. Princeton College, New Jersey, and 
on graduating in 1820 received the degree of Bachelor of ^rts from the uni- 
versity and the American Whig Society conferred on him the literary and 
scientific degree and title of Fellow of the American Whig Society. Fol- 
lowing the completion of his college course be took charge of the Warren 
Countv (Kentucky) Seminary, later chartered as a college, in which he was 
professor of mathematics. After several terms as an educator, the subject's 
father resigned, and_ on October 16, 1822. he was united in marriage with 
lane Moore, the daughter of Samuel Barclay. Sr.. of Bowling Green, Ken- 
tucky. After his resignation from the professorship, he was ordained a min- 



666 GIBSON COUNTY, INDIANA. 

ister of the Presbyterian church and served on the board of domestic mis- 
sions until his health failed, owing to hard labor and exposure. In 1834 
Dr. H. H. Patten removed to Indiana and in 1S38 commenced the practice 
of medicine, which he continued- until 1868, taking time from his professional 
duties to preach whenever the occasion appeared. 

Dr. J. C. Patten, the subject of this biographical review, was burn in 
Russellville, Tennessee, and accompanied his parents when they came to the 
Hoosier state. His early education was acquired in the schools of Princeton, 
on the completion of which he began the study of medicine in the office of- 
Dr. William G. Helm, a brother of Governor Helm, of Kentucky. He sub- 
sequently attended the Evansville Medical College, from which he graduated 
in 1850, and his first location as a practitioner was in Dale, Indiana, where he 
continued until the outbreak of the war between the states, at which time he 
volunteered his services and went to the front as a surgeon, being sent by 
Governor Morton to aid in caring for the Indiana troops after the battle of 
Corinth and later was commissioned assistant surgeon of the Fifty-eighth 
Regiment Indiana Volunteer Infantry, attached to Sherman's pontoon train. 
He served in this capacity from 1864 until the close of the war, after which 
he actively engaged in the practice of his profession, being very successful in 
building up a splendid practice. Of a modest and retiring nature, lie was one 
of the successful men of his day and became the owner of considerable prop- 
erty, valuable farm lands in the Wabash valley being among his holdings. 

On August 6, 1852, Dr. J. C. Patten was married to Louisa Marstella, 
who was born on May 30, 1835, in Baltimore, Maryland, the daughter of 
Capt. Ferdinand and Elizabeth (Walker) Marstella. The mother of the 
subject's wife first met Capt. Ferdinand Marstella while on the way across 
the ocean from England as a passenger on the boat which he commanded. 
On landing in America they were married. In 1844 the Captain was lost 
with his ship in the Gulf of Mexico and his wife died in Mexico. 

Tothe subject and wife were born eight children, namely: Hugh died 
in infancy; Samuel is engaged in business at Long Beach, California; Morgan 
lives in El Paso, Texas, being employed in the railroad shops : Jane Moore is 
at home; Elizabeth married Grant Mason, who died April 28. 1913; Gilbert 
is deceased: Annie is now Mrs. Lockwood; Lewis lives in Denver, Colorado, 
and is a traveling salesman. 

When the Doctor began the practice of medicine at the close of the Civil 
war the community was without roads or bridges, and the long trips through 
the wild country visiting patients were made on horseback, it not even being 



GIBSON COUNTY, INDIANA. 

possible to use a buggy in the work. Undaunted by privations and hardships 
of this nature, the subject was ever faithful to his chosen vocation and event- 
ually became one of the leading medical men of his day. 

In .Mrs. Patten's family there were two children, of whom bill Mrs. J. 
C. Patten is now living. Her brother, Leslie K. Marstella, who lived in 
Beebee, Arkansas, died on February 8, H)i|, he being but three years younger 
than Mrs. Patten. While in the Civil war he was aide to General Hovey, and 
while crossing in front of the enemy his horse was shot and fell upon him, 
causing him serious injury, from which, he has suffered for many years, hav- 
ing been paralyzed for a long time. 



LEMUEL EMMERSON. 



It cannot be other than interesting to note in the series of personal 
sketches appearing in this work the varying conditions that have compassed 
tin 'sc whose careers are outlined, and the effort that has been made in each 
case to throw well focused light on the individuality and to bring into proper 
perspective the scheme of each respective career. Each man wdio strives to 
fulfill his part in connection with human life and human activities is deser 
of recognition, whatever may be his field of endeavor, and it is the function of 
works of this nature to perpetuate for future generations an authentic record 
concerning those represented in its pages, and the value of such publications 
is certain to be cumulative for all time to come, showing forth the individual 
and specific accomplishments of which generic history is ever engendered. 

Lemuel Emmerson, who many years ago passed to that undiscovered 
bourne from whence no traveler returns, was born in Kentucky, and was the 
son of Hon. Jesse Emmerson. The latter came from Lincoln county. Ken- 
tucky, to Gibson count}-. Indiana, on April 10. 1809, locating on what i- now 
known as the John Martin place, between Princeton and Owensville, being 
one of the earliest settlers of that locality, lie and hi- famih floated down 
the Ohio river on flatboats to Evansville, from there coming to Princeton, 
their first cam]) being on the presenl site of Judge Lamb's residence. At that 
time but little settlement had been made in that locality, the land being cov- 
ered by a dense forest. Jesse Emmerson had been born near Culpeper, Vir- 
ginia, in 1707, and it is noteworthy that one of his family. Henry I'., is now 
an inmate of the Soldier-' Home at Lafayette, Indiana, being about eighty 
year- of age: thus two generations <•( this family have witnessed every change 



668 GIBSON COUNTY, INDIANA. 

in the history of the American colonies and states since the war of the Revo- 
lution. Jesse Emmerson was a farmer by vocation and a man of considerable 
influence in his community, having served as the first judge of the county 
court. He married Elizabeth Emmerson, probably a cousin, and to them 
were born fourteen children, twelve sons and two daughters, of whom five 
were deaf and dumb, including the immediate subject of this sketch. Of 
these fourteen children, Henry T., above referred to, is the only one living. 
After the death of his first wife, Jesse Emmerson married Hetty Blythe. 

Lemuel Emmerson, being a mute, had but little chance to secure an edu- 
cation, but being ambitious he became, through his own efforts, well informed 
and proved to be a man of more than ordinary intelligence. He possessed 
business ability of a high order and was successful in his own affairs, being 
an enterprising and progressive farmer of Patoka township, this comity, 
where his death occurred on December 12, 1845. ^ n l &3 2 Mr. Emmerson 
married Airs. Nancy Harrell, the widow of Warner Harrell and daughter of 
James and Nancy (Drikey) Dugan. James Dugan died in Tennessee and 
later his widow came to Gibson county, and after the marriage of her daugh- 
ter to Lemuel Emmer-.Mii, die became the wife of Stephen Sanders, of Ken- 
tucky. By her marriage to Mr. Harrell, Mrs. Emmerson was the mother of 
two children, Hannah Minerva and Albert. By her union with Lemuel Em- 
merson were born the following children, Mary Elizabeth, born in Patoka 
township, was married in 1854, to Charles Mead, of Gibson county, a farmer. 
He enlisted in Company E, Eightieth Regiment Indiana Volunteer Infantry, 
and served his country valiantly for three years. After his return from the 
war he again farmed in Patoka township, and later went to Brown county, 
Nebraska, but eventually came back to Gibson county, locating first at Oakland 
City and later at Fort Branch, where his death occurred in 1908. He was a 
member of the Grand Army of the Republic at Fort Branch and, religiously, 
was affiliated with the General Baptist church. He was well known in this 
county and highly respected by all. On November 12, 191 2, his widow moved 
to Oakland City, where she has since lived. They became the parents of four 
children, all of whom died young. James Reuben Emmerson, who was born 
on the old Emmerson farm in Patoka township on December 25, 1837, lived 
at Fort Branch, this county, and also in Wabash countv, Illinois. In Novem- 
ber, 1912, he located with his sister. Mrs. Mead, at Oakland City. He has 
been a farmer and also for about sixteen years has done considerable carpen- 
ter work. On March 29, i860, he married Amanda J. Montgomery, of Pa- 
toka townsbin, this county, whose death occurred in 1903, and to their union 



GIBSON COUNTY, [NDIANA. 669 

were born eight children, namely: Ida E. was twice married, first to Joseph 
Jones, and second to Jacoh Green, with whom she now lues at Evansville, 
Indiana; Charles \V.. who is a carpenter at Fort Branch, married Allie Rule; 
Lemuel M., of Riddle. Oregon, is a miner and is unmarried. I K- was a mem- 
ber of the United States army. Lucy and Lillie died unmarried; Elzora 
Jane married Mr. Rice and lives at Evansville, Indiana: a son and daughter 
died in infancy; Hannah Jane, the third child born to Lemuel and Nancy 
Emmerspn. became the wife of < ieorge A. Rutter, of < lakland City, and is now 
deceased; Melissa is the wife of Henry Vickers, a Civil war veteran, and she 
now resides at Oakland City; Lemuel O., of Oakland City, is referred to 
specifically elsewhere in this volume. All the members of this family are 
affiliated with the General Baptist church, and are Republican in their political 
views. 

Perhaps the dominant and most notable characteristic of Lemuel Emmer- 
son was his fidelity to truth and honor. He invariably sought the things that 
were honest and of good repute, teaching his children that honor and truth- 
fulness were of such commanding worth that self-interest should never under 
any circumstances set them aside. His life was an inspiration to all who 
knew him and his memory remains to his children as a blessed benediction of 
a noble and upright life. 



JONATHAN E. CLARK. 

The following is a brief sketch of one who, by close attention to busi- 
ness, has achieved marked success in the world's affairs and risen to an hon- 
orable position among the enterprising men of Gibson county, with which 
his interests have long been identified. Jonathan E. Clark is one of those 
estimable characters whose integrity and strong personality must force them 
into an admirable notoriety, which their modesty never seeks, who command 
the respect of their contemporaries and their posterity and leave the impress 
of their lives and their individuality upon the age in which they live. 

Jonathan E. Clark was born August 25, 1848, at Henry Duncan Hill, 
Patoka township, Gibson county. Indiana, the son of Cornelius and Mahala 
(Young) Clark. The father was born near Bardstown, Nelson county. Ken- 
tucky, and the mother in Christian county of the same state, the elder Clark 
being a son of Thomas Clark, of Fairfax county, Virginia, and Mahala 
Young's father was Caleb Voting, of Union county, Pennsylvania. 



67O GIBSON COUNTY, INDIANA. 

The subject's great-grandfather Clark was born in the lowlands of Scot- 
land, emigrating to America and. as stated, locating in Virginia, while one of 
his brothers who accompanied him to this country settled in the South. The 
grandfather, Thomas Clark, was a farmer. During the struggle for inde- 
pendence he enlisted from Fairfax county, on October 10, 1777, and was as- 
signed to the Tenth Virginia Regiment, Captain Conrad's company. This 
command spent the following fall and winter at Mt. Vernon, protecting the 
estate of Gen. George Washington. In the late summer of 1778 they were 
transferred to .Pennsylvania, and took part in the battle of Brandywine, 
where Thomas Clark was wounded. At the conclusion of two years' faith- 
ful service in the colonial army he received an honorable discharge, ranking 
as an orderly sergeant at the time of his muster out, the seriousness of his 
wound precluding his further service in the struggle. Subsequently he was 
married to Eleanor Mansfield and they emigrated to Kentucky, where he pre- 
empted land 011 a soldier's certificate in the district known at that time as 
Taggart county, but which was later subdivided. Many of his comrades at- 
tempted to enter land on soldiers' certificates, but their claims were not recog- 
nized on account of some fault in their papers. His being perfect, however, 
he secured his land, established a home and there passed the balance of his 
life, being a prominent man in his community, known familiarly among his 
friends as "Uncle Tom" (lark. He died in bis fifty-sixth year, in 1806. His 
sons were Abe, Thomas, Zachariah and Cornelius. Of these, two, Thomas 
and Zachariah. were with General Jackson at New Orleans. Thomas took 
part in the Indian wars in Indiana during Tecumseh's time. Zachariah, at 
the time he joined General Jackson, was but seventeen years of age and not 
subject to draft, but he went as a substitute for a "brave" man who was 
drafted but didn't want to go. The man for whom he substituted gave him 
one hundred dollars and forty acres of land. 

The subject's father, Cornelius Clark, who was well acquainted with 
General Jackson and had met him personally many times, came to Indiana in 
182 1 and settled on Henry Duncan Hill, Gibson county, his wife passing 
away two or three years after his arrival in the Hoosier state. He remained 
on the "Hill" for twelve years, when he removed to Marsh Creek, west of 
Turkey Hill, where he passed the remainder of his days. Being a great 
reader and having a remarkable memory, he was the historian of the dis- 
trict, his neighbors looking to him for the records of the early days. His 
death occurred in his fifty-seventh year as the result of an accident. Of a 
family of eleven children whom he raised, four are now living. 



I i r. -<>\ i mi \ i y, ENDIANA. < <J I 

Jonathan E. Clark, the subject of this sketch, was the eighth child and 
spent his boyhood days in Patoka township. At the age of eighteen years 
he decided to strike out for himself and went West, and the next eight years 
of his life were spent in Nebraska, where he was employed in carrying 
the mails on horseback. While thus engaged he had many exciting experi- 
ences, on two different occasions being attacked by highwaymen, but both 
times lie was successful in reaching his gun first and putting the would-be 
robbers to flight. After leaving Nebraska he spent a month in Wyoming, 
which was "wild and woolly" at that early date, then returned east, stopping 
several months in northern Illinois, and finally coming back to Gibson county, 
Indiana, where he engaged in farming. 

On October 25, 1874, the subject was united in the holy bonds of matri- 
mony to Mary F. Montgomery, daughter of John .Montgomery, of Mont- 
gomery township, Gibson count)', the son of Robert Montgomery, who was 
born in Delaware, later removing to Georgia and finally to Gibson county, 
Indiana, in 1910. To the subject and wife have been born two children. Cora, 
who married John A. Boren, and Essie, who is living at home. 

Mr. (dark ha.-, made several trips to the homes of his ancestors and has 
in his possession a number of very valuable relics, among them being a cane 
cut <iii the estate of General Jackson, also some corn grown on the same place, 
tin- Jackson In uiic place now being kept up by the Daughters of the Revolu- 
tion. During one of his trips to this historic spot, the subject met the last 
surviving slave of the general, an old negro named Alfred, who was ninety- 
eighl years of age when Mr. (dark met him. lie was cptite an interesting 
character, being full of reminiscences and being able to name all of the Gen- 
eral's famous visitors and to give the history of the heirlooms. The subject 
has always taken a keen interest in the history of pioneer days and his re- 
markable memory and wide reading have equipped him as an authority <>n 
these matters. 

Mr. (dark has a tine farm of one hundred acres, under a g 1 state oi 

cultivation, and takes justifiable pride in his live stock and horses. Me has 
never taken an active interest in politics, being content to exercise his Iran- 
chise for the candidates who m his judgment will make the best public serv- 
ants, and leaving the oftentimes unreasoning enthusiasm of the struggle for 
office to those so inclined. I le is a 1 lemocrat The subject'- wife i- a mem- 
ber of the Cumberland Presbyterian church. 



672 GIBSON COUNTY, INDIANA. 

GEORGE WASHINGTON SHULL. 

The respect which should always be accorded to the brave sons of the 
North who left homes and the peaceful pursuits of civil life to give their 
services, and their lives if need be, to preserve the integrity of the American 
Union is certainly due the gentleman to a brief review of whose life the fol- 
lowing lines are devoted. He proved his love and loyalty to the government 
on the long and tiresome marches in all kinds of situations, exposed to sum- 
mer's withering sun and winter's freezing cold, on the lonely picket line a 
target for the unseen foe, on the tented field and amid the flame and smoke 
of battle, where the rattle of musketry, mingled with the terrible concussion 
of the bursting shell and the deep diapason of the cannon's roar, made up 
the sublime but awful chorus of death. Among these valiant defenders of 
the Union and Old Glory was the subject of this sketch, and he is eminently 
entitled to representation in a work of this character. 

George Washington Shull was born in Cedarville, Ohio, January 26, 
1841, the son of Daniel and Margaret (Good) Shull, natives of the Keystone 
state. Daniel Shull's father was named George Shull, and he was a son of a 
soldier in the Revolutionary war. George Shull moved to Virginia, where he 
remained the rest of his days, following farming, the subject's father being a 
boy at the time of the family's removal to the Old Dominion. He spent his 
early life there, reached maturity and was married, and after three children 
had been born to this union they removed to Ohio, in which state seven more 
children were born, making a family of ten, i\vt sons and five daughters. The 
father spent an active life and was employed at various occupations, reaching 
the extreme age of ninety-three years. 

The subject of this review was the sixth child in the family, and passed 
his boyhood in Ohio, remaining at home until August 13, 1862, when he 
enlisted in Company D, Forty-fourth Regiment Ohio Volunteer Infantry, 
commanded by Col. Samuel Gilbert and Capt. L. W. Tully, the company 
being mustered in at Springfield, Ohio. The regiment had been organized 
eleven months previous to Mr. Shull's enlistment, and those who enlisted at 
the time Mr. Shull did were to serve and retire at the same time that those 
did who had joined previously. However, when the three years expired the 
subject and those who entered the service with him had nothing to show that 
their term was also completed. They were permitted to return to their homes 
for a visit, but had to rejoin the army and complete the balance of their time. 
From Springfield the troops with which Mr. Shull was enlisted were 





^" 1 




♦ ■ 




A v ' ^j 




»•%- ^ j 











MR. AM) MRS. CKORGK \V. SHI' 1. 1. 



GIBSON COUNTY, INDIANA. 673 

sent first to Cincinnati and from there up the Ohio river to Maysville, Ken- 
tucky, proceeding from there to Lexington, having a skirmish below Mays- 
ville, and joining their regiment at Lexington, went with it to Frankfort, 
where they were encamped for the winter. The following summer was spent 
in various parts of the Blue Grass state, putting down frequent uprisin 
they being mounted infantry at the time. In September, 1863, the) were or- 
ganized in a division of some twenty thousand men, under General Burn- 
sides. After a number of skirmishes, they were hemmed in at Knoxville, 
Tennessee, b\ a force under General Longstreet, where they were forced to 
remain inactive for five or six weeks. However, expecting General Sherman 
to arrive soon with reinforcements, General Longstreet decided to delay no 
longer and made a charge, hoping to take them prisoners before the arrival of 
Sherman. This attack was decidedly unsuccessful, be being repulsed with 
great loss, and. Sherman coming nearer next day, Longstreet withdrew into 
Virginia, being hotly pursued by the forces under Burnsid.es. On the return 
from this chase to Strawberry Plains, Tennessee, the term of enlistment of 
the Forty-fourth Infantry had expired, but with very few exceptions the nun 
of the regiment re-enlisted, they being mustered in tin's time as the Eighth 
Ohio Cavalary, under command of ' apt. Frank E. Moores. Returning for a 
brief period to (amp Dennison, Ohio, to complete the reorganization, they 
were then sent to ( harleston, West Virginia, and from that city to various 
parts of the state, being constantly on the inarch and having at least one 
skirmish a day. At Bunker Hill, between Winchester and Martinsburg, the 
subject was wounded on September 3, 1804, a bullet practical!) going entirely 
through his body. He was taken to Martinsburg, and, his case being con- 
sidered hopeless, he was practically given up for dead. However, he re- 
covered sufficiently in about two months to be removed to Sandy Hook, Mary- 
land, from there being transferred to Little York. Pennsylvania, where he 
1 given a furlough of twenty days to go home, which he did. When the 
time was up, however, instead of returning to the hospital at Little York, 
proceeded to Beverly, West Virginia, and rejoined bis regiment. The fol- 
lowing morning they vv< re attacked by the ( 'on federates and four hundred and 
eighty men were taken prisoners, Mr. Shull being among the number. They 
were taken by their captor-, to Staunton and then to Richmond, where they 
were thrown into Libbv prison, being in that noted place but a shorl time, 
when they were removed to Crew iv Pemberton's tobacco ise, just 

across the streel from the prison. In this typical Southern prison pen the 

(43) 



674 GIBSON OM'N'TY, INDIANA. 

subject and his comrades were confined for about three months. Food was 
scarce, conditions unsanitary and treatment bad, and it is astonishing that 
Mr. Shull, in his weakened condition, due to his wound, stood it. After three 
long and Hying months they were exchanged and taken to Annapolis, Mary- 
land, and from there sent to Camp Chase, Ohio, where they were granted a 
furlough of thirty days. Even after tins long period the subject's wound was 
seriously troubling him, pieces of bone continuing to come out of his side. 
At the expiration of his furlough, Mr. Shull and his companions rejoined 
their old command at Beverly, Virginia, but, their term of enlistment soon 
expiring, and the war being practically over, they were sent to Columbus, 
Ohio, where Mr. Shull was honorably discharged as corporal of Company D, 
Eighth Ohio Calavry, and was mustered out. Mr. Shull was in the follow- 
ing battles: Lewisburg, Virginia, Moss) Creek, Lynchburg, Winchester, 
Beverly, Harper's Ferry. Martinsburg, Blain's Cross Roads, Bunker's Hill, 
Moorfield, Piedmont, Flat Rock. Kentucky, Hickman, Dutton Hill, Cumber- 
land Gap, Tennessee, Louden, Knoxville and Cedar Creek. Aftr spending a 
month at his home, he came to Indiana and li icated at Princeton, Gibson 
county, where he engaged in agricultural pursuits, which he followed con- 
tinously up until his retirement. 

On March 7, i860. Air. Shull was married to Minerva L. Finney, daugh- 
ter of J. K. and Laurina Finney, who were early settlers in the Hoosier state. 
To this union were born six children, namely : John K. resides in Indian- 
apolis ; Nellie L., now Mrs. Lowe, lives in Evansville, Indiana; Addie is now 
Mrs. Henry Lowe, and lives at Fort Branch; Burton O. makes his home in 
Belleville, Illinois; Zella Z. is Mrs. Blessing, and resides in Cleveland, Ohio; 
Lola C. is at home. 

Mr. Shull has taken an active part in the affairs of his county and has 
been honored by his fellow citizens many times. He served as supervisor of 
his township and for four years was a member of the town board, having also 
been treasurer of Gibson county for one term, in all of which positions of 
trust he acquitted himself in a creditable manner and to the entire satisfaction 
of his constituents. For the last twenty-five years Mr. Shull has taken an 
active interest in the Gibson County Agricultural Fair Association and has 
held all the offices in that body with the exception of president and general 
superintendent. He is a member of the local post of the Grand Army of the 
Republic. His interest and activities in so many lines are all the more re- 
markable when it is noted that he has suffered a great deal on account of the 
wound received while in the army. However, his mind has risen superior to 



GIBSON COUNTY, INDIANA. 675 

this bodily handicap and he has filled a large and important place in his com- 
munity. 

Mr. Shull and his family occupy a splendid modern residence in I 
Branch, where he is now living in honorable retirement after a long life of 
strenuous and successful endeavor. Religiously, they are members of the 
Methodist Episcopal church at Fort Branch, while, politically, Mr. Shull has 
always been a Republican and active in local public affairs. 



1) Wll) ST< >RMONT. 



Having been requested to qontribute some reminiscences relating to the 
late David Stormont and his times, I have here endeavored to recount some 
of the happenings of past days and thus throw some light on many events 
which have probably passed from the memory of even those who knew 
of them. 

As to David Stormont's relations with the "underground railroad," I 
have heard him say that he always fed the hungry and clothed the naked, and 
that when the slave came t<> his house on his way North, he fed and clothed 
him. I have heard father say that it was very hard for him to get No. 12 
shoes sometimes, the fact that he often had to do without causing suspicion 
that he was not buying them fur his own family. At one time two young 
colored men came to his house, and he put them to work hoeing corn with 
himself in a field not far from the house. Soon a stranger was seen riding 
up the lane and one of the young men said it was his master, who, however, 
rode on by without recognizing his slave. The colored boys told their story. 
which was to the effect that they hail swam the Ohio river, their clothes being 
lied on the back of their necks. On reaching the northern shore and when 
about to redress, they were frightened by the approach of some one and ran 
away, leaving then- clothes. They succeeded in getting other clothing else- 
where, and it was doubtless because of this change in their clothing that their 
master did not recognize them. At another time a colored refugee was in my 
father's hack yard when he saw his master p;h^ the house on horseback. At 
another lime I remember a white man and a negro came to mj father's and 
asked for a lot of things, especially money, but father, deeming them spies, 
gave them nothing. A man who had been directed to father's house was 
asked when he had first heard of this house as a station on the "underground 
railroad." and he said that he had heard of it hack in Georgia before he left 



676 GIBSON COUNTY, INDIANA. 

home. At another time father ami mother went to spend the day with a 
friend some distance from home, and when they got there they found a slave 
tied in the kitchen. My mother got them to release him, but eventually he 
was sent back to his master. Many ethers, perhaps hundreds, passed by that 
way, all of whom he fed if hungry and clothed if naked. When the slave 
hunters or masters came along, he also fed them, and when they inquired 
as to directions he pointed them to the North star, but they got little informa- 
tion from him as to the next station on the "underground railroad." Some- 
times they threatened to take him out and whip him or kill him if he did not 
tell where he had negroes hid. and they watched his house for weeks at a 
time trying to get proof of his harboring negroes. \t one time, it must have 
lieen about [854 or 1855, he went one evening, just before dark, to see a sick 
neighbor. He was on horseback and suddenly came across a party of ten 
or a dozen men. whose horses were tied and who were plentifully supplied 
with whiskey. They were having a very social time and were feeling pretty 
good. While there, one of them confided in father that they were intending 
that night to go to his house, take him out and whip him in an effort to make 
him tell where he had negroes hidden. ( As a matter of fact, he had none 
hidden at that time.) He went on to see his sick Democratic friend, who was 
a true friend to him. and sat up with him a short time. He told what he had 
heard and seen and that he was going home. It was arranged that he should 
ride over fields and yet into his 1'oii-e by the back way. However, after rid- 
ing part of the way, he turned his horse loose and proceeded the rest of the 
way on foot, succeeding in getting into the house in safety. He then ac- 
quainted my mother with the situation, and said that he would sit at the east 
window, with rifle in hand, and that as fast as he fired she was to hand him 
a loaded gun and reload the empty rifle. He said he would surely get some 
of them, for he intended to shoot to kill. The next morning the boys rode 
a ways up the road and found where the gang's horses had been tied, indi- 
cations being that they had remained there a good part of the night. Father 
had made •Arrangements to be away from home the next night, but some of us 
thought he had better not go. However, he said he intended to go about 
his business just as he used to. So he armed himself and went on his way 
as if he had nothing on his mind. During this time my mother never let the 
tire die out in the stove, for she said if their enemies came around and did 
not behave themselves just right she would scald their eyes out; to this end, 
die always kept a boiler full of hot water on the stove. However, they were 
never permitted to seriously molest father or any of his family, though some- 
times shots were fired over our heads from the big hill back of the house. 



I ii.". COUNTY, INDIAN \. I t'J 

Aboul tins time my brother Joseph was standing near a crowd of men 
in Princeton and father came along, stopping to shake hands and speak to 

each of the men, who said. "How do you do, Uncle David," as he was gen- 
erally known throughout the community. After he left one of the men said 
to another, "I could cut his heart out, the old abolitionist." Brother told fa- 
ther what the man had said, but would never tell him who said it. 

In those days it meant much to openly avow one's self in favor of 
abolition, and at first but few did so. 

Regarding these incidents, I was asked the question, "What recompense 
was there for your father in all this? Why would he spend his time and 
money and risk his property and the lives of his family and himself for such 
a cause;" Now, to answer these questions, why was it that my forefathers 
left Scotland, at the time of the Reformation, when many Presbyterians were 
put to death because they would not worship according to the dictates of the 
King'. They believed that they had the right to worship God according to the 
dictates of their own consciences. Their ministers were not allowed to preach 
or hold meetings, at the risk of being hunted down and shot to death or 
burned at the stake. It was then that my forefathers became Dissenter — 
that is. they neither voted nor held office. Then the}' entered into a covenant 
with God, promising that if he would do certain things for them they would 
likewise perform certain things for God, and from this they became known as 
Covenanters. Then, rather than deny their God, or be persecuted for their 
belief, they left Scotland and settled in Ireland. Was not that done for prin- 
ciple's sake? And why was it that my grandfather. Samuel Stormont, at 
about the time of the Revolutionary war, left Belfast, Ireland, and settled in 
Chester district. South Carolina. And why was it that be did not accept a 
large estate willed to him by an uncle. General Stormont, a bachelor. Grand- 
father said he would have none of the ill-gotten gains of his uncle, who was 
on the wrong side, fighting for England against the United States, although 
at that time my grandfather, David Stormont, was poor and needed money 
badly? Then when grandfather saw the evils of slavery and when he came 
to his death bed. be said to bis wife. "You make one sale and sell everything 
here and move to Indiana." for be did not want his family reared in a slave 
state. They disposed of everything excepting forty "acres of land ( and which 
they never afterwards realized anything on) and in the spring of l8ll 
started on their long journey. Their effects were loaded into a one-horse 
cart, and the family comprised eight children, the oldest of whom was a 
girl about twenty years old and the youngest, a DO) of live years. Reaching 
Kentucky, they stopped for about a year at the home of a cousin. Mr. Hage- 



6/8 GIBSON COUNTY, INDIANA. 

wood. In the fall of 1812 they came to Princeton, settling near where the 
Archer cemetery is now. Soon afterwards they bought land and located 
about a mile further west on land now owned by the writer. Father was then 
about ten years old, and. with the other members of the family, had to work 
very hard to make a living, for which reason also he had but little chance 
for securing an education. Then again, what caused my father, in 1833, 
when there was a separation in the Reformed Presbyterian church, to remain 
faithful to the old church, he and his wife being the only ones who did not 
join the New-Lights the first Sabbath. The second Sabbath he and his 
brother Robert and their families held prayer-meeting. Principle was back of 
all this. What caused my father to befriend the low, degraded, down-trodden 
negro? Was it for financial profit or the applause of men? No, for at that 
time the must unpopular doctrine imaginable was that of abolitionism, that 
all men are created free and equal. 

Well, you say, what kind of religion had he? What church did he belong 
to. and what was his doctrine and creed? He belonged to the Reformed 
Presbyterian church (Old Light), the fruit of a long line of Dissenters, who 
neither voted nor held office. They neither held office nor voted because to 
hold office they had to take an immoral oath. The oath which the President is 
required to take does not contain the name of God, and the Constitution, as 
we believe, is unchristian. It says. "We, the people." and does not give God 
and ( linM the glory that is due his name. We believe that Christ is King of 
Kings and Lord of Lord--, and we think the Constitution should acknowledge 
Him as such. Then the laws are not in accordance with the laws of God. 
For instance, in slavery days they arrested a negro, who was trying to get to 
Canada, and tried him according to the laws of Indiana, which laws would 
send him back into slavery; whereas, we believed that the white man had no 
right to hold the negro as a slave, according to the word of God. As we were 
bound to obey God's law rather than those of men, we, as Dissenters, could 
not sit as jurors. As to taking the oaths of office, many of these oaths we 
could not take; for instance, that of county commissioner, who is sworn to 
carry out the laws pertaining to his office. There comes a man who has ful- 
filled the requirements of the law regarding his character, and the commis- 
sioner, under his oath, is bound to grant that man a license to sell liquor. 
We deem it wrong to deal in that which kills both soul and body, therefore we 
could not hold such an office, neither could we vote for some one else who 
would be compelled to take an oath to do what we could not do ourselves. 
The question is asked why the undersigned did not vote in 1912 to put the 
saloons out of Princeton for the next two years, when I believe so strongly 



GIBSON Cl H X I S . CND] VNA. 

in prohibition. It was because of principle. I E we vote we become a part of 
the government and a part of the governing body. We claim to be a part 
of the nation, as we were born here, but we do not become a part of the gi 
ernment until we exercise the right to vote and hold office, Consequently, 
we are Dissenters. Riley Stormont. 



THOMAS ALFRED MANGRUM. 

Among the fanners of Gibson county, Indiana, who believe in folli 
ing twentieth century methods is Thomas Alfred Mangrum, of Union town- 
ship, Ins family on both sides dating back to the pioneer days of the county 
and state, and lias always been known for right living and industrial habits, 
for education and morality, and for all that contributes to the welfare of the 
rimonwealth. Such people are always welcome in any community, for 
they are empire builders and as such have pushed the frontier of civilization 
ever westward and onward, leaving the green, wide-spreading wiklerm 
the far-stretching plains populous with contented people and beautiful green 
fields. The Mangrum, Emerson and Montgomery families are among the 
oldest and best respected people of this county. They have figured largely 
in its development, and their many descendants have contributed to the ma- 
terial advancement of the community. Their neighbors and acquaintances 
all respect them, and the young generation who is to come will listen with 
reverence to the story of the lives of such people as these. They have always 
i the ad- if wholesome living and cleanliness in politics as well, and 

have alwaj si I for the highest and best interests of the community in 

which the) have lived. The subject of this sketch has always exerted a strong 
influence for good in his locality, being a man of upright principles and de- 
sirous of seeing the advancement of his community along moral, educational 
and material lines. He i< a man of high moral character, unimpeachable 
integrity, persistenl industry and excellent business judgment, and through- 
out the locality where he has lived all his life he occupies an enviable position 
among his fellow men. among whom he is universally esteemed for his many 
good qualities. The study of such a life cannot hut lie of help to the young 
people who are now growing into maturity in this county. 

Thomas Alfred Mangrum spent his boyhood days on the home farm, 
following the career which falls to the lot of the average country youth. He 
was married <m March 23, [884, to Anna I.. Emerson, of Johnson township, 
this countv. She was the daughter of James Logan and Nancy (Mounts) 



68o GIBSON COUNTY. INDIANA. 

Emerson. Mr. Emerson was born in 1817, and his wife February 21, 1821, 
and they were united in marriage November 7, 1839, and reared their family 
on a farm about five miles south of Owensville in Johnson township. Mr. 
Emerson was one of the best farmers in the county, and was recognized as 
one of the leading citizens. The public schools never had a more loyal sup- 
porter than he, and his children received the best education which the county 
could - give. Several of them became teachers in after life. Mr. Emerson's 
grandmother was a sister to General Logan, of Revolutionary fame. Mr. 
Emerson was public-spirited and always ready to assist young men to make 
a start in life. He often loaned them money without security and depended 
upon their honor and integrity to repay them. It is doubtful whether his 
confidence was ever betrayed. He had an interesting way of giving monev to 
his children. When each of them reached the age of twenty-one he gave 
them one thousand dollars and took their note for the same. Mr. and Mrs. 
Emerson reared a large family of children, three of whom died in infancy. 
Mrs. Mangrum, the wife of the subject of this sketch, was the eleventh child. 
Mr^. Emerson came of one of the pioneer families of the state. Her father, 
Garrett Mounts, was a man of great physical strength, and was noted for his 
many sterling qualities of character, being one of the prominent citizens of 
the county. He married Patsy Montgomery, daughter of Joseph Mont- 
gomery, Sr.. December 14, 18 19. 

Mr. and Mrs. T. A. Mangrum were the parents of three children, Cloyd, 
who is married and living on a farm in Montgomery township ; Ida. who 
married George C. May. of Salt Lake ( 'ity, Utah, and Ola, who is still living 
under the parental roof. Mr. Mangrum continued to live on his father's 
farm for some time after his marriage, and when his father retired from 
active work on the farm and moved to Owensville he rented the farm for 
four years. He proved to be a very successful farmer and was enabled to 
purchase a farm of his own. In 1891 he moved southwest of Owensville, 
Indiana, and in 1894 to his present farm, the Bailey Williams place. The 
last one hundred acres which he bought commanded the highest price which 
was ever paid for land in this county, and he considers that the land was well 
worth the one hundred and sixty dollars per acre which he paid for it. His 
principal crop is corn, which he feeds to hogs, and he makes a specialty of 
raising the Hampshire breed of swine, considering them the best that can be 
raised for the market. He does not deal exclusively in hogs, but also raises 
hi irses and cattle for the market. His present farm comprises about three 
hundred acres, all in a good state of cultivation. 

Mr. Mangrum is a loyal and earnest member of the General Baptist 



GIBSON COrXTV, INDIANA. 68] 

church, while his wife is affiliated with the Christian church, and arc liberal 
contributors to the support of their respective churches and take an active 
part in all the various departments of church work. Politically he is a Pro- 
gressive, though in local elections he always votes for the best men for office, 
regardless of politics. Mr. Mangrum has a fine countr) residence and good 
barns and outbuildings. His farm is die of the best fenced and improved 
farms of the county. He is a man of liberal, progressive and up-to-date 
views on all questions of the day. and is a firm believer in education, church 
work and in all movements which go to make a better community. Tn order 
that his children might have the advantage of a trip to the west, he and his 
family made a trip of nearly two years, 1904 and [905, to the West, spending 
this time in California and other Western states, visiting all places of interest 
beyond the Rocky mountains. Mr. Mangrum is one of those men who has 
lived his life to good purpose and achieved a much greater degree of success 
than falls to the lot of the ordinary individual. By a straightforward and 
commendable course, he has made his way to a respectable position in the 
v rid, winning the esteem and hearty approbation of his fellow citizens and 
earning the reputation of an enterprising man of affairs which the public has 
1111', been slow to recognize and appreciate. 



FRANCIS M. WELBORN. 

The prosperity and substantial welfare of a community are in a large 
measure due to the enterprise and wise foresight of its business men. It is 
the progressive, wide-awake men of affairs that make the real history of a 
community, and their influence in shaping and directing its varied interests 
is difficult to estimate The well known gentleman of whom the biographer 
writes in this connection has long ranked among the leading business men oi 
Gibson countw and it is to such enterprising spirits as he that the locality is 
indebted for its recent substantial growth and for the high position it occupies 
as a center of industrial activity and progress. 

Francis \l. Welborn, the son of Samuel P. and Mary (Walters) Wel- 
born, was born December 30, 183c;. two and one hall' miles west of Owens- 
ville. His father, Samuel P. Welborn, was born in Guilford count}'. North 
Carolina, the son of Moses Welborn, who moved to Indiana in an early day 
and settled near Mt. Vernon, in Posey county, on what was then called Dry 
fork of Big creek, and here he lived the life of the early pioneer farmer and 



682 GIBSON COUNTY, INDIANA. 

here his <!ealh occurred caused by cholera when that disease was raging 
throughout the state in the early fifties. Samuel P. Welborn spent his boyhood 
days on the farm near Mt. Vernon, and when he was nearly grown came to 
Montgomery township, this county, and worked on a farm for Risey Waters. 
While working for Mr. Waters, he became acquainted with his daughter, 
Mary, and in due course of time they were married, and they continued to 
reside on her father's farm until his death. In addition to his occupation as 
a farmer, Mr. Welborn and his two brothers operated a sawmill for several 
years. Samuel Welborn was a man of more than ordinary ability and his 
sterling worth as a citizen was recognized by the Democratic party, of which 
he was a faithful constituent, by being nominated for the office of county 
treasurer, to which office he was elected by a big majority and served four 
years in this capacity before the Civil war. 

Francis M. Welborn grew up on bis father's farm. Tn i860 he went 
into partnership with his father and two others in the pork packing business 
and in this enterprise was very successful. In the fall of 1861 he came to 
Owensville and entered into partnership with Leroy Martin in a general store. 
He continued in this partnership until 1864, when he sold out his interest and 
entered into a partnership with James Montgomery in general merchandising. 
This firm continued in this business for about four years, when Mr. Mont- 
gomery sold his interest to Harmon & Summers, the firm name being after- 
ward known as Welborn & Summers Company. This partnership continued 
for many years and they gradually built up a large and lucrative business in 
the community. After some years Mr. Welborn engaged in business with his 
wife's father, John W. Robb, and they continued in joint partnership until 
1894, when Francis M. Welborn sold his share in the business to his son, 
George R. and retired from active participation in the conduct of the com- 
pany. However, the old habits of industry could not be thrown off at once 
and he puts in full time at the store, just as he has done for the past forty 
years when he was an active partner. 

Francis M. Welborn w ; as married to Lenora A. Robb. the daughter of 
John W. Robb. Mrs. Welborn was born and reared at Stewartsville, Posey 
county, this state, where her father also was born, and where he followed the 
occupation of a farmer and was also a merchant at Stewartsville. Mr. 
Robb's parents came to this state at a very early date, and some of his people 
were among the first settlers in Gibson county, near Hazleton. To Mr. and 
Airs. Welborn has been born one son, George R., who is represented elsewhere 
in this work. 

Francis M. Welborn is a well preserved man and in good health at the 



GIBSON COl lY, INDIANA. I 183 

age of seventy-four, and is still able to put in a full day's work in the store. 
He attributes this to his frugal \\;i\ of living during all his life. Through a 
long and busy life, full of honor and success, he has always been actuated by 
the highest motives. His has been a life of honest ami persistent or, 

such as always brings a true appreciation of the real value o 
ence, a condition that must he prolific of good results in all the relation 
life. He can look back over a life well spent in the sen ire of his fellow men. 



VIRGIL R. CARTER, M. D. 

The mosl 1 e history is necessarily a merciless abridgment, the 

hist rig compelled to select his facts and materials from manifold de- 

tails. In every life of honor and usefulness there is no dearth of incident, 
and yet in summing up the career of any man the writer must needs touch 
only the more salient points, giving the keynote of the character but elimi- 
nating all that is superfluous. Within the pages of this work will be found 
mention of many prominent and influential citizens wb :s have been 

practically passed in Gibson county and who are representatives of sturdy 
pioneer families. Among this class is the subject of this sketch, who occup 
a prominent place in tin- ranks of the representative men of his community. 

Virgil R. Carter, V. D., was horn January 17. 1863, in Johnson town- 
ship, Gibson county, Indiana, the son of John VV. ami Martha (Emerson) 
rter. ["he subject's mother, who was a native of Gibson count}-, is now 
living with, the Doctor and is enjoying good health. The father, John \\\, 
was born in Posey enmity, Indiana, in 1841, and died in November, 1895, at 
the age of fifty-five years. 

d'he pal randfather of the subject was named Rane Carter, who 

married in Kentucky and brought his family to Indiana at an early date, 
settling in I 1 mly, where he remained the rest of his days, dying in his 

seventy-ninth year, his entire life having been spent in the pursuit of farm- 
ing. To Kane Carter and wife were horn twelve children, only one of whom 
died iii infancy, the remaining eleven living to ripe old ages, there being a 
period of sixty years without a death, and when the subject's father died 
there were ten of his brothers ami sisters still living, the youngest being fifty- 
two years ,,f age. The eldest brother, James B. Carter, died in August, 1913, 
at the age of eighty-seven, the average' age of this remarkably long-lived 
family being eighty years. 



684 GIBSON COUNTY, INDIANA. 

John W. Carter, the subject's father, enlisted in Company F, Eightieth 
Regiment Indiana Volunteer Infantry, in 1862, and served until the close of 
the war. being wounded at the battle of Resaca. He was a comrade of John 
Mangrum, a review of whose war record is given elsewhere in this work. 
In this sanguinary conflict for the preservation of the Union the family took 
a part that is worthy of more than passing note. Enlisted in the Union army 
were the subject's father, his brothers, James P., Benjamin, Samuel, John W. 
and Rane, besides two brothers-in-law and nephews innumerable. All lived 
through the war, though one of the brothers, Benjamin, received a wound in 
the service from the effects of which he died after returning home. A fam- 
ilv record of five sons in the army is exceptional, and it is also interesting to 
note that the husbands of two of the daughters were also in the conflict. One 
of the daughters, Mrs. Eliza McConnell, made a long and dangerous trip 
to the front to visit her husband, who was seriously ill, and was successful in 
reaching him and bringing him home, where he soon afterward died. The 
oldest son of this daughter was also a soldier and died or was killed in the 
service. On the death of her husband, Franklin McConnell, his widow, Eliza, 
was left with the care of six children. 

On the close of the Civil war the subject's father returned to Johnson 
township, (ii!>s,,n county, his wife having remained with her father while he 
was in the army. They soon after located in Union township, where they 
remained during their more active days, removing to Princeton in 1892. On 
his removal to the latter place he was elected township trustee and was effi- 
ciently discharging the duties of that office at the time of his death. 

To the subject's parents were born three children: Virgil R.. the subject 
of this sketch, is the oldest; Albert E. died January 18. 1890. in his twenty- 
third year: Laura was married to George E. Daugherty. of Princeton, and 
died Februarv 20, 1898, in Mexico, where she had been taken in an attempt to 
restore her failing health. The father of the subject was incapacitated 
physically for some years owing to a wound which he received in the 
Civil war. 

\ "irgil R. ( arter's elementary education was received in the district 
schools, supplemented by a course in the high school at Owensville, he then 
entering on a scientific course in the Union Christian College at Merom. In- 
diana, from which he was graduated in 1887. After teaching school for a 
brief period, the subject, deciding on the practice of medicine for his life 
work, entered the Eclectic Medical Institute at Cincinnati, graduating in June, 
1890, and immediately engaging in the practice of his profession in Cynthi- 
ana, Posey county, and later at Toledo, Illinois. 



GIBSON COUNTY, INDIANA. 685 

In iN<iN. after the death of the Doctor's father, he returner] to Gibson 
county, and. retiring from the active work of medicine, located on the farm, 
to the cultivation of which he has since devoted Ins energies. Large crops of 
corn and the best of registered live stock have been the chief products of his 
splendid agricultural plant, on which he has a fine modern residence and the 
best of farm buildings. For some time after his father's death, the Doctor 
had twenty aunts and uncles living, all bl 1 relatives. 

Doctor Carter was thrice married, first to Turia Buff, daughter of Dr. 
B F. Duff, of Illinois, in 1890, she dying about a year after the marriagi 
In November, [895, the subject was united in matrimony to .Mrs. Clara Lo- 
gan, of Toledo, Illinois, who died in 1897. The Doctor's present wife was 
Mattie Eaton, of Crawford county, Indiana. The subject's four children are 
named Lowell I... John \Y., James and Glen. 

Doctor Carter has been honored by election to a number of important 
township offices and has served as county assessor four years. In 1910 he 
was president of the Farmers' Institute, which he promoted, and the first corn 
school contest among the farmers' boys was instigated by him. 

Fraternally, the Doctor belongs to the Independent Order of Odd Fel- 
lows and the Tribe of Ben-Hur, while he and his wife are members of the 
General Baptist church, [lis mother is a member of the Christian church. 
Politically, the Doctor's faith is. like that of his father, in harmony with the 
platforms of the Republican party. 



JAMES II. ARMSTRONG. 

Agriculture has always been an honorable vocation and ai the present 
time the agricultural output of the United States is more than equivalent to 
the total output of all the factories of the country put together. There is one 
thing in the life of a farmer which distinguishes it from any other occupation, 
and, that is his ability to exist independent!) of every other vocation. The 
merchant, the banker, the manufacturer, all depend absolutely on the farmer's 
crops. A famine throughout this country would bankrupt the strongest 
merchant, wreck the largest bank and close the most extensive factory, r.tisi- 
ness men can see their business collapse within a week, but nothing short of 
an earthquake can ruin the farmer. Land is as it always has been— the most 
favorable financial investment. Panic may sweep the manufacturer out of 
business over night, but the farmer can survive when every other industry 



686 GIBSON COUNTY, INDIANA. 

falls. Therefore, the farmer is the backbone of the nation and he who makes 
two blades of grass grow where but one formerly grew, is performing the 
most useful mission of man. Gibson county farmers are as good as can be 
found anywhere in the world, and their history is largely the history of the 
material advancement of the county. Among Gibson county's excellent 
farmers, there is none more deserving of recognition in this day of biography 
than is the gentleman whose name appears at the head of this sketch. 

James H. Armstrong, the son of William S. and Emily (Smith) Arm- 
strong, was born March 31, 1858, four miles northeast of Owensville. His 
father was a native of Vanderburg county, this state, his birth having oc- 
curred there on May 1, 1S24. His wife was a native of Gibson county, and 
was born November 24, 1827. William Armstrong was a farmer all his life 
and reared a large family of children to spheres of influence. He continued 
to reside in Vanderburg county until after his marriage, in 1846, when he 
came to Gibson county and purchased one hundred and ninety acres of land, 
part of which is now owned by his son, James H. He combined the raising 
of live stock with his general farming and was uniformly successful in all his 
financial dealings. He was an active Democrat, but never sought public 
office, although he served as township trustee for several terms before the 
present constitution went into effect in 1852. Before that date each town- 
ship in his county had three trustees, a system which went out of use upon 
the adoption of the present constitution. He and his wife were both loyal 
and earnest members of the Regular Baptist church of Owensville, and he 
held the office of deacon in the church, taking a very active part in all of the 
various departments of church work. He was always a hard worker, and 
attended to his business with such application that he was able to give his 
large family all of the advantages which were obtainable. Mr. and Mrs. 
William Armstrong were the parents of a large family, five of whom are 
still living: Willis, a farmer of this county; Warrick, also a farmer of the 
county; one who died in infancy; John, who lives in Kansas: Morgan, de- 
ceased; James H., the immediate subject of this sketch; Mary, deceased in 
1888. and Pinkney, a farmer of Gibson county. William Armstrong died 
on July 24, 1877, and his widow survived him many years, her death oc- 
curring on January 2, 1901. 

James H. Armstrong, the subject of this sketch, was married on July 6, 
1879, to Lela G. Bingham, daughter of Garner and Jane (Roberts) Bingham. 
Her father was a native of this county and followed the occupation of a 
farmer during his lifetime. Mrs. Bingham was also a native of this county 



GIBSON COUNTY, INDIAN \. 687 

and died in 1876, her husband surviving her until [901. Mr. and Mrs. Arm- 
strong were the parents of ten children, Charles, who died at the age of thir- 
teen months; Mary, the wife of John S. Cushman, a farmer of Posey county, 
this state, has one child, Grace; Harvey, who married Florence Brnmficld, 
operates a farm in Montgomery township, and has two children, Roy and 
Margerite May; Lemuel G., who married Nettie Spore, is a farmer in Patoka 
township, this county, and had one son. Gerald, who is dead; William Edgar, 
the twin brother of Lemuel G., who lives at home and helps his father, 
James H., on the farm; Elva, the wife of Orville Spore, who died on August 
12, 1913: John, who married Edith Woods, is a farmer of this township; 
Flora and Ruth are still at home; Herschell died at the early a.i, r e of six 
months. 

James IT. Armstrong enjoyed all the pleasures and disadvantages of 
the average boy on the farm. He attended the district schools in the winter 
seasons and performed such work as falls to the lot of the ordinary country 
how After graduating from the common schools he completed the course 
in the Owensville high school, from which he graduated with honor to him- 
self, and started out on his active career at the age of twenty-one years, when 
he married and bought some land in the township where he still lives. By 
the exercise of good business judgment and economical habits of life he 
added to his holdings from time to time until he is now the owner of two 
hundred and fifty acres of as good land as can be found in the county. He 
combines stock raising with his general farming and has been more than 
ordinarily successful in all of his financial transactions. He keeps well in- 
formed on all of the new methods in farming and keeps his farm well sup- 
plied with the most modern implements for the carrying on of agriculture. 
His reputation for honesty and square dealing has won for him the esteem 
of all with whom he comes in contact. 

Although he has always been a Democrat, Mr. Armstrong has never 
taken an active part in the deliberations of his party. However, the citizens 
of his township thrust upon him the office of township assessor, which he 
continued to hold for some time. Fraternally, he is a member of the Modern 
Woodmen of America. Personally. Mr. Armstrong is one of the mosl genial 
and good natured men in the community. Tie is companionable, charitable to 
his neighbors' faults and always looks on the bright side of life. With him 
optimism is a religion and his smile radiates sunshine in every direction. His 
wife is a loval and earnest member of the Cumberland Presbyterian church, 
and is whollv devoted to home and domestic duties, doing during all the best 



688 GIBSON COUNTY, INDIANA. 

years of her life the lowly but sacred work which comes within her sphere. 
Through all the long years she has worked with her husband and children, 
and in her gentle, tender and loving way merits no small share in her hus- 
band's success. 



ELIJAH L. LINCOLN. 

It is by no means an easy task to describe within the limits of this review 
a man who has led an active and eminently useful life and by his own exer- 
tions reached a position of honor and respect in the community. But biog- 
raphy finds justification, nevertheless, in the tracing and recording of such 
a life history, as the public claims a certain property interest in the career of 
every individual and the time invariably arrives when it becomes advisable to 
give the right publicity. It is, then, with a certain degree of satisfaction that 
the chronicler essays the task of touching briefly upon such a record as has 
been that of the subject who now comes under this review. 

Elijah Lincoln was burn in September, 1832, the son of Leonard and 
Nancy (Dick) Lincoln. The father, who was a first cousin of the immortal 
Abraham Lincoln, was born in Kentucky and was married in the "Buckeye 
state, where he spent the remainder of his days, he dying when the subject was 
a boy. Elijah Lincoln lived in Zanesville, Ohio, until he was sixteen years 
old, when he joined his brother Robert, who had been in Illinois for five years. 
Two years later his brother John located with them and in two more years 
the mother also removed to Illinois, the family being located in Licken town- 
ship, Crawford count}'. 

After learning the cooper's trade, Mr. Lincoln made a trip to Xew 
Orleans and on his return settled in Gibson count} - , Indiana, where he farmed 
for several years and worked at his trade at intervals, continuing this until 
the 1 'ike's Peak gold excitement in [859, when he went west. One summer 
was spent on Chicago Bar. about sixty miles from Denver, a bare subsistence 
being all that the gold hunters could gain in that district. Air. Lincoln then 
engaged in teaming, hauling hay and other goods. He would purchase hay 
at ten dollars a load, and after hauling it into the mountains was enabled to 
sell it for one hundred dollars a load. He followed this lucrative business for 
about three years, but, being desirous of joining the army, he returned to 
Gibson county, and in August. 1862. enlisted in Company P>. Fifty-eighth 
Indiana Volunteer Infantry, commanded by Colonel Emerv and Captain 




ELIJAH L. LINCOLN. 



GIBSON COUNTY, INDIANA. 689 

Smith. He was mustered in at Princeton and joined his regiment at Indi- 
anapolis, where he was stationed five weeks. From the Hoosier capital they 
were sent to Louisville and then to Bardstown, Kentucky, where they joined 
General Wood's command and proceeded with it to Nashville and then to 
Murfreesboro, Lennessee, where they were engaged in some severe fighting. 
Their next move was to Chattanooga, where they pursued General Bragg up 
inary Ridge, trying to cut him oft*. General Bragg, however, 
after passing Missionary Ridge, was reinforced by General Longstreet and a 
hot fight ensued, during which Mr. Lincoln was shot in the left foot. General 
Thomas holding the Confederates in check, the subject's command was en- 
abled to retire to Chattanooga. Mr. Lincoln's regiment, with fifteen hundred 
wounded men, was taken to Nashville in a freight train, where he remained 
in a hospital for fifteen days. At the expiration of this time he was granted 
a furlough for thirty days, which he spent at home, returning at the end of 
that time to his regiment, which had been in winter quarters. In a short 
time the regiment was returned to Indiana, where it remained until April, 
when it was again called into active service, the next engagement being at 
Buzzard Roost. Mr. Lincoln was then detailed to join a few men who had 
been left in Chattanooga in charge of supplies and equipments which could 
not be carried at the time. These supplies were taken in charge and in June 
Mr. Lincoln and his companions caught up with their command, at Big 
Shanty. this place they proceeded to Atlanta and joined General Sher- 

man 111 his famous "march to the sea." The regiment a^ 5 i<ted in driving the 
Confederates out of Savannah, after which they occupied that place for sev- 
eral weeks, and then marched sixty miles to Sister's Perry, and from there 
went to Goldsboro, where they remained a short time, from there being dis- 
patched to head ti\i General John rmy, which had not yet surrender 
While laying a bridge across the river they received the first news of the 
assassination of President Lincoln. Orders were received here for thi 
to proceed to Washington, via Richmond, Virginia, where they took part in 
the Grand Review. 

The subject was honorably discharged at Indianapolis, having been 
mustered out in a livery stable in Washington. From that city he returned 
to his home at F<>rt Branch, where he took up farming. In 1857 Mr. Lincoln 
was married to Harriet Conner, daughter of "vlexander Conner, one of the 
pioneer settlers of the Hoosier state. His wife passed away in 1874, having 
been the mother of eight children, namely: Leonard. Alonzo, Daniel and 
(44) 



69O GIBSON COUNTY, INDIANA. 

Warren are deceased; Abram is now living in Horton, Texas, where he has 
been successful and is the owner of much property; Rosie is living at home; 
Louisa is also residing in Horton. Texas; Clara is in St. Louis. 

Mr. Lincoln, in his long and eventful career, has always endeavored to 
keep the Lincoln name clean and respected, and has inculcated this worthy 
desire in his children. The position of respect and honor which he lias at- 
tained in the community honored by his residence proves that he has suc- 
ceeded in this worth}- ambition. He is a member of the Grand Army of the 
Republic at Fort Branch. He has always been a Republican, though he was 
first an old-line Whig. He is the last of his line of the Lincoln family. 



CLEVE E. WILLIS. 



Hard and laborious work was the lot of the subject of this sketch dur- 
ing his youth and early manhood, but his fidelity to duty has won for him the 
respect and confidence of those with whom he has been thrown in contact, 
and by patient continuance in well doing he has gradually risen from an 
humble station to his present standing as a progressive young farmer of Gib- 
son coiintw lie has worked his way from a modest beginning up to a posi- 

of considerable prominence by his efforts, which have been practically 
unaided, a fact which renders him the more worthy of the praise that is 
freel\' accorded him by his fellow citizens. 

Cleve E. Willis, the son of Joseph M. and Winnie 1 Rumble) Willis, was 
horn in Pike county. Indiana. March 2<), 1885. His father was also a native 
of Pike countw as was his mother, where the}' still reside. Joseph Willis 
was a farmer and has always followed agricultural pursuits. He now has 
eighty-eight acres of good farming land in Pike count}'. Mr. and Mrs. Willis 
were the parents of five children. Sarah, who became the wife of James Rum- 
hie, of Patoka township; Mrs. Flora Jenkins, deceased; Mrs. Mary Blake, 
who resides in I 'ike count}'; Cleve E. ; .Mrs. Alice Stewart, also of Pike 
county. 

Cleve E. Willis received a good practical, common school education in 
his home schools and attended the Oakland City College for two years. At 
the end of his common school course he held the attendance record of Pike 
count}'. After he finished his two years' course at Oakland City College he 
secured a license to teach school, but decided to follow agriculture as a voca- 



GIBSON COUNTY, INDIANA. 69 I 

tion instead of the teaching profession. He worked on his father's farm 
until his marriage in 1908. 

Air. Willis was married to Mellie Blythe, the daughter of Samuel and 
Sarah (Clifford) Blythe, March 31, 1908. Samuel Blythe was horn in Gib- 
son county, Indiana, near Owensville, and his wife was a native of Pike 
county, this state. Mr. and Mrs. Blythe now live in Columbia township, on 
the farm which his father, Craig Blythe, purchased at a time when it was a 
primitive wilderness. A part of that farm is now within the corporation lim- 
its of Oakland City. Mr. and Mrs. Blythe are the parents of two children, 
Mrs. Millie Blythe, and Mrs. Eunice Walker, who is now living- in Indianapo- 
lis, where Air. Walker is engaged in the drug business. Air. and Airs. Cleve 
Willis are the parents of one son, Joe Blythe, born September 18, 1910. Air. 
Willis is now living on the farm near Oakland City known as the Bowen- 
Cheney farm, and lias been managing it for the past three years. He car- 
ries on a general system of diversified farming and makes a specialty of stock 
feeding and shipping of hogs and cattle, in which he has been very successful. 
His ability as a farmer is shown by the fact that he has been elected to office 
in the Farmers' Educational and Co-operative Union of America. He was 
president of this organization for one year and has been secretary and treas- 
urer for the I 'ike County Union for the past live years. This is an organiza- 
tion which seeks to promote agricultural interests and affairs pertaining to 
the life of the farmer. Air. Willis has pursued a system of rotation of crops 
so as to retain the fertility of the soil and his land is as productive as any 
in the county where he resides. Xo farm in the county is looked after with 
greater care. I le lakes an active interest in all public affairs and has per- 
formed his full part as a public-spirited citizen. 

Mr. Willis has cast his vote at all times for the candidates of the Demo- 
cratic party and takes a prominent part in the local organizations of his party. 
He has never asked for any political preferment at the hands of his party, be- 
ing content to devote all his energies to his agricultural interests. Me and 
his wife are members of the Baptist church of Oakland City and are liberal 
contributors to the support of that denomination. Mrs. Willis is a graduate 
of the < lakland City high school and taught school in Gibson county for two 
years. She also attended the Oakland City College for some time in order 
to the better equip herself for the teaching profession. Air. Willis is thor- 
oughly up-to-date in all his operations and keeps in close touch with the most 
advanced ideas relative to farming and stock raising and gives his undivided 
attention to the work in hand, so that he ha- justly earned the enviable repu- 
tation which he enjoys. 



692 GIBSON COUNTY, INDIANA. 

HERSCHEL LOGAN BASS, M. D. 

The present age is essentially utilitarian and the life of every successful 
man carries a lesson which, told in contemporary narrative, is productive of 
much good in shaping the destiny of others. There is, therefore, a due meas- 
ure of n presenting, even in brief resume, the life and achieve- 
ments of such men, and in preparing the following history of the well-known 
and successful physician whose name appears at the head of this sketch, it is 
with tin it may prove not onlv interesting and instructive, but also 
serve as an incentive to those who contemplate making the medical profes- 
sion their life work, for it shows how a man, not especially favored by in- 
herited wealth. 1 ge to the front and not only succeed in the material 
things of life, but also be of inestimable service to his fellow men. 

Herschel Logan Bass, M. D., the present efficient coroner of Gibson 
county, was born June 4, 1883. in Lane township. Warrick county, Indiana, 
the son of Gaines H. ami Rhoda 1 McKinney) Bass, both natives of the 
Hoosier state. The progenitors of the Bass family were three brothers, who 
came to America from England, two of them locating in North Carolina and 
the other in the state of Maine. Doctor Bass's family descended from those 
ettled in North Carolina. 

The subject's father, who spent his life following agricultural pursuits, 
is now retired, after a long and honorable career of usefulness to his fellow 
men, he having served in the offices of township trustee and county assessor, 
and has always been recognized as a representative man in his community. 

Of a family of seven children, five sons and two daughters, the subject 
of this review was the eldest. His elementary education was received in the 
common schools, after which he entered the State Normal School and pre- 
pared himself for teaching, a profession which he followed for four years, 
ng desirous of taking up the medical profession as a life work, he aban- 
doned his pedagogical work and entered the Louisville Medical College, from 
which he was graduated on June 30. 1909, two years of his time in college 
having been spent in hospital practice. Having thus laid a splendid founda- 
tion for his future calling, he came to Fort Branch, hung out his shingle, and 
in a comparatively short time had built up a large and lucrative practice. He 
is essentially progressive and modern in his methods, realizing that the edu- 
cation of a physician is never at an end, and by constant reading from the 
leading medical journals and study of the complex problems of medicine at 
first hand, he is keeping himself abreast of the times in his profession. 



GIBSON COUNTY, [NDIAN \. 693 

In December, 1909. Doctor Bass was united in matrimony to Lena John- 
son, daughter of F. M. Johnson, of Illinois. Mr. Johnson is one of the lead- 
ing and representative men of his community and the subject's wife is a most 
charming- and cultivated lady. A beautiful residence and up-to-date offices 
have been erected by Doctor Mass. and his home is the social center for his 
many friends, the genial natures of the subject and his wife being demon- 
strated 111 the true spirit of hospitality which radiate-; from their home. To 
Doctor Bass and wile has been burn one child. Herschel L. 

In mud tlir subject of this review was elected coroner of Gibson county, 
and so efficiently did he discharge the duties of that responsible position that 
he was re-elected in 1912, and is at present capably tilling that office. The 
1' ctot is a member of the Gibson County Medical Association, the Indiana 
State Medical Association and the Ohio Valley Medical Association, while, 
fraternally . he is affiliated with the Free and Accepted Masons, Independent 
Order of Odd Fellows, the Improved Order of Red Men and the Modern 
Woodmen of America, of which latter order he is medical examiner. 



JOHN WESLEY HARMON. 

The character of a community is determined largely by the lives of a 
comparatively few of its members. If its moral and intellectual status be 
good, if in a social way it is a pleasant place in which to reside, if its reputa- 
tion for the integrity of its citizens has extended to other localities, it will be 
found that the standards set by the leading men have been high and their in- 
fluence such as to mold their characters and shape the lives of those with 
w hom they mingle. In placing the subject of this sketch in the front rank of 
such men, justice is rendered a biographical fact universally recognized 
throughout Gibson county by those at all familiar with his history \lthough 
a quiet and unassuming man, with no ambition for public position or leader- 
ship, he has contributed much to the material advancement of the community, 
while his admirable qualities of head and heart and the straightforward, 
upright course of his daily life have tended greatly to the moral standing of 
the circles in which he moves and gives him a reputation for integrity and 
correct conduct such as few achieve. 

John Wesley Harmon, one of the most progressive business men of this 
countv, was born January 18, 1840. His parents were Laxton and Elizabeth 
Ann (Simpson) Harmon. Laxton Harmon was a native of Virginia, whose 



694 GIBSON COUNTY. INDIANA. 

father, John Simpson, was a native of North Carolina. The father of the 
subject came to Gibson county in 1811, and at the time of the battle of Tip- 
pecanoe, on November 7, 181 1, he was on guard duty in old Fort Knox at 
Vincennes. He was not in the fight, but assisted during all the troubles inci- 
dent to the Indian uprising in guarding the fort in the fall of 181 1. His death 
occurred in November, 1842, having lived all of his life as a farmer in this 
county. He did his share towards clearing up the land, draining the swamps 
and making the roads through the pathless forests, and at his death he had 
cieared and put under cultivation forty acres of land which was practically 
worthless at the time he entered it. Laxton Harmon, the father of the 
subject of this sketch, died shortly after the birth of John W. Mrs. Flizabeth 
Ann Harmon was the daughter of John Simpson, Sr.. a native of Gibson 
county. She died in 185 1, when John W. was about eleven years of age. Mr. 
and Mrs. Laxton Harmon were the parents of three children, Lewis, de- 
ceased, Melinda, deceased, and the subject of this sketch. Lewis lived and 
died in this county, having followed the occupation of a farmer there all his 
life. He was never married. Melinda was the wife of Garrett Mount, and 
died in the spring of 1865. Mr. and Mrs. Mount were the parents of four 
children. Mrs. Elizabeth Wilhite, deceased; Mrs. Mary Pegram, deceased; 
Mrs. Alice McCrary and Julius. 

John W. Harmon was reared on the farm west of Owensville in the 
Maumee river bottoms and followed the occupation of a farmer until 1870, 
when he formed a partnership with F. M. Welborn and engaged in general 
merchandising in Owensville, which pursuit lie continued for two years 
under the firm name of Welborn & Harmon, after which time he sold out his 
interest in 1873 to Richey Sumner, but remained in the store as a clerk. After 
clerking lor about eighteen mouths, he re-entered the business under the firm 
name of Welborn. Harmon & Company. Some time later he sold his in- 
terest to James Robinson, who purchased the stock for his son. The firm 
name was then changed to Pruitt, Robinson & Company. Pruitt later bought 
out the interests of Robinson and the firm name became Pruitt Brothers. 
Joseph Pruitt, the elder member of the firm, died in July, 1880, and in the 
spring of 188] Mr. Harmon took the interest of Joseph Pruitt and the firm 
was reorganized under the name of Harmon & Pruitt. In the fall of 1888 
Mr. Harmon traded his interests to Samuel Scott for a half interest in the 
Owensville Milling Company, the new firm being known as the Harmon & 
Wallace Companv. He still retains his interest in the mill. Mr. Harmon is 
also one of the largest land owner- of the county, having over twelve hun- 



GIBSON COUNTY, INDIANA. 695 

dred acres of good land, three hundred and fifty of which lie in the Wabash 
township bottoms. The rest of his land is located in Union and Montgomery 
townships. Mr. Harmon also has large real estate holdings in Owensville, 
consisting of business rooms, residence property and a large number of ■ 
lots. 

Mr. Harmon was married September 29, 1872, to Julia A. Pruitt, the 
(laughter of William and Elizabeth (Spain) Pruitt, both of whom were 
natives of this county. These parent s both died in Evansville. One child, 
Harvey, was born to this union, who is represented elsewhere in this volume. 
Mrs. Julia Harmon died December 4, 1876. On December 12, 1878, Mr. 
Harmon was married to Nancy Elizabeth Musick, daughter of Herrod and 
Mary E. (Warrick) Musick. Herrod Musick was a native of Ohio and 
came to Logan county, Illinois, where his death occurred several years ago. 
Mrs. Musick was a native of Gibson county, and has been dead many years. 
To Mr. Harmon's second marriage was born one child, a daughter. Grace, 
who is the wife of Rufus H. Barnet, the present postmaster of Owensville. 
They have three children. Robert, Warren and Marriam. 

Mr. Harmon has for a half century been one of the most prominent 
business men of the county. He is distinctly a man of affairs, sound of judg 
ment, with keen discernment, and far-seeing in everything he has undertaken, 
and every enterprise to which he has addressed himself has resulted in liberal 
material reward. His extensive business interests are the legitimate fruitage 
of consecutive effort, directed and controlled not only by good judgment, but 

by correct moral principles. Personally, he is congenial, quiet and un- 
assuming in disposition, and in all the relations of life he ha onducted 
himself that bis friends are in number as his acquaintances. 

Politically. Mr. Harmon has always been a Democrat, but has n< 
taken an active interest in the deliberations of his party, although when he 
was a young man not far past his majority he was township assessor for two 
terms. He has been a life-long member of the Regular Baptist church, and 
for many years has been a trustee of that denomination. He has always lent 
his influence and support to everything in the matter of the advancement and 
welfare of his town and community, and his charitable work has been the 
means of alleviating much suffering in his locality, lie is always ready to 
share his substance with the poor and needy, and by a straightforward and 

nendable course he has made his way to a highly respected position in 
the world. His career presents a notable example of those noble qualities 
of mind and character which overcome obstacles and win success, and his 
example is eminently worthy of imitation. 



696 GIBSON COUNTY, INDIANA. 

W. F. MORRIS, M. D. 

Gibsuii county, Indiana, has reason to take pride in the personnel of her 
corps of medical men from the earliest days in her history to the present 
time, and on the roll of honored names that indicates the services of distin- 
guished citizens in this held of endeavor there is reason in reverting with 
gratification to that of Dr. \Y. F. Morris, of Fort Branch, who has attained 
eminence in his chosen calling and stands high among the scholarly and en- 
terprising physicians in a community that has long been distinguished for the 
excellence of its medical talent. He realized early that there is a purpose in 
life and that there is no honor not founded on worth and no respect not 
founded on accomplishment. His life and labors have been eminently worthy 
because they have contributed to a proper understanding of life and its prob- 
lems. 

W. F. Morris, M. D., was born September 14, 1875, in Barton town- 
ship, Gibson county. Indiana, the son of John T. and Mary E. (Miller) 
M<>rris, the father a native of the same township, he having been born and 
passed his entire life on the home place where the subject first saw the light 
of <la\. John T. Morris was a son of John T. and Mary ( Marshall ) Morris, 
who were born and grew t" maturity in England, leaving that country in 
1832 and coming to Evansville, Indiana, where they were married. From 
there they removed t" Vanderburg county, and in 1838 again sought a new 
location, this time settling in Barton township, Gibson county, where they, 
with the other sturdy pioneers of those days, engaged in the struggle to sub- 
due the almost unbroken wilderness and build a home. John T. Morris, Sr., 
w as an efficient surveyor and his services were in great demand by his neigh- 
bors in locating their lands. He was a well informed man and was a valuable 
addition to the community, his advice often being sought on matters of busi- 
ness. It is said that one of his many accomplishments was "fiddling," and 
his presence was demanded at the social gatherings of those days, where the 
music from his bow helped to make the sturdy pioneers forget their hard- 
ships and struggles. He and his wife were members of the Episcopal church. 
To this worthv couple were born six children, as follows: John T., the 
subject's father; Richard, Lewis, Phillip and Sidney are deceased: Robert is 
engaged in farming on the home place. The subject's father secured what 
education he could in the early schools of the county, and his father dying 
when he was but twelve years old, the care of his- mother was taken up by 



GIBSON COUNTY, INDIANA. 

him, and she lived with him until her death in [898. John T. Morris, Jr., en- 
gaged in [arming for thirty-five years. He was a consistent member of the 
Methodist Episcopal church, while, politically, he was a supporter of the Re- 
publican party. He was united in marriage to Mary E. .Miller, daughter of 
David Miller, of Virginia, who was an early settler in Pike county, Indiana, 
and later removed to Missouri. To this union were born nine children, 
namely: George Thomas, who is a farmer in Warrick county, Indiana, mar- 
ried Alary E. Heldt. He is also interested in engineering and in the dairy 
business; John T., a physician, who is the subject of a review in another part 
of this work; Robert Benjamin is a farmer in Warrick county, and ami 
other investments he is interested in a telephone company. He was married 
first to a .Miss DePriest and his second wife was a Miss Smith; Charles died 
at the age of four years; Mattie died at the age of two and a half years; 
\\ illiam F. ; James died at the age of four; David, deceased; Edison, a farm- 
er of Elberfield, Warrick county, married Augusta Ebrecht; Mary Eva 
married William C. May, a farmer at Mackey, Indiana. 

The subject of this review attended the common schools of Barton 
township, supplementing this with a course in a business college in Indianapo- 
lis. Deciding on the practice of medicine as his life work, he took up the 
study of that noble profession under the tutelage of Dr. John Ballard, which 
he continued until 1906. when he entered the Jefferson College of Medicine 
in Philadelphia. Pennsylvania, graduating from this well-known institution 
in 1900. While pursuing his medical studies in the Philadelphia college he 
also took up the surgical branch under the direction of Dr. W. W. Keen, 
Fellow of the Royal College of Surgeons, one of the most noted surgeons of 
the world, his most wonderful accomplishments having been along the line 
of brain surgery. Receiving his diploma in both branches at the same time. 
Doctor Morris returned to his native state and took up the practice of his 
profession at Fort Branch, where he has been very successful and has built 
up a large and lucrative business. 

In September, 1902, Doctor Morris was muted in marriage to Ercel 
May Arburn. daughter of John M. Arburn, one of the earliest merchants of 
Gibson county. To this union has been born one child. I. nelson D., born in 
September, 1907. 

Besides holding membership in the Gibson County -Medical Association 
and the State Medical Association, Doctor Morris is a member of the 
American Association of "Railroad Surgeons, and is local surgeon for the 
Chicago & Eastern Illinois Railroad Company. Fraternally, he holds mem- 



698 GIBSON COUNTY. INDIANA. 

bership in the Independent Order of Odd Fellows and the Tribe of Ben-Hur 
at Fort Branch. He also belongs to the Methodist Episcopal church at Fort 
Branch. 



EPHRATM M. FOWLER. 

The Union soldier during the great war between the states wrought even 
better than he knew. Through four years of suffering and wasting hard- 
ships, through the horrors of prison pens and amid the shadows of death, he 
laid the superstructure of the greatest temple ever erected and dedicated to 
human freedom. The world looked on and called those soldiers sublime, for 
it was theirs to reach out the mighty arm of power and strike the chains from 
off the slave, preserve the country from dissolution, and to keep furled to the 
breeze the only flag that ever made tyrants tremble and whose majestic stripes 
and scintillating stars are still waving universal liberty to all the earth. For 
all their unmeasured deeds the living present will never repay them. Pension 
and political power may be thrown at their feet : art and sculpture may pre- 
serve upon canvas and in granite and bronze their unselfish deeds; history 
mav commit to books and cold type may giv< to the future the tale of their 
sufferings and triumphs : but to the children of the generations yet unborn 
will it remain to accord the full measure of appreciation and undying re- 
membrance of the immortal character carved out by the American soldiers in 
the dark days of the early sixties, numbered among whom was the gentleman 
whose name appears at the head of this sketch. 

Ephraim M. Fowler was born on January 4, T.S40, the son of Martin and 
Nancy ( Wakeland) Fowler, the father a native of North Carolina and the 
mother of Kentucky. Martin Fowler was reared in his native state, where 
lie first married Marv Cox. whose death occurred in Warrick county, Indiana. 
After the subject's marriage he located in Warrick county, Indiana, northeast 
Boonville, where he obtained a piece of wild land, which he cleared and 
established a home. Later he added to it, and finally became the owner of a 
fine tract of six hundred and forty acres, all in one body. Here he followed 
farming and stock raising, in which he was very successful, shipping large 
numbers of stock to New Orleans. It was on one of his trips to that city in 
1847 that his death occurred. He was very successful in his financial affairs 
and was well known and respected throughout the community. After his 
death his second wife married John Cherry, and her death occurred in War- 
rick countv. To Martin Fowler and his first wife were born nine children : 



GIISSON COUNTY, INDIANA. 699 

Wiley-W., John, Matilda, Betsy Ann, Bettie, Lucy, Isaac B., Ruth and Mary 
Ann. By his second union Martin Fowler became the father of five children : 
William Henry, Ephraim Merritt, James Martin, Mary Jane and Sarah 
Elizabeth. To Mr. and Mrs. John Cherry were born six children: Richard. 
Lucinda, Martha, John, Absalom and Alexander. John Cherry also had 
been married twice, and to his first union, with a Miss McDaniel, there were 
born five children, George, Mary Jane, Marina Ann, Sarah and Allen. 

Ephraim M. Fowler had but little opportunity to attend school, the 
nearest school house being four mile- through the timber from his home. 
His stepfather, John Cherry, cut a log- and hitched a horse to it and put the 
subject on the horse and led the horse through the woods, thus making a path 
through the leaves and brush to the school house, this path being known as 
the Hudson school house path and was used for nearly thirty years. In i. 
Mr. enlisted in the Seventeenth Regiment Indiana Volunteer Infantrv 

as a musician for three months' service, and at the end of his first period of 
enlistment he returned home and enlisted as a private in Company C, Forty- 
second Regiment Indiana Volunteer Infantry, which was sent to Kentucky 
and up the Green river. The regiment then went south to Huntsville. Ala- 
bama, and was assigned to the Army of the Cumberland, with which it re- 
mained until the close of the war, taking part in all the engagements and cam- 
paigns in which that celebrated army had a part. Mr. Fowler was transferred 
to Company < i. One Hundred and Forty-third Regiment, and was made a 
lieutenant in 1804 because of faithfulness to duty and courage in battle, 
which rank he held at the time of his discharge in 1865. After the war he 
returned to Warrick county, Indiana, and boughl .-mil shipped leaf toba 
until 1877, when he located in rid City, where he al aged in 

buying and selling tobacco, as well as handling large quantities of grain. Fie 
later engaged in the grocery business and also operated a restaurant for some 
time. For sixty years Mr. bowler lias attended all of the county fairs in this 
section of the state, being widely known, and has sold lemonade and other 
articles of public consumption. He is a man of remarkable health, having 
never taken one dollar's worth of medicine in his life, and is of an intensely 
optimistic and cheerful disposition, being a welcome member of any circle 
which he chooses to enter. 

In 1862 Mr. Fowler married Susan Harland, a native of Kentucky. 

Her death occurred in [873 and subsequently he married Fannie Boner, of 

Boonville, Indiana. There were no children born to the first union, and the 

econd union resulted in one daughter, Ethel .May. who is now a milliner at 

land Citv, Indiana. 



700 GIBSON COUNTY, INDIANA. 

Mr. Fowler is a charter member of Cochran Post, Grand Army of the 
Republic, at Oakland City, Indiana, has been a member of the Independent 
Order of Odd Fellows since 1866, and a member of the Free and Accepted 
Masons since 1882, taking an appreciative interest in the workings of all these 
orders. He is an earnest and faithful member of the Methodist Episcopal 
church at Oakland City and is numbered among its loyal and earnest con- 
stituents. Mr. Fowler would be the last man to sit for romance or become a 
subject for fancy sketches, but his life presents much that is interesting and 
valuable, for he is one of those whose integrity and strength of character 
must force them into an admirable notoriety, which their modesty never 
seeks, but who command the respect of their contemporaries and leave the 
impress of their individuality upon the community. 



SAMUEL S. REED. 



A man'- reputation is the property of the world, for the laws of nature 
have forbidden isolation. Every human being either submits to the control- 
ling influence of others or wields an influence which touches, controls, guides 
or misdirects others. If he be honest and successful in his chosen field of en- 
deavor, investigation will brighten his fame and point the way along which 
others may follow with like success. The reputation of Samuel S. Reed, one 
of the leading journalists of ( libson county, having been unassailable all along 
the highways of life, according to those who have known him best, it is be- 
lieved that a critical study of his career will be of benefit to the reader, for it 
has been not only one of honor, hut of usefulness also. 

Samuel S. Reed, who, after an active and useful life, is now living re- 
tired in Oakland City, was horn in Winslow, Pike county, Indiana, on No- 
vember 29, 1839, and is the son of Elijah and Rebecca (Slater) Reed, the 
former a native of Xorth Carolina, and the latter of the Hoosier state. 
Elijah Reed came from his native state to Indiana in early manhood, locat- 
ing first at Bloomington, where be was later married. He was a carpenter 
bv trade and in the early days here did much important building. Eventually 
he removed from Bloomington to Winslow, Pike county, and from there to 
Monroe, that county, where he located on a farm, to the operation of which 
he devoted his remaining- years, dying there at the advanced age of eighty- 
four years. His widow survived him two years, also dying at the age of 
eighty-four. Thev had been married for the remarkable period of sixty-five 
years, and reared a family of thirteen children, eight boys and five girls, all 



GIBSON COUNTY, INDIANA. 711] 

of whom are now living bul two, and all of whom came to mature years and 
married before their parents' death. These children are as follows: John 
YV., who is deceased; Samuel S.. the immediate subject of this review; Clark, 
-1 I lakland City; Richard, of Oakland ( it} ; Elisha, of Pike county; Mrs. 
Jane Riddle, of Gibson county ; Mrs. Phoebe English, deceased ; Mrs. Milai 
Bilbenback, of Princeton; Elijah; Joseph; Mrs. Rebecca Davis, of Princeton; 
Mrs. Sarah Ross, of New Albany, Indiana, and Peter, of Gibson county. 
Samuel S. Reed received his education in the public schools of Pike and ('.ill- 
s' >n counties, and was reared t" die life of a farmer on the paternal homestead 
in Monroe township, Pike county. In 1861, shortly after attaining his ma- 
jority, Mr. Reed enlisted as a private in Company EC, For neat 
Indiana Volunteer Infantry, in which he served 1! id three moi - 

In- active service he took part in the engagement at Perryville, Ken- 
tucky, on < ' and was with Sherman on his historic march 
m Chattanooga to Atlanta. After the war .Mr. Reed spent five years in 
mot county, Indiana, near the town <>f Newtonville, where he engaged in 
farming, and then for nine years he was similarly occupied in Montgomery 
nship, Gibson county. From there he removed to Oakland City, where 
lias since resided for a period of over thirty years. Mere lie has built a 
comfortable and attractive residence, and is numbered among the solid and 
substantial citizens of the community. 

In 1866 Mr. Reed married Jane Hayden, of Warrick county, Indiana, 
though they married in Missouri, where she was temporarily living at that 
time. To this union has been horn the following children: Laura E., the 
wife of Dr. J. W. McCord, a successful dentist of Oakland City; Lydia A., 
the wife of John A. Carlisle, of Terre Haute, Indiana, and Lucy, the wife 
of Fred Benton, of Oakland City. 

Politically, Mr. Reed has given his earnest support to the Republican 
party, and has served twelve years as justice of the peace and three or four 
times as a member of the < »akland City council. 1 [e has maintained a deep 
interest in local public affair'-, giving his support to every movement that 
promised to benefit the people, educationally, morally, socially and materially. 
Fraternally, he is a member of the Independent I >nler of Odd Fellows, of 
which he has passed all the chairs in the subordinate 1 rid is also a 

memher of the Grand Army of the Republic. His religious connection is 
with the Christian church, of which he is an elder. Because of his sterling 
qualities of character and upright life. Mr. Reed enjoys the confidence and 
esteem of the entire community with which he has been identified for .0 many 
years, standing as one of the representative citizens of the locality. 



702 GIBSON COUNTY. INDIANA. 

ROBERT A. JENKINS. 

This well-known citizen is another of the gallant boys who, a half cen- 
tur\ ago, enlisted to save the Union, and during that ever memorable strug- 
gle he was found ready for action, no matter how dangerous or arduous 
the duty. He did not enter the service as some did. from motives of sport 
or frolic, but saw beneath the surface and realized that the South was de- 
termined to break up the Union for the purpose of establishing a confederacy 
of slave-holding states. From his earliest years he had been taught to hate 
slavery and to do all he could to blot it from this country's escutcheon. He 
regarded it as a foul blot on the old flag, so that when the rebels precipitated 
the conflict he was ready to take up arms to preserve the Union. 

Robert A. Jenkins was born in Butler count), Kentucky. May 7, 1838, 
the son 01" Thomas and Martha (Webster) Jenkins, both natives of Butler 
county. The father was a farmer and also a skilled mechanic, making shoes, 
furniture and plows and was noted far and wide for his skill 
with tools. He came t" Gibson count), Indiana, about 0S58 and settled south 
1 I Oakland City, remaining there until 1867, when he removed to Carroll 
county, .Missouri, where he died. He was a Democrat ami a member of the 
Methodisl Episcopal church. To Thomas and Martha Jenkins were born 
eight children, namely: Elizabeth married James Jenkins and lived in Colum- 
nship, Gibson county; Benjamin was a member of the Eightieth In- 
diana Volunteer Infantry and died at Indianapolis from a wound received in 
the servici ; George died in Missouri; Robert A.; William T., who was a 
1 the Eleventh Kentucky in the ("nil war, died in .Missouri; Squire 
isfield, also a member of the Eleventh Kentucky in the Civil war. died at 
Lexington. Kentucky; Willis is living at Nevada, Missouri; Ferdinand re- 
sides in Carlton, Missouri. 

The subjeel oi tins review attended the old subscription schools and ac- 
quired what education the)' had to offer, living at home and assisting in the 
cultivation of his father's farm until he reached the age of twenty-one. when 
he married Rebecca Lowney, of Carlton. Carroll county, Missouri. She died 
in 1910, and was the mother of the following children: Stephen is with the 
traction company at Springfield, Missouri; Ella is the wife of YV. E. John, of 
Springfield, Missouri; Emma, deceased, was the wife of \1 Brumfield; Fred, 
who was employed by the Bell Telephone Company, was killed while work- 
ing on a pole in Springfield, Missouri; Bertha and Robert are deceased; one 
child died in infancv. 



GIBSON COUNTY, INDIANA. 703 

lii the fall "i [86] Mr. Jenkins enlisted at Princeton, [ndiana, in Com- 
pany F, Forty-second Regiment Indiana Volunteer Infantry, thi command 
first being sent to Evansville, Indiana, where they were in camp for several 
weeks, then going to Henderson and Calhoun, Kentucky, and from then 
( Kvensboro. ( >n a flat boat they patroled Green river From this place to the 
mouth of that stream, and also the Tennessee river to its mouth. After tak- 
ing part in the battle of Fort Donelson, they went to Nashville and Murfrees- 
boro, when the subject was taken sick and was sent home on a thirty days' 
furlough. Physicians advised him that he was too ill to again enter a< 
service, but in spite of this he again reported, and attached himself I 
tain Pierce's company, a pari of the Eleventh Kentucky, until he could reach 
his own command. With this company he was at Shiloh, Corinth and Quaker 
: ings, then being detailed to care for the sick and wounded of the Eleventh 
Kentucky in the hospital, later going to Huntsville, Alabama, where he re- 
joined his original company and with them marched to Deckard's Station, 
subsequently falling hack with them to Louisville, where an order was given 
1 bring up the rear at Huntsville, Alabama. With five hundred of his 
comrades, Mr. Jenkins made the trip, being attacked several times. During 
the confusion the trains left fifteen hundred men at Stephenson, Alabama. 
and the Confederates bombarded the town and compelled them to retire to 
the Cumberland mountains, from where they proceeded to Murfreesboro and 
then to Louisville. Soon they were engaged in the battles at Perrysville and 
.i. n 1 1 Irchard, and at New .Market Mr. Jenkins was again taken ill, a gen- 
eral breakdown being the result of his strenuous activities in the service, lie 
was taken to Lebanon, Kentucky, and placed in the I d house and 

left for dead. However, he revived and after spending ten days in this ho 
pital lie was senl by way of Howling Green to Louisville, where he wa 
lined to the hospital for about a month, then being consigned to the Invalid 
Corps and sent to New Albany, Indiana. Here he remained until he felt 
able to resume active duties, when he went hack on his own responsibility 
and joined his regiment at Murfreesboro. Tennessee. They took part in the 
Tallahoosa raid, hut when thee reached the foot of the Cumberland moun- 
tains, Mr. Jenkins broke down completely ami was discharged at Stephenson, 
Alabama, in 1863, returning to his home. For a long time after his dis- 
charge the subject was incapacitated as a result of his illness. 

In the fall of 1866 Mr. Jenkins wont to Springfield, Missouri, and en- 
gaged in farming for a year, then removing to Carroll count}', that state, 
where he purchased eighty acres of land and remained for seven years. In 
1874 he returned to Gibson county. Indiana, and bought several town lots in 



7°4 GIBSON COUNTY, INDIANA. 

Oakland City and later a small tract of land west of that place, where he re- 
sided for a while, then acquiring seventy-two acres of land near Augusta, 
Indiana, which he farmed for three years. Subsequently he sold his hold- 
ings and removed to Missouri, where he rented land near Springfield and car- 
ried on gardening until 19 12, returning then to Oakland City, where he has 
since lived in retirement. On December 25th of that year, Mr. Jenkins was 
united in marriage to Martha Jenkins, the widow of Lemuel Jenkins. 

The subject is a member of John Mathews Post, Grand Army of the 
iLiblic, at Springfield, Missouri. His belief in matters of religion is indi- 
cated by bis membership in the Methodist Episcopal church. 



JOHN SLOAN. 



In the early days the middle West was often a tempting field to energetic, 
ambitious, strong-minded men, and Indiana was filled with them during the 
time she was struggling up to a respectable position in the sisterhood of 
states. There was a fascination in the broad field and great promise which 
this newer region presented to activity that attracted many men and induced 
them t>* brave the discomforts of the early, life here for the pleasure and 
gratification of constructing their fortunes in their own way ami after their 
own methods. The late John Sloan, for a long lapse of years one of the most 
substantial and prominent citizens of Gibson county, was a native son of this 
favored section of the country, and for many years wielded a potent influence. 
He gave to the world the best of an essentially virile, loyal and noble nature, 
and his standard of honor was absolutely inflexible. He was a citizen of high 
civic ideals and ever manifested his liberality in connection with measures 
and enterprises tending to advance the general welfare of the community- 
honored by his residence. He was the architect of his own fortune and upon 
bis career there rests no blemish, for he was true to the highest ideals and 
principles in business, civic and social life. He lived and labored to worthy 
ends and as one of the sterling citizens and representative men of this locality 
in a past generation his memory merits a tribute of honor on the pages of 
history. 

John Sloan was born March 9, 1838, on the old Sloan homestead in 
Patoka, Gibson county. Indiana, and was a son of Richard and Nancy (Bell) 
Sloan. These parents were born and reared near Charleston. South Carolina, 
and later went to the state of Kentucky, and eventually located in Gibson 




.!< MIX SLOAN. 



GIBSON COUNTY. INDIANA. 



,".- 



comity, Indiana, settling near Hazelton, of which locality they were among 
tlit* first settlers. There they obtained a tract of wild land, which the father 
cleared and on which he built a typical log cabin, in which they established 
their home and here the father was accidentall) killed while leaning on his 
gun during a deer hunt near Patoka, in 1841. lie was survived more than 
three decades by his widow, whose death occurred in August, [872. Mr. 
Sloan was a farmer by vocation, and also gave attention in his early years 

here to freighting, having hauled many load- of 1; k from Evansville to 

Vincennes. A man of genial disposition and sterling qualities of character, 
he enjoyed a large acquaintance, among whom were many loyal friends. He 
was the father of six children, James, Robert, Samuel. John. Eliza and 
Martha. 

John Sloan had little opportunity for securing a school education, his 
earl) days being spent on the home farm, and, because of the untimely death 
of his father, the support of his mother and the rest of the family was 
largely thrown upon his shoulders. After his marriage, which occurred in 
i860, he and his wife located on a part of his father's old homestead, and 
eventually bought the home where they spent their remaining days and where 
Mrs. Sloan now resides. The farm comprises one hundred and eleven aci 
and is numbered among the choice agricultural tracts in this locality. Mr. 
Sloan, who followed farming throughout his active life, was a man of indus- 
trious habits and exercised sound judgment in the management of his esti 
with the result that he was enabled to realize a handsome profit from its 
operation, lie was up-to-date and methodical in his methods, raising all the 
crops common to this section and also giving some attention to the handling 
of live Stock. In addition to the home farm, Mrs. Sloan also owns eighty 
acres of land in the Patoka bottoms and forty acres in White River town- 
ship, both id' which are valuable lands. 

On Januan 26, [860, John Sloan was united 111 marriage with Catherine 
Phillips, who was horn January 6, 1841, the daughter of Alexander and 
Christina 1 Decker 1 Phillips, the father a native of Tennessee and the mother 
of Washington township. Gibson county, Indiana. Alexander Phillips came 
with hi- parents to Washington township, this count), being among the 
earliest settlers of that locality, and here he grew to maturity ami married, 
and spent the remainder of his days there. He was a farmer and passed 
through all the hardships incident to frontier life. Their first home 111 which 
they lived on coming here was but a rail pen. which was later followed by a 

(45) 



706 GIBSON COUNTY, INDIANA. 

log cabin, and eventually an attractive and modern residence was built. To 
Mr. and Mrs. Phillips were born the following children: Polly, deceased, 
was twice married, first to John Foster, and the second time to Michael 
Murphy, their home being in Washington township, and both are now de- 
ceased. Nancy married William Hargrove, and both are now deceased. 
Henry, who lives in Washington township, married Jane McRoberts. Cath- 
erine, Mrs. Sloan. Elizabeth became the wife of Hiram Keith, who lives 
about six miles west of Princeton. Serena is the wife of Thomas Boswell, at 
Madison, Illinois. Christina was twice married, first to Riley Decker and 
second to George Hays, of Washington township, this county. Some time 
after the death of his first wife, Alexander Phillips married Nancy Bullard, 
and to this union was born one child. Alice, deceased, who was the wife of 
Charles Thompson. To Mr. and Mrs. Sloan were born ten children, namely : 
Richard A., born October 23, i<S6o, and who is a farmer in Patoka township, 
married Etta Smith, and to their union were born eight children, Galen, Bar- 
ney, less, Stella, Ethel, deceased, Avilla, Frank, deceased, and Alonzo, also 
deceased. Caleb T., born December 5, 1862, is a retired farmer living at 
Princeton. He married Catherine Thompson and they have three children, 
Howard, deceased, Ruth and Frank. James Henry, born November 24, 
[864, died on August 28, [877. Nancy Cordelia, born November 1, 1866, 
married William Smith, and her death occurred August 4, 1898. They were 
the parents of four children, Gilbert, Ida, Mary and Bertha. Isaac Newton. 
born March 1, i860, married Ida Decker and after her death married Minnie 
Pritchett. a native of Illinois. To the first union were born two children, 
namelv: Mabel Mary, who became the wife of Fred Warthe. of Evansville, 
Indiana, and Dennis Paul, who lives at home with his grandmother, and who 
is a brakeman on the Chicago & F.astern Illinois Railroad. By his second 
marriage, Isaac Newton Sloan became the father of three children, Thelma 
Olive, the wife of Gustan Sward, Charles Newton and Callis. Isaac Newton 
now lives at Pine Bluffs, Arkansas, and is a conductor on the Cotton Belt 
Railroad, having followed railroading since sixteen years of age. West Sloan, 
born May 5, 1871, was killed by the accidental discharge of a gun on June 11, 
1889. lohn W., born April 27, 1873. and who now lives at Stonington, Colo- 
rado, married, first, Ella Eaton, and to them were born five children: Morris, 
who married Martha Walker and lives in Patoka township, Bessie, who died 
in 191 1, Lennie, George and Ralph. For his second wife John W. Sloan mar- 
ried Myrtle Finch and the}- are the parents of four children, a daughter that 
died in infancy, Henry, Perry and John Robert. Christina Sloan, born 



GIBSON COUNTY, INDIANA. JOJ 

November 2, [875, married, on September 22, [896 < harles Neimeier, a 
merchant at Princeton, [ndiana, and they have two children, Barold, who 
died at the age of eight years, and Helen. David D. Sloan, born March 18, 
1878, married, on December 17. 1910, Ulie Lynch, and they live on a part 
of the old homestead farm. lie was formerly a railroad man. but is now 
engaged in a store. They have two children, Charles and Mabel. Charles B. 
Sloan, born February 6, 1881, died on September 5, 1896. The death of 
John \\ . Sloan, the subject of this sketch, occurred on November 20, 10 1 1. 
and his passing away was considered a distinct loss to the community. 1 1 i^ 
death removed from Gibson county one of her must substantia] and highly 
esteemed citizens and the many beautiful tributes to his high standing as a 
man and citizen attested to the abiding place he had in the hearts and affcc 
tions of his friends. His life was an inspiration t" all who knew him. and 
his memory remains to his friends and children as a blessed benediction of an 
noble and upright character. Although his life was one, his every-day 
affairs making heavy demands upon his time, Mr. Sloan never shrank from 
his duties as a citizen and his obligations to his neighbors and his friends. 
Always calm and dignified, never demonstrative, his life was. nevertheless, a 
persistent plea, more by precept and example than by public action and spoken 
word, for the surety and guarantee of right principles in the elevation of 
wholesome character. To him home life was a sacred trust, friendship was 
inviolable and nothing could swerve him from the path of rectitude and 
honor. 



HENRY C. VICKERS. 



It is generally considered by those in the habit of superficial thinking that 
the history of great men only is worthy of preservation and that little merit 
exists among the masses to call forth the praises of the historian or the cheers 
.and appreciation of mankind. A greater mistake was never made. No man 
is great in all things and very few are great in main things. Many by a 
lucky stroke achieve lasting fame who before that had no reputation beyond 
the limits of their neighborhoods. It is not a history of a luck) stroke which 
benefits humanity most, but the long study and effort which made the lucky 
stroke possible. It is the preliminary work, the method, that serves as a 
guide for the success of others. Among those earlier citizens of Gibson 
countv who served their day and have now passed into the great beyond, leav- 
ing behind them the fruits of a proper life, is the subject of this sketch. 



708 GIBSON COUNTY. INDIANA. 

Henry C. Vickers, deceased, was born in 1833, in North Carolina, and 
died in Oakland City, Gibson county, Indiana, July 12, 1901. He came to 
Gibson county when a boy and was taken into the home of an uncle, Grander- 
son Vickers, who resided near Providence church in Union township, this 
county. Here he grew to manhood, becoming efficient in agricultural work. 
Owing to circumstances, he received but a limited schooling in his youth, 
which was always a cause for regret with him. In 1873 he was united in mar- 
riage with Malissa Stephens, widow of Lewis Stephens, of Springfield, 
Illinois, and a daughter of Lemuel Emmerson, of Patoka township, Gibson 
county. 

Lewis Stephens was a teacher in the public schools and also was 
engaged in agriculture near Fort Branch, Indiana. He married Malissa 
Emmerson in 1861. Not long after his marriage he enlisted for service in 
the war of the Rebellion, being a member of Company E, Eightieth Regiment 
Indiana Volunteer Infantry, and served three years. He re-enlisted for 
service in the same company and regiment and received a wound at the battle 
of Perrysville, from the effects of which he died at Louisville, Kentucky, in 
the hospital there. He had also suffered an attack of measles while in service. 
One son was born to the union of Lewis and Malissa ( Emmerson ) Stephens, 
being Charles, who is a teacher in the public schools at Jacksonville, Texas. 
His wife was Helen Follett and to them has been born one child, Pauline. 

Shortly after their marriage, Mr. and Mrs. Vickers sold their farm of 
one hundred and sixty acres in Union township and moved to Oakland City, 
Indiana, where for many years Mr. Vickers was engaged in the dry goods 
business. In later years, the close confinement telling on him, he disposed of 
his business and engaged in truck gardening. 

Mr. Vickers was a veteran of the Civil war, having enlisted in Company 
E, Fifty-eighth Regiment Indiana Volunteer Infantry, at Princeton, and 
served until the close of the war. During this time he was shot in the ear, 
which destroyed his sense of hearing. He was a member of the Grand Army 
of the Republic at Oakland City and his religious sympathies were with the 
Cumberland Presbyterian church, of which he was a consistent member. Mrs. 
Vickers holds her church membership in the General Baptist church, and gives 
of her time and means to furthering the good work of that society. Politically, 
Mr. Vickers was a stanch Republican, always taking a quiet though keen 
interest in his party's affairs. Mr. and Mrs. Vickers were the parents of five 
children, three of whom are dead. Wilbur. Randolph and an infant son. 
Laura is the wife of Lewis Goff, of Winslow, Indiana, and is the mother of 



GIBSON COUNTY, [NDIANA. 700, 

two children, .Mary L. ami Margaret. Male II.. the onl} living son, resides 
with Ins mother and is engaged in sign and general painting at Oakland I ii\ 
The late Henry C. Yickers was of a retiring disposition and possessed of 
many admirable traits, making him a good husband and father and a good 
citizen. Me was of genial nature, well liked and respected by a large number 
of friends. 



GEORGE T. KENEIPP. 



In a brief sketch of any living citizen it is difficult to do him exact and 
impartial justice, not so much, however, for lack of space or words to set 
forth the familiar and passing events of his personal history, as for want of 
the perfect and rounded conception of his whole life, which grows, develops 
and ripens, like fruit, to disclose its truest and best flavor only when it is 
mellowed by time. Daily contact with the man so familiarizes us with hi-- 
virtues that we ordinarily overlook them and commonly underestimate their 
possessor. It is not often that true honor, public or private, — that honor 
which is the tribute of cordial respect and esteem, — comes to a man without 
basis in character and deeds. The world may be deceived by fortune, or by 
ornamental or showy qualities, without substantial merit, and may render to 
the undeserving a short-lived admiration, but the honor that wise and good 
men value and that lives beyond tine grave must have its foundation in real 
worth, for "worth maketh the man." Not a few men live unheralded and 
almost unknown beyond the narrow limits of the city or community wherein 
their lots are cast, who yet have in them, if fortune had opened to them a 
wider sphere of life, the elements of character to make statesmen or public 
benefactors of world-wide fame. Compared with the blazon of fame which 
some regard as the real seal or stamp of greatness, there is a lowlier and 
simpler, and yet true standard whereby to judge of them and fix their place 
in the regard of their fellow men. During his life of nearly sixt) years in 
Owensville. this county, its people have had means to know what manner ol 
man George T. Keneipp is. The record of testimony is ample that he is a 
good citizen in the full sense of the term, and worthy of honor and public 
trust, ever doing worthily and well whatever he puts his hand to do — an 
encomium worthy of being coveted by every man. 

George T. Keneipp, the son of Roberl and America (Lucas) Keneipp, 
was born in Owensville, Indiana, \pril 11, 185^. Robert Keneipp was a 
native of Erie county, Ohio, and moved to Mount Carmel, Illinois, with his 



710 GIBSON COUNTY, INDIANA. 

parents when a small child. There he received his common school education 
and at an earl}- age was apprenticed to a tanner. He grew to manhood in 
Mount Carmel and was married in that place. In 1852, when he was about 
twenty-six years of age, he came to Owensville, Gibson county, Indiana, 
where George T., the subject of this sketch, was born. In 1854 Mr. Keneipp 
began farming in Montgomery township, about one and one-half miles north 
of Owensville, on a forty-acre tract of land. After operating this farm for 
about a year, he moved five miles north of Owensville on a farm on Skelton 
creek, where he lived for three years. Then an opportunity presenting itself 
to enter the business world, he moved to Owensville and entered into a part- 
nrship with James Montgomery in the general mercantile business. Not 
finding this to his liking, he sold out his interest three years later and pur- 
chased a farm about one and one-half miles northwest of Owensville, the 
farm now occupied by his son, Fielding L. Here he lived until 1890, when he 
moved about one and one-half miles south of this farm to another place, 
where he spent the remainder of his days, his death occurring December 4, 
1893. His wife, Mrs. Robert Keneipp, mother of the subject of this sketch, 
was a native of this county, and was born about one mile north of Owens- 
ville. She is still living with her son. Fielding, at the advanced age of eighty- 
four years. To these parents were born two children. Fielding L. and George 
T. Fielding married Edith Kirkpatrick and lives on the old homestead farm, 
and has three children, Nellie, who married Luther Knowles, who died some 
vears ago, and now makes her home with her father on the farm ; she has one 
child. Alvin ; Anna May married Hugh Marvel, a farmer living on the home 
place, and is the mother of one daughter, Eugenia; Robert lives with his par- 
ents on the home farm. 

George T. Keneipp was married October 20, 1875. to Kitty H, the 
daughter of Henry and Eliza (Mason) Matthews. Her father is a native 
of Buckinghamshire. England, and came to this country when the subject's 
wife was only six weeks old. They came to New Jersey, where they re- 
mained for four years, then they came wot and settled near Evansville on a 
farm, where they remained for one year, but wishing to take up his old 
trade of miller, he moved to Hazleti>n, Gibson county, Indiana, where he 
entered the employ of Byram Bingham, who owned and conducted a large 
flouring mill. He worked in this mill for three years, when he came to 
Owensville and bought the old Star mill from John Walker. He continued 
to operate this mill until his death, which occurred February 12, 1877. His 
wife was also a native of England, and her death occurred February 5, 191 1, 



GIBSON COUNTY, I MHANA. ~\ I 

in Owensville, at the. home of Mr. and Mrs. Keneipp. .Mr. and .Mrs. Henry 
Matthews were the parents of six children: Emma, deceased: Harry, de- 
ceased; Thomas J.; Kitty: Joseph, deceased, and Wayne, deceased. Emma 
married John S. Lucas, and they had live children, Henry, John. Harvey, 
Emma, deceased, and Noble; Thomas J. married, first. Ella Barker, whose 
death occurred January 20, [883, and subsequently he married Mrs. Martha 
Boren, and by his second marriage there were three children, Hugh, I'.vron 
and Paul. 

To Mr. and Mrs. George Keneipp have been horn six children: Arthur 
M.. Hervey, Lucretia, deceased in 1908: Eunice. Elsie, deceased in [897; 
and Zella. Arthur M. married Xola Bixler and lives on a farm about 
mile west of his father's farm; they have one son, James, who lives at home, 
and one who died in infancy; Hervey married Margaret Dorsey, and lives 
on a farm near Owensville. He graduated in mechanical engineering fi 
Purdue University in 1905, and afterwards spent two years in the Baltimore 
& Ohio railroad shops at Baltimore, but was compelled to return to agricul- 
tural life, because of his health, came hack to Owensville and engaged in 
farming: he has two children, Harry and Warren; Eunice married Je 
Montgomery and resides in Owensville, and has two children, Alice and 
Philip; Zella married W. S. Jaques and lives on a farm about two miles v 
of Owensville, and has one child, Howard: Lucretia married H. A. Smoth- 
ers, a veterinary surgeon in Mount Carmel, Illinois; they have one son, 
I leorge; Elsie died at the age of eight years. 

George T. Keneipp has had a very interesting career in this county, and 
is one of the best known business men within the limits of the county. After 
finishing his education in the Owensville high school he managed his father's 
farm until i8q6, at which time he was appointed township trustee, holding 
this office until November, 1899. He had previously farmed with his father 
in partnership until 1882, when he bought a farm of his own of eighty-seven 
acres near Owensville, and remained on this place until iNoq. In this year 
he bought the Barker farm of one hundred and seventy-six acres, and has 
since added twenty acres more to his holdings. This farm he has improved 
in every particular, has drained it. fenced it and brought it to a high state of 
cultivation. Tie has added all the modern improvements, which lighten the 
labor of the farmer, and is universally conceded to he one of the mosl pro- 
gressive farmer- in this locality. 

Mr. Keneipp takes an active interest in the different fraternities of 
Owensville, being a member of four different fraternal organizations, the 



712 GIBSON COUNTY, INDIANA. 

Free and Accepted Masons, Modern Woodmen of America, the Tribe of 
Ben-Hur and the Court of Honor. Although he has always taken an active 
part in the deliberations of the Republican party, he has never held any 
political office except the office of trustee, which is held by appointment. He 
takes an intelligent interest in current affairs, and is well posted on all politi- 
cal questions of the day. 

Mr. Keneipp and his wife have long been members of the Methodist 
Episcopal church of Owensville, he being a trustee and steward of the 
church, and they are both firm believers in the efficiency of the various church 
organizations. They do much good and devote a great deal of their time to 
the social and missionary work of their church. 

Mr. Keneipp has been uniformly successful in all of his business trans- 
actions, and the directorate of the Owensville Banking Company has rec- 
ognized his executive ability by electing him president of that company. . He 
is a very companionable, quiet and unassuming man. and has reached his 
success in life only by hard work and painstaking effort. He is widely ac- 
quainted throughout the county and is well liked by all with whom he comes 
in contact. No movement which has for its object the betterment of the 
social, moral or religious welfare of his community is ever broached which 
does not find in him a ready and sympathetic helper. Such men as he are a 
blessing to the community in which they live. 



VICTOR LEMME. 



Whether the elements of success in life are innate attributes of the in- 
dividual or whether they are quickened by a process of circumstantial de- 
velopment it is impossible to determine. It is certainly true that the profes- 
sion of teaching gives one habits of industry and application which are es- 
sential to success in any other profession. No one will gainsay the fact that 
fifteen years' experience in the school room is a very valuable asset to any 
man and when 'to this is added those sterling qualities of good common sense 
and sound business judgment, the man so blessed is sure to make a success 
in any undertaking. A gentleman with all these admirable qualities is Victor 
Lemme, and a perusal of his career should be an incentive to the younger 
generation. 

Victor Lemme, the son of William C. and Maria A. (Burton) Lemme, 
was born September 14, 1873, in Barton township, Gibson county, Indiana. 



GIBSON COUNTY, [NDIANA. 713 

His father came to America from Germany when he was ten vears of age 
and, with his parents, settled in Vanderburg county, this state, where they 
lived for a short time before permanently removing to Gibson comity. The 
mother of the subject died in February, [893, leaving three children, Victor, 
the immediate subject of this sketch; Charles E., a fruit grower in Utah, and 
Herbert J., a court stenographer living at Princeton, Indiana. Some years 
after the death of Mrs. William Lemme, Mr. Lemme married again, and to 
this union were born two children, both of whom are still at home with their 
parents. 

Victor Lemme was educated in the district schools of Barton township, 
and then completed his high school education at Princeton, following this 
with a course at the Central Normal College at Danville, Indiana, and was 
also a student in the Vincennes University, and one of the first students to 
enur the Oakland City College, which he attended for five terms. Thus 
equipped, he started nut to teach in his home township and was a successful 
teacher in the county for fifteen years. He inherited from his parents the 
German habits of thrift and industry and invested his savings in land, spend- 
ing his summers on the farm while he was teaching school. He continued 
his pedagogical work until 1908, when the citizens of his township prevailed 
upon him to run for the office of trustee, and showed their confidence in his 
ability by electing him to that office by a large majority. This office is one 
of the most important within the suffrages of the people, and he is discharg- 
ing its duties to the entire satisfaction of the citizens of the township. He 
has twenty teachers under his jurisdiction and is rapidly bringing the schools 
of his township t<> a high state of excellence. During his term of office he 
has had one certified high school established, and the high school at Mackey 
is doing excellent work for the short time which it has been in existence. 1 [is 
term of office will not expire until January. 1015. 

Mr. Lemme was married April 6. 1899, to Minnie Miller, daughter of 
Samuel and Cornelia 1 Stroud ) Miller, both natives of South Carolina. Mr. 
and Mi - v Miller are the parents of three children. Minnie, the wife of the sub- 
ject of this sketch; William B., a stock buyer at Somerville, and James S.. 
who lives at home. To. Mr. and Mrs. Lemme has been born one son. Mau- 
rice M.. born February 23, 1905, who is now attending the schools in his 
t< iwnship. 

Mr. Lemme is now living on his farm of one hundred and thirteen acre-, 
and is regarded as one of the mosl progressive and enterprising young 
farmers of his county. His teaching experience makes him a very competent 



7I4 GIBSON COUNTY. INDIANA. 

trustee, and the interests of the township are well served by him. Politically. 
he has always been a Democrat and his party has recognized his ability by 
electing him to his present office. Fraternally, he is a member of the Free and 
Accepted Masons and Knights of Pythias, his membership in both lodges 
being held at Oakland City. Air. Lemme has succeeded in his chosen voca- 
tion solely through his own courage and persistence, and he is a man who 
believes in lending whatever aid he can to his neighbors. He has not only 
attained a definite degree of success in his profession as teacher and farmer, 
but he has at the same time greatly benefited the community in which he 
lives, and for this reason well merits a place in a biographical volume of this 
nature. 



JAMES L. STEWART. 

The gentleman to a brief review of whose life and characteristics the 
reader's attention is herewith directed is among the favorably known and 
representative citizens of Oakland City, Gibson count}', Indiana. He has by 
his enterprise and progressive methods contributed in a material way to the 
advancement of his locality and during the course of an honorable career 
has been fairly successful in his business enterprises, having been a man of 
energy, sound judgment and honesty of purpose, and is thus well deserving 
of mention in this volume. 

James L. Stewart was born December 12, 1844, in Palmyra, Missouri, a 
son of Thomas P. and Frances (Sanders) Stewart, who were natives of 
Louisville, and after their marriage went westward into Missouri. James 
Stewart, the father of Thomas P., was a native of Georgia. He was de- 
scended from colonists who had accompanied the British General Oglethorpe 
when he came to the new world and founded the colony of Georgia. Pater, 
Tames Stewart and family located in Kentucky, near Louisville, on the 
Beardstown pike, and where the first toll gate was located. There they ob- 
tained land which they cleared and where they made a comfortable home, 
and passed the remainder of their lives. James' wife was Jane Stephens, a 
cousin of Alexander PI. Stephens, and to their union were born four chil- 
dren, namely: Susan, Sarah, Thomas P. (father of the immediate subject 
of this sketch) and James. 

Thomas Patrick Stewart, father of James L., grew to manhood in Ken- 
tucky, having the advantage of but limited schooling, but was a self-taught 



GIBSON COUNT'S . [NDIANA. 



7^5 



man. It was about 1835 when he wenl to Palmyra, Missouri, which was (hen 
but a small village indeed. The Indians were thick about the settlement and 
wild game of all kinds was plentiful. He was a pla trade and this 

. occupation he followed until his death in Palmyra, in 1889, al the advanced 
age of eighty years. His wife had died two years previously, a1 th< 
seventy-two. Both were consistent members of the Chrisl lb- 

had originally been a stanch Whig in politics and at th. ition of that 

party refused to cast his vote with the others then in existence, because lu- 
had been a leader of the Whig party until Horace Greeley ran for President 
in 1872 and for whose election he voted. Thomas !'. Stewart and wif< 
family of three children: Gabrillia, widow of Thomas J Johnson, resides in 
the state of Colorado; James L., the immediate subject of this -ketch, and 
Sarah P., widow of James Reeves, of Montrose, Towa. 

The subject of this sketch received but very limited schooling when a 
boy and started out in life for himself when but a lad of fourteen years. He- 
worked at various occupations and in various place-; for a time, and in 1803 
or i86_i left Missouri, coming to Evansville, Indiana, and in January, 181 
he enlisted in Company A, One Hundred and Forty-third Regiment Indiana 
Volunteer Infantry. He was sent to Murfreesboro, Tennessee, Tallah 
and Clarksville and did garrison duty until October of the same vear, when 
he was discharged. He returned to Evansville and came on to Princeton. 
Indiana, and has since been a resident of Gibson county. Tie first went to 
work for William H. Evans on the Princeton Democrat, where he stayed 
for a year, and from that time until 1878 he was a sort of journeyman 
printer, being employed on papers in various towns. In the year above n 
tioned, he settled in Oakland City, Indiana, where, on September r«), [880, 
he was united in marriage to Alice M. Dickson, of Center township, Gibson 
county, a daughter of John and Catherine (Elliott) Dickson, who died in 
1859. During the Civil war he served as a private in Company D, Fifty- 
eighth Regiment Indiana Volunteer [nfantry, having enlisted at Princeton. 
After the war he took up his old residence in Center township, later going 
to Illinois. However, he did not long remain there and returned to Gibson 
county, dying at Francisco in [896. They were the parents of three chil- 
dren: Sarah, who is Mrs. James Wood-, of Princeton: Mr^. Stewart, wife 
of the subject of this sketch, and Margaret, deceased. 

Mr. Stewart has continued to reside in Oakland City -nice tir-l going 
there before hi- marriage and 1- a plasterer by trade. 1 [e has also from time 
to time done some newspaper work. Mr. and Mr- Stewart originally had 



yi6 GIBSON COUNTY, INDIANA. 

three sons and one daughter who died in infancy. The eldest son gave his 
life to his country during the Spanish-American war. This was Raymond 
T.. born October 8, 1881. He received his education in the home schools ami 
in November, 1898, enlisted in Company D, Twelfth Regiment Regular 
United States Army. He was a musician, a cornet player. He was sent di- 
rect to the Philippines and was in the battle of San Fernando Angeles. He 
contracted dysentery in a very bad form, was taken to the hospital on August 
9th and remained there until January 2nd following. He was returned to 
the United States and died on February 18, 1900, at Presidio, California. 
The remains were returned to Oakland ( 'ity and interred in Montgomery 
cemetery. Mattie, the daughter, born May 18, 1883, died August 27, 1883. 
Maxwell 1)., the second son, was born June 2. 1884, and was educated in the 
schools of his native town. He has always been employed by the Nordyke 
& Marmon Company at Indianapolis and resides there. He married Georgia 
Cooper and they have two children, Elenore and Charles. The third son, 
Donald \\ .. was born July 23, [893. lie attended the grade and high schools 
at home and is now on the road for the Fairbanks-Morse Company of In- 
dianapolis, selling their gasoline engines. 

Mr. Stewart is a member of the Grand Army of the Republic at Oak- 
land t it\ and bis religious affiliation is with the Christian church, while politi- 
cally he is a stalwart supporter of the Democratic party. Fraternally, he is a 
member of Oakland City Lodge No. 467. Free and Accepted Masons. He 
is very well known throughout the count}' as a man whose principles of living 
are such as to win for him the high regard of all. He is a man who keeps 
well posted on current events and is considered one of the best impromptu 
speakers in Gibson county. During the years of his residence here, he has 
made many warm friends, which is a fitting tribute to a man's genuine worth. 



ISAAC L. MOUNTS. 



Too much honor cannot be given to the boys in blue who fought through 
the long and bloody struggle in the sixties. When they heard their country's 
call they forsook their ordinary vocations, enrolled under the stars and 
stripes, and with patriotic fervor and enthusiasm braved all the dangers of 
the battlefield in order that our beloved flag might continue to wave from the 
lakes to the gulf. The sacrifices they made cannot be calculated, the dangers 
they encountered cannot be computed, and yet they were never found -unwill- 



GIBSON COUNTY, INDIANA. 717 

ing to do their full duty. The homage of a grateful people is theirs and we 
delight to accord them all the praise so justly due them. Among the few 
veterans who are left in Gibson count) none are more deserving of a worthy 
place in this volume than the gallant old soldier whose name heads this sketch. 
Isaac L. Mounts, one of the best known pioneer citizens of Gibson 
county, was born three miles south of Owensville, August 14, 1839, the s " n 
of Garrard and Martha (Montgomery) .Mounts. Garrard Mounts, a nal 
of Kentucky, migrated to this state in early life and settled on land near Black 
River, three miles south of Owensville. Mr. and Mrs. Garrard Mounts died 
several years ago. They were the parents of twelve children: Mrs. Nancy 
Emerson, deceased: Mrs. Almira Redman, deceased: Wesley, deceased; 
Smith, deceased; Mrs. Elizabeth Trible, who is still living; Eliza Ellen, de 
ceased; Parmelia, deceased; John D., deceased; Isaac L., the immediate sub- 
ject of this sketch; .Mrs. Martisha Redman; Indiana, and one child who died 
in infsncy. 

Isaac L. Mounts spent his boyhood days on the farm and received what 
meager schooling the district schools of the township afforded. At the open- 
ing of the Civil war he heard his country's call and responded with all the 
enthusiasm of youth, throwing his fortunes in with the thousands of young 
men who were ready to endure all dangers for their country's sake He 
enlisted in Company F, Fifty-eighth Regiment Indiana Volunteer [nfantry, 
011 November 2^,. 1862. His company was attached to the Army of the 
West and immediately after his enlistment he was transferred to Tennessee, 
where he participated in the second day's battle of Shiloh. It is sible 

in this connection to detail all the fights and skirmishes through which 
gallant Fifty-eighth fought. Among the more important en tents in 

which Mr. Mounts was a participant were Shiloh, Chickamau tta- 

nooga, Missionary Ridge. Stone's River and the siege of Knoxville. \t 
Knoxville his company was organized into a pontoon train, and from that 
time until the end of the war they were building bridges and doing guard 
duty. After joining the pontoon brigade he engaged in no more battles, 
ing as a non-commissioned corporal from that time until the close of the 
war. He was mustered out at Indianapolis July 25, tSo;. Tt is interesting 
to note at this place that the hist if the Fifty-eighth Indiana Regimenl has 
n compiled b? Colonel Gil R. Stormont. of Princeton, the editor of this 

wi irk. 

\fter the close of the war Mr. Mounts returned to his home in Gibson 
county. He had cone through the whole war without being wounded or 



/l8 GIBSON COUNTY, INDIANA. 

having his health impaired, proof of which is evidenced by his good health 
at the present time. The fifty years which have elapsed since the close of the 
war have been spent in agricultural pursuits in this county, where he has 
brought his farm'to a high state of cultivation. He is a very quiet, pleasant 
and unassuming man, keen of memory and progressive in his methods of 
business. 

Mr. Mounts was married January t, 1871, to Sarah E. Pritchett, the 
daughter of Elijah and Elizabeth (Rutledge) Pritchett, and to this union 
has been born one son, John, who is unmarried and lives at home with his 
parents ; Ada, deceased ; and Jessie, deceased. 

Mr. Mounts is a man who by his own unaided efforts has worked his 
wav from a modest beginning to a position of influence in his community. 
His life throughout bis whole career has been one of unceasing industry and 
perseverance and the systematic and honorable methods which he has fol- 
lowed have won for him the unbounded confidence of his fellow citizens of 
Gibson, whose interests he has ever had at heart. His career presents a 
notable example of those qualities of mind and character which have ever 
overcome obstacles and won success, and his example is eminently worthy of 
imitation. 



ROBERT A. ALLEN. 



Among the men who have led an eminently active and useful life in this 
county for the past fifty years the name of Robert A. Allen is prominent as 
one who has been identified with the life of the community in which he has 
lived. His career is that of an able and conscientious worker and his friends 
know him as a man of tireless industry and unafraid to carry out his convic- 
tions. As a man of high integrity and genial, affable nature, he has won 
countless friends among the good people of his locality, where he has lived 
so many years. 

Robert A. Allen, the son of John and Letitia (Cook) Allen, was born in 
Gibson county, Indiana, on May 15, 1863. John Allen was born in Ireland 
in 1824 and it was there that he met and wooed the girl who became his wife, 
who was born in 1825. They came to America in 185 1, landing at New 
Orleans and later moved to Princeton, where they remained for about ten 
years. They then moved to a farm in this county, just west of Princeton, 
known as the "Cherry Grove" farm, which they operated for about ten years, 



GIBSON COUNTY. INDIANA. 



719 



after which they moved on the farm where Mr. Allen now lives [ohn Allen 
died on Decemher 9, 1899, and his wife followed him to the other land on 
April 3, 1909. Mr. and Mrs. John Allen were the parents of a large family 
of eight children: Mrs. Catherine Sprow. who lives near h station; 

Andrew D., who resides in Alton, Missouri; Mrs. Letitia A. Lathrop, of 
Princeton; Mrs. Mary J. Knowles, who lives in Nebraska; Thomas, a farmer 
in this county; Mrs. Rebecca Schlamp. whose husband is a farmer in this 
county; Robert A., and James, who lives on a farm in Patoka township. 

Robert A. Allen received the best education afforded by the district 
schools of his neighborhood and spent his childhood and earlv manhood 
working on the home farm. He has devoted his whole life to agricultural 
pursuits and has met with success commensurate with his efforts, lie is 
practical and methodical in his labors and gives his personal attention to every 
detail of his farm work with the result that he has an enviable standing in 
the community because of his ability and success in his chosen vocation. In 
addition to the raising of grain and fruits, he also gives some attention to 
the breeding and raising of live stock, which he has found to be a profitable 
source of income. His farm of sixty-six and two-thirds acres is well im- 
proved in every respect. His substantial and attractive residence, com- 
modious and well arranged barns and well kept fences all bear evidence to 
the wise discrimination and excellent taste of their owner. 

Robert A. Allen was married March 22, T900, to Rosa Laib, daughter 
of Lewis and Sophia (Blessing) Laib. Lewis Laib was born in Baltimore, 
Maryland, and it was there that he met his future wife. They came to Gibson 
county, Indiana, in 1857 and he has been a farmer in this county during 
all these years and is still living on his farm of one hundred and fifty-five 
acres near Princeton. His wife died January 7, 1914, and is buried in the 
Odd Fellows cemetery at Princeton. Mr. and Mrs. Laib were the parents of 
ten children: Edward, of Jackson. Tennessee: Jacob, of Evansville, Indiana; 
Rosa, wife of Mr. Allen; John, of Princeton, Indiana; Sophia, who lives 
at home with her father; Louis, who resides on his father's farm: Joseph, of 
Princeton: William, deceased September 18, 1807; Mrs. Maggie Park and 
Mrs. Nellie Bruce. Mr. and Mrs. Allen are the parents of three children, 
William L., Floyd R. and Hazel. Mrs. Allen is a lady of many kindly graces 
of head and heart, who has bv her kindliness of manner and excellent qualities 
endeared herself to a large circle of friends. 

Mr. Allen gives his ardent support to the Republican party and takes a 
deep interest in public affairs, although he is not in any sen^e a seeker after 



J20 GIBSON COUNTY, INDIANA. 

public office. He and his wife are consistent members of the Methodist 
Episcopal church, Hights Chapel, and take an active part in supporting all 
worthy movements which have for their object the welfare of their fellow 
citizens. Mr. Allen has never shrunk from his duties as a citizen and his 
obligations to the church, his neighbors and friends. To him home life has 
been a sacred trust and nothing has happened which could swerve him from 
the path of rectitude and honor. He easily wins friends and always retains 
them and enjoys a marked degree of popularity in the county where so many 
of his active years have been spent. 



THOMAS WARK. 



Though many years have passed since the subject of this sketch passed 
from the life militant to the life triumphant, he is still favorably remembered 
by many of tbe older residents of Gibson county, and because of his many 
excellent personal qualities and the splendid and definite influence which lus 
life shed over the entire community in which he lived many years, it is par- 
ticularly consistent that specific mention should be made of him in a work 
containing mention of the representative persons of the county. A man of 
high nigral character, unimpeachable integrity, persistent industry and ex- 
cellent business judgment, he stood "four square to every wind that blows," 
and throughout the community he occupied an enviable position among his 
fellow men. 

Thomas Wark was born July 12, 1S11, in the township of Orbeg, 
county Donegal, Ireland, and died August 25, 1895, at Fort Branch, Gibson 
count} - , Indiana, at the age of eighty-four. He was a son of Joseph and 
Martha Wark. An ancestor of the subject removed from Scotland to Ire- 
land and received a grant of land from the British government. According 
to the best information, this was about two hundred years ago, and the 
descendants of this ancestor have continued to hold this same land. 

In 1832 Thomas Wark emigrated to America, landing at New Orleans 
and, coming up the Mississippi and the Ohio rivers, located at or near 
Evansville, Indiana, where for some years he was engaged in trading alone 
the river in eggs, chickens and produce. He later purchased land in Gibson 
county and farmed for some years. He had three brothers and one sister, 
the sister now being the wife of Joseph McClay. Stephen and Joseph en- 




ISABELLA IRWIN. 



ISON COUNTY, INDIANA. 72I 

listed on. the Union side during the Civil war. Joseph having been a member 
of the Home Guard during the famous Morgan raids. Stephen, who had 
previously engaged in farming in Illinois, went to the front from that state, 
but Thomas, the immediate subject of this review, was in such a pi te of 

health that he could not enter the service of his country, much to his regret. 
About the close of the Civil war Thomas War! to Fort and 

made it his home the rest of his days, selling his farm and building an elegant 
modern residence in the town, which is now o< bv his grand-niei 

I isses Irwin. 

During his lifetime the subject made several trips to the Emerald i 
and on his first visit brought with him on his return Isabella I laughter 

of his sister Isabella. She made her home with him and was of great comfort 
and help to the subject in the declining years of his life. On a 1: it to 

his native land Mr. Wark brought back with him a grand-niece, the grand- 
daughter of his sister, Isabella Irwin, tin child being but four and one-half 
years of age when she arrived in this country. Site received a 
in the schools <>i Fort Branch and is now occupying the Wark residence, her 
parents having been John and Euphenie ( Fawcett) Irwin, and her gi 
name Elizabeth. 

Mrs. Isabella Irwin came to join her sister in the summer of [898 and 
still resides with her. The Irwin sisters are faithful members of the'Metl 
dist church and are charming and cultured ladies. They possess a beautiful 
home and have a splendid library and their social activities are confined to the 
most refined circles of their community. 

Mr. Wark was a Republican and very stanch in bis polil ' ews He 
cast his first vote for William Henry Harrison and bis last vote for Benjamin 
Harrison. 



JOHX V SI 



In examining the life records of self-made men it will invariabb 
found that indefatigable industry has constituted the ba<is of their suca 
Of course there are other elements which enter into and conserve the advance- 
ment of personal interest, but the foundation of all true success is earnest, 
persistent endeavor. John A. Spence. the subject of this sketch, is one of 
those self-made men who has achieved his access only by bringing to bear 
those sterling qualities of strict honesty and uprightness which are sure to 
(46) 



722 GIBSON COUNTY, INDIANA. 

bring success Starting in life with practically nothing, he lias by his own 
unaided efforts, won a very comfortable competence, and now lives in a fine 
home surrounded by all the modern conveniences of life. 

John A. Spence, the son of Gabriel and Martha ( McWilliams ) Spence, 
was born in Gibson county, March 6, 1861. His father was a native of 
Ireland and his mother was born in Gibson count}-, Indiana. Early in life 
he was a steamboat man on the Hudson river in New York, but later came 
to Indiana and settled in this county, where he married. To Gabriel Spence 
and wife were born five children : John A., the immediate subject of this 
sketch; Mrs. Emily Finney, who lives at Princeton, Indiana; James M., de- 
ceased; Jennie, who lives with her mother in Princeton, and Mrs. Cora 
Halfaker. who lives in Missouri. Mrs. Gabriel Spence. the mother of the 
subject, is still living in Princeton, her husband having died in July, 1901. 

John A. Spence was educated in the district schools of (Gil >-.< m county 
and worked on his father's farm until be was twenty years of age. On the 
day before he was twenty vears of age he was married to Lottie E. Lock- 
hart, the daughter of William and Minerva (Burton) Lockhart. Mr. Lock- 
hart was a native of Ireland, while his wife was born in Indiana. To Mr. 
and Airs. Lockhart were born seven children. 

Mr. and Mrs. Spence started out in life with only one asset, in addition 
to their own good common sense and ability to work. This was a trotting 
mare, and they still have the old mare, now twenty-eight years of aye. After 
their marriage they bought eighty acres of land two miles and a half south- 
east of Princeton, where they now live, and went into debt for all of it. How- 
ever, by hard work and good management they succeeded in paying for this 
farm many vears ago. Airs. Spence has contributed no little to the succeed 
of the family and deserves an equal share of credit with her husband for 
their splendid home which they now enjoy. They have a fine, new modern 
house and all the conveniences of a city home. In addition to a general sys- 
tem of farming, Mr. Spence deals in blooded horses and also raises a con- 
siderable amount of hogs and milch cows. 

Mr. ami Mrs. Spence have reared an interesting family of five children, 
all of whom are still under the parental roof: Bertha, born September 8. 
1892: Lester, born August 7, 1894; James, born November 22, 1895: Robert, 
born March _\ 1898, and Walter, born March 4. 1900. 

Politically, Mr. Spence is an adherent of the Republican party, but has 
never sought any public office at the hands of his party. He and his family 
are loval members of the Cumberland Presbyterian church in Princeton, and 



NTY, INDIANA. JJT, 

contribute liberally to the support of that denomination. Fraternally, Mr. 
Spence is a member of the Modern Woodmen of America. He is regarded 
by all as one of the representative and progressive men of his county, and 
has been a man of tireless energ} and strong courage and thus has won and 
holds the unqualified esteem of his fellow citizens. He is known as one of 
the most active citizens in his agricultural and stock raising interest-, and his 
labors have been a potenl force in making this county known throughout the 
state for its excellent farms. His success can lie attributed to hi- untiri 
energy and the exercise of the ordinary qualities of common sense, persever- 
ance and sterling integrity. 



RICHARD M. PARRETT. 

One of the old and distinguished families of Gibson county. Indiana, 
which has left its impress upon the material and moral life of the county is 
tin- Parrett family. Robert Parrett came from England to America in [814. 
He was born, reared and married in his native country and hi- oldest daugh- 
ter, Mary Anne, was lorn on board ship mi the voyage to this country. The 
ship in which they came to this country was called the "Mar) \nne" hence 
the name of the first born daughter. Mr. and Mrs. Robert Parrett were the 
parents of ten children, only one of whom. Eva, is now living. These chil- 
dren in order of their birth, are as follows: Mary Anne; fohn W., born [818, 
who was a circuit-rider Methodisl minister, fanner, lawyer and Justice of the 
peace, and died in nn.}. at the age of ninety-five; Richard M., deceased [908; 
William !■'.. who was judge tor thirty years and a member of Congress for 
the Evansville district; Robert, was an attorne\ o1 I igrange, Indiana: he 
was a major in the One Hundredth Regiment Indiana Volunteers, and was 
killed during a windstorm while at the front, a tree falling across his tent. 
He was brought hack to his native state for burial: Mrs. Martha Roberts; 
Mrs. Sarah Reed, who was the wife of Ke\ Hiram Reed, and lived at Evans- 
ville (he was at one time the pastor mi' the Englewood Methodist Episcopal 
church at Evansville, Indiana) ; Jane, who married Alva Johnson, an attorney 
of Evansville: Joseph was also a resident of Evansville; Eva. the only child 
of the ten living, married Union Bethel, of Newburg, Indiana, and. is no 
past eighty years of age. 

Robert Parrett, the father of Richard Parrett, the subject of tin- sketch, 
landed in New York "ii his way from England and went overland t.i Pitts- 



7 24 GIBSON COUNTY, INDIANA. 

burgh, Pennsylvania, and thence down the Ohio river to Cincinnati, Ohio. 
From thence he traveled overland to about fifty miles east of Vincennes, Indi- 
ana, where he remained for about a year. He then located near Blairsville, 
in Posey county, this state, where he lived for two or three years, after which 
he moved to Evansville, Indiana. Here he entered a large tract of land in 
the upper part of what is now Evansville, and he and his sons burned the brick 
and built the first Methodist Episcopal church in that city. He was a local 
preacher of that denomination and always took a great deal of interest in the 
establishment of new Methodist churches and was more or less of a circuit- 
riding preacher all of his life. 1 [e was one of the Methodists who was instru- 
mental in establishing Asbury College at Greencastle, this state, now known 
as DePauw University. 

Richard M. Parrett, the immediate subject of this sketch, received his 
early training in the district schools of Vanderburg county, this state, and 
later with his brother, John, he attended Asbury College at Greencastle. 
While they were in attendance at Asbury College they wished to come home 
for vacation, so they walked from Greencastle to Terre Haute, and then took 
a little boat to Mt. Carmel, and from thence they again walked to Evansville 
to spend the vacation between terms. After Richard had finished his educa- 
tion, he and his brother. William F., went overland to Oregon. Both the 
brothers were married at this time, and took their wives with them on the 
long trip to the far west in 1842, and both of their wives died in that state. 
William Parrett only stayed a short time in Oregon, but Richard remained 
and taught the Indians tor some time. He received an appointment from the 
government as governor of the Indian agencv and remained there for two 
years among the Indians. He then returned to Indiana and married a second 
time. Upon his return to this state he settled in Evansville and engaged in 
the manufacture of brick and later his father and his mother's father helped 
him to buy a farm at Patoka, in Gibson county. He drove through from 
Evansville to his new home, his wife and son making the trip on the train. 
being among the first passengers to make the trip on the new railroad, which 
only ran as far north as White river. He resided on this farm from 1853 
until 1862, when he sold it and moved to Henry county, Indiana, where he 
settled on a farm near Dunreith. After a residence of two years in Henrv 
county, he sold out and bought a farm south of Princeton, this county, and 
three years later he traded this tract for a farm north of Patoka, where his 
son, Charles, now lives. He continued to reside on this farm until he sold 
it to his son and removed to Patoka. where his death occurred in 1898. his 



GIBSON COUNTY, INDIANA. 725 

wife surviving him ten years. Richard M. Parrett was twia married. I lis 
first wife died in Oregon during his stay in that slate. His second wife was 
Anna Eliza Hudelson, of Gibson county, the daughter of Mr. and Mrs. James 
Hudelson, whom he met while coming home for his vacation from Asbury 
College, where he was attending school. There were two children by the first 
marriage, both of whom are deceased. By the second marriage there v 
six children who lived to maturity: Robert X.. born in Evansville, December 
3, 1849; Estella, who married Willoughby Witherspoon, and lives in Indian- 
apolis: Frank H., a farmer living near Oakland City : William F., a banker 
of Patoka, Indiana: Charles K.. who is living on the old homestead near 
Patoka: and Bessie, the wife of E. H. Jenne, of Greencastle, Indiana. 

R. X. Parrett received his education in the primitive schools of his 
county, his first school house being a log structure at Miller's Station. Later 
he attended school at Patoka. and when his parents mined to Henry county, 
this state, he was in school during their residence there. Upon their return 
to Gibson county, he entered the Gorley school south of Princeton and other 
schools in his township. He finished his education by taking a course in the 
normal school at Lebanon, Ohio. After finishing his schooling he went into 
the sawmill business and continued to follow this occupation in Patoka and 
White River townships for the next thirty years. He was very successful in 
this business and accumulated a very comfortable competence, and in 1900 
he bought a half interest in the Princeton Light and Power Company. In noi 
he moved to Princeton and has continued to reside in that place since. The 
Princeton Light and Power Company was incorporated in 1893 vv '* n ;i capital 
stock of one hundred thousand dollars. At the present time H. C. Rarr is 
president : John M. Parrett, secretary and treasurer, and R. N. Parrett. super- 
intendent. In 1890, R. X T . Parrett helped to organize the Farmers Bank at 
Princeton, and he has heen connected with this financial institution since the 
date of its organization until charter expired. He is also a director in the 
People's National Bank of Princeton, and helped organize the 1'rinceton Tele- 
phone Company, of which he is now president, lie was also at one time 
connected with the Hazleton bank, hut disposed of his interests there in order 
to devote more time to his interests in Princeton. 

R. N. Parrett was twice married, his first wife being Maria Gorley, of 
Patoka township, whose death occurred in 1872, leaving two sons, John M.. 
of Princeton, who is secretary-treasurer of the Princeton Lighl and Power 
Company. John married Xettie Berger. The other son by the firs! marriage 
is Fred R.. who is manager of the Princeton Independent Telephone Com- 



~26 GIBSON COUNTY, INDIANA. 

pany. He married Cora Caterjohn. R. X. Parrett's second wife was Nancy 

E. Little, of Patoka, Indiana, the daughter of Robert and (Hartin) 

Little, and to this union there have been born eight children : Mable, the wife 
of L. K. Redman, who is now general agent fur the Chicago & Eastern 
Illinois Railroad Company, which has headquarters at Terre Haute, Indiana; 
Nell, deceased, March, 1914. who married Arthur Book, shoe merchant of 
Princeton; Richard R.. who is now with his father; Jessie, deceased; Mary, 
who is -till at home; William Fletcher, who is connected with the Chicago & 
Eastern Illinois Railroad Company at Terre Haute; Morton Chester, who is 
attending the high school at Princeton, and Catherine, also attending school. 
R. N. Parrett has been a life-long Republican, but has never been a 
seeker after any political office. His extensive business interests have ab- 
sorbed all of his time and attention and he has never felt that he had the time 
to indulge in the game of politics. He is a consistent member of the Meth- 
odist Episcopal church at Princeton, and for many years lias been a trustee in 
the church. Mr. Parrett is a man of excellent endowments and upright char- 
acter and has been a valued factor in local affairs in Gibson county for many 
years He has ever commanded the entire confidence and esteem of his fel- 
low citizens and has been vigilant in his efforts to further the interests of his 
city and county .along material, moral and civic lines. 



WILLIAM A. WHITSITT. 

One of the enterprising and successful farmers of Gibson county, who 
has succeeded in his chosen vocation through his courage, persistency and 
good management is William A. Whitsitt, who comes from a distinguished 
family of this county. He has not only attained to a definite degree of suc- 
cess in agricultural pursuits, but at the same time he lias stood for those 
things which make for the benefit of the community in which he lives, and 
for this reason is one well worthy of mention in a biographical volume of this 
nature. 

William A. Whitsitt, the son of William B. and Margaret (McClure) 
Whitsitt, was born on July 15, 1880, in Princeton, Gibson county, Indiana, 
both his parents also being native- of this county. His father, William B.. 
still resides with his son on the old home farm. His mother"s death occurred 
Tanuary 14, 1908. William B. Whitsitt has followed the occupation of a 



GIBSON COUN I'Y, l Mil \\.\. j_>7 

farmer all his life and is one of the most successful and highly respected 
old veterans in the county. At the time our country was in danger during 
the Civil war, he enlisted and went to the front with the Tenth Regiment of 
Indiana Volunteer Cavalry and served for aboul one pear and a half, being 
mustered out in June, [865, at Vicksburg" Mississippi, [mmediately after 
the close of the war he returned to Gibson county, and in [869 he was mar- 
ried to Margaret McClure, the daughter of Joseph and Catherine X*. ( Devine) 
McClure, and to this union were born four children: Samuel C, Joseph P. 
and Anna B., who are all deceased, William A., the immediate subjeel of 
this sketch, being the only surviving child. 

William A. Whitsitt was given the best education which the district 
schools of this county afforded at that time, and while he was attending 
school, he put in all of his spare time working on his father's farm, 'tie is 
now the owner of a fine farm near Princeton, which he has brought to a high 
state of cultivation, and his ninety-three acres is one of the highest priced 
tracts in the county. Here he raises all the crops common to this locality and 
in addition is a breeder of pedigreed Holstein cattle. His farm is well equip- 
ped with all modern machinery and agricultural accessories and he also has 
a fine home and excellent barn and other outbuildings, lie keeps abreast of 
the times in every way and is looked upon as one of the most progressive 
young farmers of this locality. 

Mr. Whitsitt was married January 29, [903, to Leafy L. Myers, the 
daughter of Aaron and Hannah S. (Cole) Myers. Aaron Myers is a native 
of Gibson county, while his wife was born in Vanderburg county, this sta 
Mr. and Mrs. Whitsitt are the parens of four children: Helen F., horn 
August 6, 1905 ; William E., born March 6, [907: Robert F., born March 15, 
1909, and Wayne A., horn February n. [912. All of these children wi 
horn in Gibson county except William, who was horn in Lawrence county, 
Illinois. 

The father of William A. Whitsitt is residing with him on the farm. 
as is the mother of Mrs. Whitsitt. Both father and son have always voted 
the Republican ticket until the fall of [912, when they cast their lot with the 
new Progressive party. All the members of tin- family are adherents of the 
Methodist Episcopal church at Princeton, and are interested in its varii 
activities. William B. Whitsitl i- a charter 1 of the Grand Arm) 

the Republic Post No. 28, at Princeton. 

William A. Whitsitt is a quiet and unassuming man. who has never had 
any ambition for public office, but has contributed according to his means 



728 GIBSON COUNTY, INDIANA. 

to the civic and moral advancement of his community, while his admirable 
daily life has won for him the respect and confidence of the circles in which 
he moves. He and his wife have a large circle of friends who admire them 
for their hearty hospitality and wholesome influence in the community where 
they reside. They are friends to the poor and charitable to the faults of 
their neighbors and always stand ready to unite with their fellow citizens in 
every good work. 



CYRUS N. ESKEW. 



The science of agriculture — for it is a science as well as an art — finds an 
able demonstrator as well as successful practitioner in the person of Cyrus N. 
Eskew, who is widely known in Gibson county, maintaining a very productive 
and desirable farm in Patoka township. He comes of a very highly honored 
pioneer family, members of which have played well their parts in the general 
development of this favored section of the great Indiana commonwealth. 

Cyrus N. Eskew was born on February 5, 1857, m Boone township, 
Warrick county. Indiana, the son of John and Annie (Carter) Eskew. both 
horn and raised near Bowling Green, Kentucky. John Eskew came to In- 
diana in early manhood with his parents, James Eskew and wife, who ob- 
tained a wild tract of land in Boone township, Warrick county, to the clear- 
ing and cultivation of which they devoted their sole attention. James Eskew 
followed farming throughout his active life, and was a man of sound princi- 
ples, persistent industry and genuine worth. John Eskew was reared on the 
paternal farm in Warrick county, and had but little opportunity to go to 
school, his early years being required in the strenuous labor of the frontier 
farm. However, he was ambitious to secure an education, and by hard and 
persistent home study he became a well-informed man. After his marriage 
he acquired a tract of land adjoining his father's farm, which, when cleared, 
developed into a splendid farm. In the spring of 1869 he located near Oak- 
land City, Gibson county, where he lived until his death, which occurred in 
Januarv, 1911. His wife had died man)- years before, passing away in 
i860. For his second wife he married Mrs. Martha J. Wakeland, the widow 
of Samuel Wakeland, who is now living near Oakland City. By his first 
wife Tohn Eskew is the father of the following children: Delia C, who died 
in March, 1912, was the wife of Daniel Tracer, a farmer in Gibson county; 
Julia Ann, also deceased, was the wife of Shedrick Parker, a Gibson county 
farmer; Thomas B., who is a farmer in Warrick county, Indiana, married 



CO 

K 

> 

•z, 




GIBSON COUNTY, INDIANA. 729 

Melinda Robison; Cyrus, the immediate subject of this sketch; Jasper, a 
fanner at Francisco. To John Eskew's second marriage were born four 
children, namely: Sylvester, deceased: Sarah J., the wife oi William Collins, 
a farmer near Oakland City; John Franklin, a farmer near Oakland City, 
who married Mattie Spore, and Emma, the wife of James Harbison, who 
In es near Francisco. 

Cyrus N. Eskew had but little opportunities for securing an education 
and remained under the parental roof until nineteen years of age. lie then 
began farming on his own account near Patoka, but four years later moved 
to Patoka and there followed agricultural pursuits for a like period. Mr. 
Eskew maintained his residence in Patoka until [888, when he moved to 
King's Station. Indiana, where he rented land and farmed for eighteen 
years. \t the end of this period he bought the sixty-four acre fact on wl 
he now lives and also "forty-three and one-half acres in another tract, and has 
since given his attention to its operation. lie has also for the pasl three years 
been engaged in the grain and coal business at King's Station, in which he 
has met with pronounced success. Ins treatment of his customers being such as 
to retain their friendship and patronage. By his persistent efforts and good 
management Mr. Eskew has been enabled to gain a distinctive success in the 
various lines of effort to which he has applied himself and won a large fol 
lowing of warm and loyal friends since locating in Gibson county. 

On December 14, 1882, Mr. Eskew married Mary C. Harris, who was 
born in Patoka. the daughter of John Wesley and Hannah | Key 1 Harris, the 
father horn in 1833, near Chattanooga, ami the mother a native of < libson 
county, Indiana. John W. Harris came to Gibson county in i860, settling in 
Patoka, where he followed the trade of carpentry. Mr. Harris was a mem- 
ber of the Baptist church, his wife holding membership in the Method 
Episcopal church. The Harris family has for many years been prominent in 
the various localities where its members have lived, and was among the early 
settlers of Harrisburg. Dauphin county. Pennsylvania. Trior to her mar- 
riage to Mr. Harris, Mrs. Harris was the wife of William Johnson, of 
Patoka, and to them were born three children. Alice Melinda. the wife of 
William Sternur. of Patoka. Lizzie Etter, the wife of Newton h'.tter. and 
( harles. who died in 1912. To Mr. and Mrs. I [arris were horn the following 
children: Mary C. (Mrs. Eskew); Fannie, the wife of John Jones, of 
Patoka; fohn, who has been a member of the lire department of Memphis, 
Tennessee, for several years, married Kate Burbank : Frank, of Indianapolis, 
a traveling salesman, married Pearl Hitch: Nora is the wife of Preston Mil- 



730 GIBSON COUNTY, INDIANA. 

burn, of Patoka; Wallace, a grain dealer of Patoka, married Stella Trippert, 
and Minnie, who died in early youth. To Mr. and Mrs. Eskew have been 
born two children, Estella M., the wife of Arch \\ hittaker, a farmer at King's 
Station, and they have two children. Mary Helen and John L. ; Marjorie 
Geraldine is at home with her parents. Estella. who graduated from the 
Princeton high school with the class of 1903, was a teacher for three years. 
Air. Eskew has always taken a deep interest in educational matters and has 
served efficiently as school director at King's Station, and as a stanch Repub- 
lican he has always been active in the support of his political party. He and 
his wife are members of the Methodist F.piscopal church, to which they 
give earnest support. They are well known throughout the community and 
enjoy the friendship and esteem of all who know them. 



PRESTON MILBURN. 



The following is the sketch of a plain, honest man of affairs, who by 
correct methods and a strict regard for the interests of his patrons has made 
his influence felt in Patoka and won for himself distinctive prestige in the 
business circles of that city. He would be the last man to sit for romance or 
become the subject of fancy sketches, nevertheless his life presents much that 
is interesting and valuable and may be studied with profit by the young, 
whose careers are yet to be achieved. He is one of those whose integrity and 
strength of character must force them into an admirable notoriety which 
their modesty never seeks, who command the respect of their contemporaries 
and their posterity and leave the impress < f their individuality deeply stamped 
upon the community. 

Preston Milburn, a successful merchant and prominent citizen of Patoka, 
was born in Lynn county. Missouri, on Ma) 1. 1867, the son of Captain 
Augusta and Belle (Devin) Milburn. The father was born on the old Mil- 
burn homestead in Gibson county. Indiana, on December 23, 1838, and the 
mother was born in Gibson county about 1S41 on the old Tichenor homestead. 
The father was a farmer, and was a veteran of the Civil war, having served 
as captain of Company C, Fifty-eighth Regiment Indiana Volunteer Infantry, 
in which he saw service from 1861 to 1865. At the battle of Missionary 
Ridge he was severely wounded, the bullet striking his nose and passed 
through his face and right jaw, coming out through the neck. He was in the 



GIBSON COUNTY, [NDIANA. 731 

battle of Shiloh and all the other important battles in winch the Fifty-eighth 
Regiment took part. 

He received his education in the public schools at Patoka, and in i 
the famil) went to Missouri. In [874 they returned to G ainty, where 

he followed farming up to the last few years, when he retired from active 
labor and his death occurred in August, [907. His wife died in 1899. They 
were the parents of five children, of whom. Preston, the subject of this sketch, 
was the first horn, the others being Alexander IV. deceased; Harve) ; Sue. the 
wife of Oscar Witherspoon; and Alary, the wife of I). R. Trippett, of Mem 
phis, Tennessee. 

Preston Milburn, after completing his education in the common schools. 
engaged in teaching for five years in White River township, and then for 
me time was employed as clerk in a store at Patoka. Oil May 1. [897. he 
became postmaster of Patoka, in which position he served for eleven con-. 
tive years, giving eminent satisfaction not only to patrons oi the ofHc< 
the postoffice department. Since March to, [904, Mr. Milburn has been en- 
gaged in the general mercantile business in Patoka, he and his brother, Alex- 
ander 1)., buying the property from F. A. White. Eventually his brother died. 
February 2j. 1910, and the subject has -nice conducted the business on his 
own account. He has been very successful in his enterprise and has also 
acquired the ownership of a farm of three hundred and forty-five acres of 
bottom land in White River township, which has proven a comfortable source 
1 if income. 

On June 10. 1896, Preston Milburn married Nora Harris, the daughter 
of J. W. and Hannah Harris, of Patoka, and to the n horn three 

children: Alexander. Almvra and Josephine. 

Politically, .Mr. Milburn has been a life-long Republican, and has taken a 
deep interest in the success of his party. Religiously, he is affiliated with the 
Methodist Episcopal church to which he gives earnest support. Fraternally, 
iie is affiliated with the Modern Woodmen of America and the Free and 
Accepted .Masons at Patoka. Ili- career ha- ever been an honorable oik-, his 

itions to his fellowmen have always been above reproach, and hi- g 1 

name beyond criticism. lie wears the proud American title of "self-made 
man" and being in the most literal sense of the term tin- architect of In- own 
fortune, he may well feel a sense of pride in his acln I and the hon 

able position to which he has attained among the enterprising citizen- of the 
county, in which the busy years of I, e life have been passed. 



732 GIBSON COUNTY, INDIANA. 

W. H. LOWERY. 

Specific mention is made of many of the worthy citizens of Gibson 
county within the pages of this book, citizens who have figured in the growth 
and development of this favored locality and whose interests are identified 
with its every phase of progress, each contributing in his sphere of action to 
the well-being of the community in which he resides and to the advancement 
of its normal and legitimate growth. Among this number is he whose name 
appears above, peculiar interest attaching to his career from the fact that his 
entire useful and busy life has been spent within the borders of this county. 

W. H. Lowery, who is conducting a prosperous and successful meat 
market in Oakland City, Indiana, is a native son of the old Hoosier state, 
having been born in Washington county, Indiana, on January 24, 1858. His 
parents, John A. and Mary J. (Harmon) Lowery, were also natives of 
Washington county, where in early life the father followed farming. Later 
he located near Fredericksburg, in the same county, and engaged in the mer- 
cantile business. About thirty-three years ago he came to Gibson county and 
located in Oakland City where he engaged in mercantile business until about 
two years prior to his death, which occurred in 1906 at Somerville, this 
county. He was survived. about four years by his widow, who died in 1910. 
She was a member of the Christian church for over sixty years, and was one 
of exemplary character and excellent qualities of head and heart, retaining 
to a marked degree the love and respect of all who knew her. To Mr. and 
Mrs. Lowery were born five children : James Franklin, of Washington 
county, Indiana; W. H. the immediate subject of this sketch; Henry T., de- 
ceased; H. P., of Mt. Carmel, Illinois; and Carrie, the wife of Walter 
Downey, of Francisco, Gibson county. 

W. H. Lowery attended the public schools of his home neighborhood in 
Washington county, and was reared to the life of a farmer, which pursuit he 
followed for a number of years. About two years after his father came to 
Gibson county, the subject followed him, and here engaged in farming and 
teaming for four or five years. About twenty-five years ago he established 
his present meat market, in which enterprise he was successful from the start, 
and for a number of years has been the leader of his line in his community. 
He does much of his own butchering and keeps none but the very best grades 
of meat, and this fact, together with his courtesy, and evident desire to please 
his customers, has retained for him a large and representative patronage. 

On October 2. 1879, Mr. Lowery married Isabella McKinster, of Wash- 



GIBSON Ci >UN rv. INDIANA. 733 

ington county, Indiana, and to them have been born four children: Emma, 
the wife of Elwood Burkhardt, of Oakland City; I I Oakland City; 

Lydia, the wife of Lennie Siple, of < )akland City; and Masel, of this pi 

Politically, Mr. Lowery is a stanch supportei of the Republican party, 
although he has been too busy a man to seek public office. His fraternal 
affiliations are with the Modern Woodmen of America, while religiously hi 
a member of the General Baptist church at Oakland City. always 

been interested in the public and civic affairs of the community, and has 
identified himself with business affairs aside from his market, being a din 
in the First National Bank, and giving his support to every r it calcu- 

lated to advance the best interests of the community, denial and unassum- 
ing in his relations with his fellowmen,. he is deservedly popular, and ranks 
among the leading citizens of Oakland City. 



ABSAD >M YEAGER. 



The gentleman whose name open this review long nent 

and enviable standing in the county where he so long made his home, and he 
preserved to an unusually large degree the confidence and respect of the 
people with whom he had so long been associated. His standing was not 
acquired by him because of the influence of wealth, or original social position, 
or the aid of influential friends, but was honestly earned and richly meri 
by In- own inherent worth ; by the possessii >n of th, ise Iran iracter w I 

have always found expression in a life devoted to the welfare of his own 
home circle and to the progress and advancement of the community with 
which he was so closel) connected. Perhaps his dominant and most notable 
characteristic was fidelity to truth and honor. He invariably sought the 
things that were honest and of good repute. In the training of his children 
no precept was so constantl) and so urgentl) insisted on as those which a 
cerned sound and worthy characters. Although his life was a busy one. his 
ffairs making heavy demands upon his time, he never shrank from 
his dut\ a- a citizen and his obligation to the community. To write a de- 
tailed account of his long and useful life would require a much more elabor- 
ate article than the nature of this volume admits . .r n ient will 
be said, however, to form a correct conception of the man and his career, a 
career affording many valuable lessons to the young of the rising generation. 

Absalom Yeager is a son of one of the old sterling families of German 



734 GIBSON COUNTY, INDIANA. 

origin, his ancestors having conic to this country some time during the 
eighteenth century, and settled in Virginia. Joel Yeager, father of the sub- 
ject of this sketch, was born in Jefferson county, Virginia, in 1789. While vet 
a young man, he removed to Kentucky, settling near Alt. Sterling, where he 
was married and where he remained until about [826, when he came to In- 
diana and settled at a point one mile north of < ynthiana, Posey county. There 
he followed the peaceful vocation of farming until his death. While a resi- 
dent of Kentucky, he had married Anna McDonald, also a resident of that 
state, but a native of Virginia. Her deatli also occurred in Posey county. 
They were the parents of four children, three sons and a daughter, of whom 
the youngest was Absalom Yeager, the immediate subject of this sketch, 
whose birth occurred in Campbell county. Kentucky, in 1N10. and who ac- 
companied his parents on their removal to Indiana. In [842 Absalom 
Yeager came to Gibson- county, settling on a tract of timbered land in John- 
son township, where he cleared and developed a farm, and continued to 
reside for many years', being numbered among the sturdy pioneers of that 
locality. He followed agriculture during all of his active years, and was 
noted among the substantial and enterprising citizens of the locality. 

In November, 1842, Absalom Yeager married Elizabeth Williams, who 
was born in Posey count)- in iNjj. daughter of Bennett and Polly William-. 
and to this union were born seven children: Henry A., a prominent attorney 
of Princeton, Indiana; Newton; James M. ; Mary A., who died on April 11, 
[896; Andrew J. : William G. trustee of White River township, and a citizen 
of Patoka; and Emma F. In November, 'No • Absalom Yeager and his wife 
celebrated the golden anniversary of their wedding, and the occasion was 
made a happy and joyous one. not only to this grand old couple, hut to their 
children, and other relatives wdio attended the happy occasion. Mr. and Mrs. 
Yeager were for many years earnest and faithful members of the Baptist 
church, giving of their means to its support, and being actively interested in 
the various affairs of usefulness connected with the religious work of this 
society. Mr. Yeager died in December, 1003. 

Absalom Yeager belonged to a class of men of whom Indiana has great 
reason to be proud, for he was of that type who brought order out of chaos, 
and. unheeding hardships and dangers, he conquered the forests and changed 
them to productive fields, whence came the sustenance of the people. The 
farmer of the long ago opened the way to our present prosperity. The labor 
ami thought involved in obtaining a living from the land in those days stimu- 
lated both mental and physical nature until he became strong and willing to 



GIBSl ' . COUN IV, INDIAN \. 735 

undergo hardships and privations and win such results. Of such was Mr. 
Yeager, whose influence during an eminently industrious life made- for the 
progress of the community, whose interests he ever had at heart. His record 
is the story of a life whose success in life is measured by its usefulness, a lite 
that mad- for good in all its relations with the world. \nd his car High 

in a scn^e uneventful, is well worth being preserved on th< pages of the his- 
tory 1 if his community. 



W. H. SMITH. M D. 



The present age is essentially utilitarian and the life "I" every successful 
man carries a lesson which, told in contemporary narrative, is productive of 
much good in shaping the destiny of ethers. There is. therefore, a due 
measure of satisfaction in presenting, even in brief resume, the hie and 
achievements of such men, and in preparing the following hist the 

scholarly physician whose name appears above, it is with the h it may 

prove not only interesting and instructive, hut also 5erve a an incentivi 
those who contemplate making the medical profession their lite work. 

W. II. Smith, was born in Pike count}', Indiana. November t8, [870, 
the son of Dr. J. T. and Charlotte I Martin) Smith, the former a native of 
Clarksville, Tennessee, and the mother of Pike county, Indiana. Dr. J. T 
Smith, who is nearly eighty years old. has been a practicing physician in Pike 
county for forty years, living at Hosmer, where he has enjoyed the confidence 
and esteem of the community, and where he has been eminently successful 
in the practice of his profession. His wife is deceased. They were the par- 
ent- of three children, two of whom, the subjecl and one sister, Mrs. Zack 
Welton, of Hosmer. are living. W. II. Smith attended the schools of Pike 
county, and supplemented the education there received by attendance in the 
high school at Oakland City. Having determined to make the practice of 
dicine his life work, he entered the Kentucky School of Medicine at Louis- 
ville, where he was graduated in 1893 with the degree of 1 >octor ine, 
and in June of the same year he entered upon the active practice at Hosmer. 
Pike county, where he remained six years. In (889, desiring a larger field 
for his efforts. Dr. Smith came to Oakland City, where he has since resided 
and where he has achieved a reputation as a practitioner of the healing art. 
He realized early that there is a purpose in life and that there is no honor not 
founded on worth and no respect not founded on accomplishments. I lis life 



/o"- 



GIBSON COUNTY, INDIANA. 



and labor have been eminently worthy, because they have contributed to a 
proper understanding of life and its problems. By a life characterized by 
high motives and because of his many fine qualities of head and heart he has 
earned the sincere regard of a vast acquaintance, and his success in his chosen 
field of endeavor bespeaks for him the possession of superior attributes. Yet 
he is a plain, unassuming gentleman and straightforward in all his relations 
with his fellowmen. 

On April 25, 1895, Dr. Smith married Joan McHugh, a native of Pike 
county. She is a lady of culture and refinement and is a popular member 
of the circles in which she moves. Dr. Smith is a Republican in his political 
affiliations, but has been too busy a man to take a very active part in political 
affairs. Fraternally, he is a member of the Independent Order of Odd Fel- 
lows, the Knights of Pythias and the Modern Woodmen of America, while 
professionally, he is a member of the Medical Society of Gibson county, and 
Indiana State Medical Association. He is health officer of Oakland City, 
and has taken a deep interest in all civic affairs connected with the welfare 
of his fellow citizens. He has been successful in his financial affairs, and is 
the owner of a splendid farm in Pike county. Genial and hospitable by- 
nature, he has earned a high place in the esteem of all who know him and is 
rightfully included in the list of representative citizens of his community. 



JONAH G. LEGRANGE. 



Among the men of sturdy integrity ami reliable traits of character who 
have contributed their quota to the advancement of the upbuilding of Gibson 
county, Indiana, mention may most consistently lie made of the gentleman 
whose name appears at the head of this sketch. The prosperity which he 
enjoys has been w< m by commendable qualities and it is also his personal 
worth that has gained for him the esteem of those who know him. 

lonah G. LeGrange, one of the leading stock men and successful farmers 
of Gibson county, Indiana, was born on July 27, 1858, on the old LeGrange 
homestead, Patoka township, and is the son of Richard and Hannah ( Tiche- 
nor) LeGrange, both of whom were natives of Kentucky. The subject's 
maternal grandfather, who also was a farmer, was twice married, and he be- 
came the father of the following children : Aaron, who was a farmer near 
Fort Branch, this county, died at Owensville; John, also deceased, was a 
farmer in Patoka township and died there; William was also a farmer 




JONAH (J. I-K GRANGE. 



GIBSON COUNTY, INDIANA. J $J 

in Patoka township and died there; Peter died in youth; Richard was 
the father of the subject of this sketch; Ann became the wife of a Mr. 
Mounts, of Patoka township; the ninth became the wife of Joshua Embree, 
and lived and died in Wabash township, this county; Polly Ann became the 
wife of Rev. T. M. Strain, of Fort Branch. Richard LeGrange, father of 
the subject, had only a common school education, being a self-learned man, 
but becoming widely informed on general questions. After his marriage he 
located four miles west of Princeton in Patoka township, where, on section 
II, he located and cleared a fine farm, and there reared his family. Subse- 
quently, having gained a competency, he retired from active labor, and 
moved to Princeton, this county, where his death occurred in 187-'. For his 
second wife he married Mrs. Mary Thornburg, of Newburg. lie was widely 
known throughout this section of the count}- and was respected by all who 
knew^ him. An old-line Whig in his early political proclivities, later he be- 
came allied with the Republican party, to which he gave stanch support dur- 
ing the rest of his life. Religiously, he and his wife were members of the 
General Baptist church. By his marriage to Hannah Tichenor he became the 
father of five children: Ann Eliza, deceased, was the wife of Lewis Bink- 
Iey, of Princeton; Clarence, deceased, married Nan LeGrange, who now lives 
in Princeton; Jonah, the subject of this sketch; George, now deceased, mar- 
ried Lillie Whittaker, who. after his death, became the wife of Oscar La- 
Grange, of Patoka township. 

The subject of this sketch received his education in the home schools and 
at Fort Branch, and lived at home until he was twenty-two years of a 
He has followed agricultural pursuits throughout his active life, with 
exception of a period of thirteen years, when he lived at Princeton, engaged 
in the mercantile business, which he later sold to George Skelton. in all the 
enterprises to which he has given his attention he has been eminently suc- 
cessful and for main years he has been numbered among the ive and 
successful business men of the county, lie is the owner of a line farm of 
two hundred and twenty acres besides the home place m Patoka townsb 
and also of one hundred and sixty acres in Uhii m I >v nship. I le carries on a 
general farming business, and also gives considerable attention to live stock, 
raising a good many Duroc Jersey Red hogs, Hereford cattle and Percheron 
horses. He has always bought and sold large numbers of live stock, and has 
found it a very profitable source of income. 

When about twenty-two years of age, the subject of this sketch 

(47) 



738 GIBSON COUNTY, INDIANA. 

married to .Margaret Ayres, of Patoka township, this county, the daughter of 
James and Sarah Ann (Davis) Ayres. Her father came early to Gibson 
county with his family, settling south of Princeton in Patoka township, and 
was numbered among the first settlers. They located in section 31, where 
the lather successfully followed farming pursuits, and was numbered among 
the leading citizens of his locality. To Mr. and Mrs. LeGrange have been 
born three children, George, who died young, one who died in infancy, and 
Clarence, born February _■ 1 , [894, who remained at home. He is a graduate 
of the Princeton high school, with the class of 19 13, and is an estimable and 
promising young man. 

Politically, Mr. LeGrange has given a life-long support to the Republican 
party, and while a resident of Princeton rendered efficient service as a mem- 
ber of the town council. Religiously, he and his familv are identified with 
the General Baptist church, to the support of which they contribute liberally. 
Fraternally, Mr. LeGrange is an appreciative member of the Independent 
Order of Odd Fellows, belonging to the subordinate lodge at Princeton. 

Air. LeGrange has performed well his part in life, and it is a compli- 
ment worthily bestowed to say that this locality is honored m his citizenship, 
for he has achieved eminent success through his own efforts and has always 
stood for what is best in life, giving his support to all movements having for 
their object the betterment of the public welfare. Because of his genial dis- 
position and unassuming manner, he has gained and retains the friendship of 
all who know him. 



HUGFI D. McGARY. 



Among the honorable and influential citizens of Gibson county, Indiana, 
is the subject of this review, who has here maintained his home for many 
years, winning a definite success by means of the agricultural industry, to 
which he has devoted his attention during the years of an active business life. 
His career has been without shadow of wrong or suspicion of evil, and thus 
he has ever commanded the confidence and esteem of his fellowmen. 

Hugh D. McGary was born on February 7, 1839, in Montgomery town- 
ship, Gibson county, Indiana, and is a son of Harrison and Nancy (Pritcard) 
McGary, the father a native of Kentucky, and the mother a native of North 
Carolina. Harrison D. McGary, who had been a soldier in the war of 181 2, 
accidentally came to Gibson county where he entered a tract of land in Mont- 



GIBSON (mi \ , -, [NDIANA. - 59 

gomery township, to the clearing and cultivation of which he devoted his 
attention until his death, which occurred in [845. He was survived several 
years by his widow. They became the parents of three children, namely: 
William IT., who was killed in the battle of Stone's River, Januan 51. [862; 
Joseph K. and Hugh D., both of whom were also veterans of the Civil war. 
Hugh McGarv was reared on the paternal homestead, where he remained until 
1884, when he removed to Princeton. Four years later he returned to the 
farm, and the following year went to California, where he remain 
years. Then returning to Gibson county, he located at Fort Branch, where 
he now resides, although he has business interests in Princeton. Both as 
farmer and business man Mr. McGary's record lias been characterized by per- 
sistent industry, sound business judgment and wise discrimination in the 
conduct of his affairs, so that he was enabled to accumulate a competency 
which has made his later years free from care. 

Mr. McGarv has a most honorable military record, he having enlisted 
May 24. 1861, for a period of three years, at a time when the greater number 
of enlistments were for only three months, and Mr. McGarv now claims that 
no one outside of his regiment enlisted at that time for the three-year pei 
His command was assigned to the Western army, in winch he saw much hard 
service under Col. R. H. Smith, participating in all of the campaigns for which 
the western army was noted and including the terrible battles at Shiloh, 
Stone's River. Chickamauga, Chattanooga and Atlanta, lie is now a member 
of the Grand \rmy of the Republic, where, with his comra dive 

the memories of days gone by. Tn 1884 Mr Vlc( Ian was elected sheriff of Gib- 
son county, and was re-elected in 1886. Tn 1898 he was elected to represent 
Gibson county in the Indiana Legislature, performing his duties to the satis- 
faction of his constituents. He has for many years taken a prominent part 
in local public affairs. His political affiliations have always been with the 
Republican party, while religiously he has long been an earnest and devoted 
member of the General Baptist church at Fort Branch. 

On September 26, [867, he was married to Sarah C. Weed, a native of 
Gibson county, and to them have been born three children: Zenas C, wl 
lives on the old home farm in Montgomery township; Clyde C, who lives in 
Vinita, Oklahoma: and Maud, the wife of John Lucas, of Sedalia, Missouri, 
who is chief clerk for the superintendent of the Missouri, Kansas & Texas 
Railroad. Tn all that constitutes true manhood and good citizenship. Mr. 
McGarv is a worthv example, and none -lands higher than he in the esteem 
and confidence of the circles in which he has moved. 



74° GIBSON COUNTY, INDIANA. 

WILLIAM B. BINGHAM. 

To a great extent the prosperity of the agricultural sections of our 
country is due to the honest industry, the sturdy persistence, the unswerving 
perseverance and the wise economy which so prominently characterize the 
farming element of the Hoosier state. Among this class may be mentioned 
the subject of this life record, who. by reason of years of indefatigable labor 
and honest effort, has not only acquired a well merited material prosperity, 
but has also richly earned the highest esteem of all with whom he is as- 
sociated. 

William B. Bingham was burn in Patoka, Gibson county, Indiana, on 
March 20, 1864, the son of Gordon Byron and Minerva (Stockwell) Bing- 
ham, the former a native of Baltimore, Maryland, and the latter of Princeton, 
Gibson county, Indiana. Gordon B. Bingham, Sr., was the son of a Gordon 
Bingham, also, who was a successful merchant in Baltimore, Maryland. 
During the Civil war period, the subject's father played an important part in 
caring for the business interests of the family at home, and eventually became 
the owner of extensive mercantile interests, comprising a store, flour mill, 
packing house, distillery, etc., and was very successful in the management 
of these enterprises. His death occurred in 1876 and that of his wife in 
1907. Of the eight children born to these parents, but four are now living: 
W. B. ; G. B., of Patoka; Mrs. W. P. Casey, of Patoka; and Mrs. S. G. Ingle, 
of San Diego, California. The city of Princeton, Gibson county, Indiana, 
was named in honor of the Prince family, to which the subject's maternal 
grandmother belonged. The family has been pn >minent and active for many 
years in various business interests, its various members having attained high 
reputations for probity of character, sound business judgment and progressive 
dispositions. William B. Bingham attended the public schools of Patoka, and 
also spent three years in the Evansville high school, thus receiving a good 
practical education. In 1883 he entered upon the active fields of life upon his 
own account as a fanner in the White River bottom in which he had im- 
mediate success and to which he has devoted his attention continuously since. 
He is associated in this enterprise with his brother. Gordon B., as well as in 
the grain business at Patoka, his brother having charge of the latter end of the 
business. By persevering efforts, persistent industry and sound business 
judgment in the handling of their affairs they have realized large returns 
in both lines of their business and today they are numbered among the enter- 
prising and substantial citizens of Patoka. 



GIBSON COUNTY, IMH \N \. 741 

W. B. Bingham has been twice married, first, in 1886 to Jennie Hewlett. 
the niece of Dr. John F. Howard, well known in this locality. Her death 
occurred on December 3, [889, and in [892 Mr. Bingham married Laura 
Hewlett, the daughter of John \Y. Hewlett and a sister of his first wife. To 
this union have been horn four children: fennie, Minerva, Bernice and 
William B., Jr. 

Politically, Mr. Bin-ham has long been a supporter of the Republican 
partv, and is a man of great public spirit, and takes a deep interest in every- 
thing which promises to benefit the community and his fellowmen in any 
way. Fraternally, he is affiliated with the Modern Woodmen of \.meri 
In all the relations of life- Mr. Bingham ha- commanded the confidence and 
respect of those with whom he has been brought into contact and a biographi- 
cal history of his locality would nol b< complete without a record of his career. 



H. A. MILBURN. 



It is with a large degree of satisfaction that the biographer takes up the 
life history of the gentleman whose name forms the caption of this article, a 
man widely known as one of the honored citizens of Gibson county, and wdio, 
though a comparatively young man, has already become prominently identified 
with the varied interests of his community. His well-directed efforts in the 
practical affairs of life, his capable management of his business interests and 
his sound judgment have brought to him prosperity, and his life demonstrates 
what may be accomplished by the man of energy and ambition, who is not 
afraid to work. In all the relations of life he In- commanded the respect and 
confidence of all with whom he has been broughl in contact, and the history 
of Gibson county would be incomplete withoul a record of his career 

Herbert V Milburn, fur many year- a prominent citizen and successful 
business man of Patoka, Gibson county, Indiana, and the postmaster of that 
thriving town, was born on November 23, [872, the -on of Edgar and Mar 
garet L. (Sellers) Milburn. He is descended from a long line of sterling 
ancestors, the family having been residents in the state of Virginia for many 
years. His paternal great-grandfather came from the old Dominion state to 
Indiana, establishing a splendid homestead easl of Patoka, Gibson county. 
Here the subject's grandfather, Felix Milburn. was born and reared and later 
married Margaret Brazelton, also a native of Gibson county, \mong their 
children was Edgar Milburn, who, on attaining mature years, engaged in mer- 



74 2 GIBSON COUNTY, INDIANA. 

cantile business at Hazleton, which he conducted successfully for several 
years, and also was connected with Bingham's distillery in Patoka. His 
death occurred on April 24, 1875, when the subject of this sketch was but 
two years old, and he was survived many years by his widow, whose death 
occurred on December 13, 1909. They were the parents of six children, 
namely: Electa, who became the wife of Alonzo Hinkle, who is now de- 
ceased; Clarence, a druggist of Patoka; Blanche, the wife of Robert A. 
Dixon, of West Summerville, Massachusetts; Felix O., a druggist of Patoka; 
Edgar E., one of the proprietors of the Sun of Springfield, Ohio, and Her- 
bert A., the immediate subject of this sketch. The mother of these children, 
who was left a widow when all of the children were young in years, courag- 
eously took up the burden thus thrown upon her shoulders, and by teaching 
school managed to support her family and give all her children good practical 
education. She was a good woman in the best sense of the term, conse- 
crated to her children, and of her the subject of this sketch savs that all he is 
and hopes to be is due entirely to his mother's help and influence. She was a 
refined, cultured woman of noble aims and ideals, and instilled in her children 
those principles calculated to develop in them upright manhood and woman- 
hood. Her father, Preston Sellers, was for many years a well-known lawyer 
of Georgetown and Ripley, Ohio. 

Herbert A. Milburn received his education in the Patoka public schools 
and was a student in Indiana State Normal School at Terre Haute, and of 
the Danville Central Normal College. He then followed teaching as a voca- 
tion for fifteen years, six years of which time he was assistant principal of the 
Patoka schools, and three years in the Francisco school-, being principal 
during one year of the time, lie was elected principal for another year, but 
resigned in order to enter the drug business at Patoka. with which he was 
connected for two years. He then engaged in the general merchandise busi- 
ness at Patoka, which commanded his attention for five years, at the end of 
which time, in October, [912, he sold his interest. In 1007 Mr. Milburn was 
appointed postmaster of Patoka. and is still the efficient incumbent of that 
office, discharging his official duties to the entire satisfaction of both his de- 
partmental superiors and the patrons of the office. Though starting in the 
world practically unaided. Mr. Milburn has, by the exercise of good judg- 
ment and wise economy, been enabled to accumulate a fair amount of this 
world's goods, including some valuable real estate, his residence property, the 
store building in which he formerly conducted business, several vacant lots, a 
livery stable in Patoka. and some valuable property in Princeton. He is 



GIBSON l OUN I , , [NDIANA. 7 (.3 

numbered among the solid and substantial men of his community, and has 
borne his full part of the burden of carrying on the civic affairs of Patoka, 
giving his support at all times to such movements as promised to lie of benefit 
to the community. He is a symmetrical!) developed man, discharging the 
duties of citizenship with an eye to the greatesl good, and his popularity is 
only bounded by the lines within which he is known. Faithful to every trust 
reposed in him, the future may have for him other positions than that he now 
si 1 capably holds. 

On December 31, 1902, Herbert A. Milburn married Julia McConnell, 
the daughter of Alexander McConnell, of near Francisco. 

Politically, Mr. Milburn is an ardent supporter of the Republican party. 
in the ranks of which organization he has been an active worker for many 
years. Fraternally, he is a member of the Free and Accepted Masons, the 
Order of the Eastern Star and the Modern Woodmen of America, while his 
religious connections are with the Presbyterian church, in the prosperit) of 
which lie is actively interested. 



WILLIAM I'. CASEY. 



To present in detail the leading- facts in the life of one of Patoka's busy 
men of affairs and throw light upon some of his more prominent character- 
istic-, is the task in hand in order to place before the reader the following 
brief biography of William P. Casey. Though still in the prime of vigorous 
manhood, he has already won a distinguished place in the business world, 
besides impressing his strong personality upon the community where for a 
number of years he has been a forceful factor in directing thought and mold- 
ing opinion. 

William P. Casey was born in Patoka, < libson county, Indiana, on Febru- 
ary 5. r86i, and has spenl practically his entire life in this immedi; lity. 
Ili-. parent- wen- William L and Charlotte M (Park) Casey, the formei 
native of Po <• county. Indiana, and the latter born in New York state. 
William J. Case) became a merchant in Patoka, where for many year- he 
successfull) conducted business affair- and .also served very efficiently as 
auditi 'i' of Lib -on county, being one of the few 1 )emocrats who has served in 
that office up to the time of hi- term, which was about [871 ' ivas re- 
elected for a second term, but died before entering upon the term, lb- came 
to Gibson county in young manhood, locating in Patoka, and resided there 



744 GIBSON COUNTY, INDIANA. 

continuously up to the time of his death, which occurred in February, 1878 
or 1879. His widow is still living and resides in Princeton. They were the 
parents of four children, namely: Howard B., who died at the age of four 
years; Emma, who died at the age of twelve years; William P., the subject 
of this sketch : and Luella, the wife of L. C. Embree. an attorney at Princeton. 

William P. Casey attended the public schools of Patoka, and was later, 
during 1878-1879, a student in old Asbury College, now DePauw Uni- 
versity, at Greencastle. After entering life's battle on his own ac- 
count, he was employed in various ways until, by rigid economy and per- 
severing industry, he got a start and finally became a clerk for T. H. Jerauld, 
in whose store he was employed for two years. Having ambition higher 
than that of a clerical capacity. Mr. Casey began reading law in the office of 
L. C. Embree. of Princeton, but a year later he was compelled to give up his 
studies. During the following year he was employed in a shoe store in In- 
dianapolis, but returned to Patoka and formed a partnership with Frank 
Parrett in 1883. buying the stock of Mr. Jerauld, who had died, and he has 
been engaged in business consecutively since, and has met with eminent suc- 
cess in the enterprise. About two years after starting he bought his partner's 
interest, and has since conducted the business on his own account. Sagacious 
and far-seeing in his business affairs. Mr. Casey has been enabled to build up 
a large and profitable trade throughout tins community and is numbered 
among the solid men of his locality. 

On September 3. 1889, William P. Casey was married to Mary S. Bing- 
ham, the daughter of G. B. and Minerva Bingham, of Patoka, and to this 
union there have been born three children, namely : William Bingham Casey, 
of Patoka, a commercial traveler : Lucile Marie and Helen Agnes. 

Fraternally, Mr. Casey is actively identified with the Knights of Pythias. 
the Modern Woodmen of America and the Tribe of Ben-Hur, in the work of 
which he takes a deep interest. Politically, be has been an active exponent of 
Democratic principles, and in the ranks of his party be has given efficient 
service. In 1898 he was nominated for the position of county auditor, and 
together with the rest of his ticket went down to defeat. Standing distinct- 
ively forward as one of the representative men and progressive citizens of 
Patoka, Mr. Casey owes his pronounced success in life almost wholly to his 
own efforts, and is freely entitled to the appellation "A self-made man." His 
life's story contains little outside of the ordinary, and bis every act has been 
open to the scrutiny and criticism of his fellowmen. but few, if any, of whom 
have found anything to condemn. 



>i BSON ccuN rv. ixm \x.\. 74^ 

A. D. VIcCLURE. 

The career of the well-remembered gentleman whose name forms the 
caption of this paragraph, was a strenuous and varied one, entitling him to 
honorable mention among the citizens of his day and generation in the county 
in which his life was so closely identified. Although his life has been brought 
to a close by the inevitable fate that awaits all mankind, his influence still 
pervades the lives of a wide circle of friends and acquaintances who revere 
his memory. As a business man or private citizen, he was always true to 
himself and his fellowmen and the tongue of calumny never touched him. 
As a soldier he proved his loyalty to the governmenl he loved so well and 
the long and tiresome marches in all times and situations, on the tinted field, 
and in the line of battle, where the rattle of the musketry, mingled 
with the terrible concussion of the bursting shell and the deep diapason of 
the cannon's roar made up the sublime but awful chorus of death. To such as 
he the country is under a debt of gratitude which it cannot repay and future 
generations will commemorate their chivalry in story and in song. 

A. D. McClure was born on December 22. 1837, near Princeton, Gibson 
county, Indiana, and was the son of Joseph P. and Catharine X. 1 I »evin 1 
McClure, the father of Scotch descent and the mother a native of the -tale of 
Indiana. A. 1). McClure passed the major portion <>!" his life in his native 
state and most of it in Gibson county, the exceptions being three years' resi- 
dence in Kentucky and a short time in Vincennes lie received a good, prac- 
tical school education in the public schools of that locality, and as soon as he 
was old enough, look upon himself the battle of hie. in the course of which 
his effort- were rewarded b) a well-merited competency. At the outbreak of 
the Southern insurrection, Mr. McClure gave practical evidence oi hi- pat- 
riotism by enlisting a- a private in Compan) II, Seventeenth Regiment In- 
diana Volunteer Infantry, which was a pari of the famous Wilder'- brigade, 
and winch served throughout the war, taking pari in man}' of the most im- 
portant engagements and campaigns of thai conflict. During a part of his 
war service, Mr. Met lure served a- a special scout for General Wilder. Upon 
return to peaceful pursuit-, Mr. McClure engaged in various enterprises, and 
for about twenty-four years he operated the old mill at Patoka which had 
been established many years before, and which was one of the besl known 
and nio-t popular mills in this section of the state, Mr McClure gave close 
attention to every detail of hi- business, and owing to hi- accommodating 
di-position and his attention to the wants of his patrons, he enjoyed a large 



746 GIBSON COUNTY, INDIANA. 

and profitable patronage for man)- years. His death occurred on March 6, 
1907. His chief characteristics seemed to be keenness of perception, a tire- 
less energy, honesty of purpose and every-day common sense. He was suc- 
-ful in business, respected in social life, and as a neighbor discharged his 
duties in a manner becoming a liberal-minded, intelligent citizen of the state 
where the essential qualities of his manhood were duly recognized and prized 
at their. true value. To write a detailed and full account of his long and use- 
ful life would require a much more elaborate article than the nature of this 
work permits or requires. Sufficient to say, however, that in his record there 
was much that was commendable and his character forcibly illustrated what a 
life of energy can accomplish when plans are wisely laid and actions are 
governed by right principles, noble aims and high ideals. His death removed 
from Gibson county one of her most substantial and highly esteemed citizens 
and the many beautiful tributes to his high standing in the world of affairs 
and as a man and citizen attested to the abiding place he had in the heart and 
affections of a host of friends. 

Mr. McClure was twice married, first, on October 19, 1865, to Sarah X. 
Green, the daughter of Hiram Green, and to this union were born two daugh- 
ters, Katherine Louise (deceased), and Mary Ellen, who is still living. Mrs. 
Sarah McClure died on August 28, 1871. and on November 18, 1877, Mr. 
McClure married Maria C. Weber, who was born in Salzwedel, Germany, 
the daughter of Henry and Sophia Weber. She came to America when 
about eighteen years of age. Henry Weber was also a member of the Seven- 
teenth Regiment Indiana Volunteer Infantry, which formed part of Wilder's 
brigade, and rose to the rank of sergeant. His death occurred in Gibson 
count}- on April 5, 1898. at the age of seventy-two years. To this second 
union were born five children, namely: Nora Charlotte (deceased); Clara 
S., the wife of Julian Palmer, of Patoka; Ella D. (deceased) ; and Allie H., 
a twin of Ella, who is now the widow of Clarence J. Barker, of Fort Branch, 
Gibson county; Ada Ann is the wife of Byron Bingham, of Patoka. ( lar r 
ence J. Barker, who was depot agent at Fort Branch, died on August 1 S, 
10 [3, being stricken with uremic poisoning in the railroad station at Kansas 
City, while en route home from New Mexico after a residence of three vears 
in the latter state. He and his wife bad two children, John Alexander and 
Alma Fay. 

Air. McClure was an enthusiastic Mason, having attained to the degree 
of the York rite, including the order of Knights Templar, being a member of 
the commanderv at Yincennes; Mr. Barker was a member of the order at Sul- 



GIBSON C01 \ I 5 \.\. 747 

livan. Indiana. Religiously, Air. McClure was a member of th< church, 

and having a high conception of his privileges and responsibilities as a ( Christ- 
ian, he supported this church to the extent of his means. A man of congenial 

and kindly impulses, he made friends of all with whom lie came in contact, and 
was widely known throughout Gibson county as one of her representative 
citizens. Mrs. McClure was a member of the same church at Evansville, 

and her parents were also members of this church. 



WILLIAM ARMSTRONG vWATERS. 

Indiana will soon round oul one hundred years of its history. It is the 
record of the steady growth of a community planted in the wilderness in the 
last century and reaching its magnitude of today without other aid than that 
of continued industry. Each county has had its share in the story and every 
county can lay claim to some incident or transaction which goes to make the 
history of the commonwealth. After all. the history of a state is but a record 
of the doings of its people, among whom the pioneers and their sturdy de- 
scendants occupy places of no secondary importance. The story of the plain 
common people who constitute the moral hone and sinew of the state will 
always attract the attention and prove of interest to all true lovers of their 
kind. The first settlers of this state were in the southern part and the hard- 
ships and disadvantages which surrounded them at every turn have long since 
disappeared with the march of civilization. The subject of this sketch, now 
deceased several years, is one of the finest example- of the sturdy pion 
and frontiersman who came to tin- state in the yeat - when Indian- were ram- 
pant in our forests; when ever) swamp was full of malaria: when transpor- 
tation had to be carried on by water, or else by the trails which led through 
the woods. William Armstrong Water- nol only fought the fighl of the 
farmer in subduing the Indians and the forest, hut also served his country in 
that long struggle which was necessary to preserve our union in the six! 

William Armstrong Waters, the sun of James R. and Nancy (Arm- 
ing) Water-, wa- horn in 1813, wesl of Owensville, in Gibson county. In 
diana. I lis parents came from North Carolina to Christian county, Ken- 
tucky, ami from thence they moved, in [807, to what was then Knox county. 
1 10 liana. At that time Gibson county was not organized, and the land which 
they entered upon their arrival was later a part of that county when it 
organized, March <». [813. James R. Waters, the father of the subject, wa- a 



748 GIBSON COUNTY, INDIANA. 

son of Thomas Waters, a native of Virginia, who went to North Carolina, 
where James R. was born. Thomas Waters later moved to Kentucky and in 
1807 he and James R., then a young man, came to Gibson county, Indiana. 
Thomas AYaters entered land from the government in section 4, township 
3 south, range 12 west. He was not able to get his patent from the 
government until November 10, 1811. Starting here in the primeval forest 
several years before Indiana became a state, he fought the forests by day, the 
Indians by night and the malaria all the time. His closest market was Vin- 
cennes and this could be reached only by an old Indian trail. On this farm, 
entered in 1807, Thomas R. Waters lived and died at a ripe old age, having 
succeeded by his native honesty and sound business judgment to the acquisi- 
tion of a comfortable competence. James R. Waters entered land in section 
34, township 2 south, range 12 west. His brother, William, entered the other 
part of the same quarter section, but later James bought his part of this land. 
James R, father of the subject of tins sketch, married Nancy Armstrong, a 
native of North Carolina. In 1809 she came with her parents, John and 
Polly ( Swavne 1 Armstrong, from North Carolina to Kentucky, and later to 
Vanderburg county, Indiana. James R. Waters lived and died on the land 
which he entered. 

William A. Waters, whose history is here presented, was born on his 
father's farm and there grew up to manhood. Early in life he was married to 
Eliza Jones', daughter of Charles and Eleanor (Warrick ) Jones. Her mother 
was a daughter of Capt. Jacob Warrick, one of the heroes of the battle of 
Tippecanoe, and after whom Warrick county was named. Her father, 
Charles Jones, come from North Carolina to Christian county, Kentucky, and 
from thence, by way of Henderson, Kentucky, then called Red Banks, to 
Gibson county, Indiana, in company with James R. Waters, who had gone 
back to Christian county, Kentucky, to collect money due him. William A. 
Waters bought a farm in 1825. where his children still live. It is a quarter 
of section 3, township 3, range 12 west, located west of Owensville, and here 
he lived all his life with the exception of the time when he was serving in the 
Civil war. 

William A. Waters and bis son. James, both enlisted in Company E. 
Forty-second Regiment Indiana Volunteer Infantry, and followed the cam- 
paign from Chattanooga in the summer of 1863 through t<> Atlanta and then 
followed Sherman on his famous march to the sea. From thence they went 
tip through the Carolinas to Virginia and were in the Grand Review at Wash- 
ington in the summer of 18(15. William A. Waters was mustered out as a 
lieutenant after serving seven months, resigning on account of ill health. 



G] BSl IN C0UN lY, INDIANA. 



749 



The brother continued on through to the close of the war. I luring his two 
years' service in the army James R. was constantl) at the front and fought 
in all the battles from Chattanooga down through Georgia and up through 
the Carolinas until the surrender of Johnson in North Carolina in April. 
1865. Although the son saw so much of hard military servici as never 

wounded and came out of the conflict in good health. 

William A. Waters returned to the farm at the close of his service, and 
by successful business management he succeeded in acquiring a very com- 
fortable competence. He continued active operations on the farm until his 
death, which occurred on August 6, r886, his widow surviving him many 
years, her death occurring on February- 3, 1901, at the advanced age 
eighty-one. Their union was blessed with eleven children, eight of whom 
grew to maturity and five of whom are still living together on the old home 
farm, Charles C. James B., John F., Ellen and Martha. Charles C. Waters 
enlisted to fight in the Civil war, but when he went to be mustered into the 
service, it was found that his company was full, so be was sent back home. 
All of these five children own farms of their own, their total acreage aggre 
gating nearly nine hundred acres, all of which i'; located in Montgomery 
township. None of them have ever married, preferring to keep unchanged 
the tie of home and family which bound them together as children on the old 
homestead. Here they live an unostentatious, hospitable life, doing all the 
good that they can for the community in which they live. No family is held 
in higher esteem in (his county than the Waters family and no movement 
which has for its end the betterment of the community is ever launched 
which does not find in them ready and sympathetic helpers. They have al- 
ways displayed that consistent Christian spirit, that genuine worth thai ha: 
endeared them to all classes, and their lives have been an inspiration to 
others. 



WARRICK D. JOHNSON. 

It is the progressive, wide-awake man of affairs who make- the real 
history of a community and hi- influence a- a potential of the body 

politic is difficult to estimate. The example- such men furnish of painstaking 
effort and steadfast integrity strongly illustrate what is in the power of each 
i- accomplish, and there i- always .1 full measure of ion in adverting 

even in a casual way to their achievements in advancing the interests of their 
fellowmcn and in giving strength and solidity to the institutions which 



75° GIBSON COUNTY. INDIANA. 

make so much for the prosperity of the community. In placing the history 
the influential citizen of Gibson county, Indiana, whose name forms the 
caption of this review, it is plainly seen that the respect and esteem which he 
enjoys has been won by bis commendable qualities, and it is also his personal 
worth that has won for him the highest regard of all who know him. 

Warrick D. Johnson, son of Levi and Louisa (Smith) Johnson, was 
born on February I, 1865, one and one-half miles east of Johnson Station. 
Levi Johnson was born about half way between Posey ville and Cynthiana, in 
1824, the son of George and Anna ( Williams) Johnson. George Johnson 
came to Indiana with his parents, Arthur and Lucy ( Harmon ) Johnson, from 
North Carolina in the early history of the state, (ieorge Johnson was mar- 
ried in this county, and after his marriage he lived in Cynthiana until after 
his first wife died, when he married Mary Mason, and continued to reside 
ar Cynthiana until his death. Levi Johnson lived under the parental roof 
until he was old enough to work out, and then he worked at farm labor for 
several years in the Maumee bottoms west of Johnson Station. On October 
21, 1848, he was married to Louisa Smith, who was born about two miles 
west of Owensville, June 12. 1N2Q, and is a daughter of Dr. John Willis and 
Vlartha 1 Warrick) Smith. Her father was born at Danville, Kentucky, 
about r8oo. He studied medicine at Louisville and came to Gibson county, 
Indiana, in the early days of the state, buying land west of Owensville and 
becoming quite an extensive land owner in this county. He was among the 
first physicians in this part of the country, and his practice extended from 
Princeti m to New Harmony and Evansville. He was married to Martha 
Crockett Warrick, who was born June 3, 1809, about two and one-half miles 
southwest of Owensville. She was a daughter of Captain Jacob Warrick, a 
hero of Tippecanoe. Doctor Smith was said to be two generations in ad- 
vance of bis time, and was one of the foremost physicians of that section of 
the state. He was educated at Danville, Kentucky, well versed not only in 
medicine, but in the literature of his day, and was a verv interesting con- 
versationalist. It was said that upon his death the whole township was in 
tears His death occurred August 17, 1835, and some years after his death 
his widow married Jacob Paden. 

After Levi Johnson married he built a log cabin in the woods two miles 
west of Owensville on land where his widow still lives, and there he spent the 
remainder of his days. He taught school for several years before bis mar- 
riage, and served as trustee of the township when a young man and was 
elected again in later vears. 



GIBSON COUNTY, [NDIANA. J^\ 

\s a farmer he was \er\ successful and gradually added to his land 
holdings until he was one of the largesl land owners in the township. To 
Mr. and Mrs. Levi Johnson were born six children: John Will ed; 

George Washington, who lives wesl of Owensville; Martha, who is living 
with her mother; Emma, the widow of John Doss Thompson, lives in 
Owensville: David Warrick lives two miles west of Owensville; Laura Ella 
died in childhood. Levi Johnson was an active Republican all his life and 
took a prominent part in the councils of his part; is also a very active 

member of the General Baptist church, and for years was a deacon in that 

mination. His death occurred on November 26, 1004. 

Warrick Dr. son of Levi Johnson, was reared on the homestead farm. 
following tlie ordinary life of the average country boy, going I ■ .1 in the 

winter seasons and working on his father'- farm in the summers. After 
finishing the schools of his county, be became a student at the State Normal 
at Terre Haute for four terms, at the expiration of which time he engaged in 
ching, followed this occupation for five years in Montgomery township, 
and was teaching at the time of his marriage. 

In 1887 Mr. Johnson was married to Phena Boren, the daughtei 
Samuel and Serelda t Marvel) Boren. She was born about four mile- south 
of their present home and lived there until her marriage. Her family gene- 
alogy is set forth in sketch of T. J. Boren. elsewhere in this work. Mr. and 
Mrs. Johnson are the parents of five children: ATata. the wife of Harvey 
Witherspoon, live- south of Owensville, in Union township: Warren Boren 
married Violet A'. Benson, the daughter of Columbus and Laura (Thompson) 
Benson, on February 3, 1914. and is on the farm with his father: he run- a 
grain elevator at Johnson Station; Warner Lee and George Washington, 
Jr., arc in the high school at Owensville; Ella Marie is in tin- common school 
at Owensville. 

\fter bis marriage Mr. Johnson engaged in the operation of the farm 
where be is now living, and gradually built up his farming interests by buying 
more land until he is now the owner of over three hundred acre- of a- fine 
land as there i^ in the county. Tn [913 be bnilr a handsome residence, 
equipped with all the modern improvements and one of the most beautiful 
country homes in the township. He owns the land on which Johnson Station 
is built, a town which was platted and opened for the sale of lot- in [911. 
He and bis son, Warren, are engaged in grain buying and selling busim 
shipping their grain from Johnson ^t.uion. He has been ven successful in 
his business affairs, owing to the fact that he has exercised sturdy persistence, 



752 GIBSON COUNTY, INDIANA. 

stern integrity and excellent judgment, qualities which have won for him the 
confidence and esteem of the puhlic to a marked degree. 

He is a member of the Free and Accepted Masons and also of the Mod- 
ern Woodmen of America. Politically, he has affiliated with the Republican 
party, and has been an active worker in its behalf. He has never been a 
seeker after political honor, but has been content to devote his time and 
energy to his increasing business affairs. A study of his career shows what 
patient purpose and steadfast integrity will accomplish, and there is a full 
measure of satisfaction in recording the life history of such valuable citizens. 
They give strength and solidity to all the institutions and movements which 
have for their object the welfare of the community. He possesses in a marked 
degree those sterling traits of character which have commanded uniform 
confidence and regard, and for this reason he is today honored by all who 
know him and is numbered among the representative men of his county. 



GEORGE C. MASON, M. D. 

The man who devotes his talents and energies to the noble work of min- 
istering to the ills and alleviating the sufferings of humanity is pursuing a 
calling which in dignity, importance and beneficial results is second to no 
other. If true to his profession and earnest in his efforts to enlarge his sphere 
of usefulness, he is indeed a benefactor of his kind, for to him more than to 
any other man are entrusted the safety, the comfort and, in man)- instances, 
the lives of those who place themselves under his care and profit by his services. 
It is gratifying to note in the series of personal sketches appearing in this 
work that there remain identified with the professional, public and civic 
affairs of Gibson county many who are native sons of the county and who 
arc ably maintaining the prestige of honored names. Of this number, Dr. 
George C. Mason, who is prominent among the physicians and surgeons and 
who is practicing his profession at Oakland City, is one of the representative 
men of the county. He stands in the front rank of Gibson county's profes- 
sional men, having been engaged in his calling here for many years, during 
which time he has not only gained wide professional notoriety, but also estab- 
lished a sound reputation for uprightness of character in all the relations of 

life. 

George C. Mason was born in Barton township, Gibson county, Indiana, 



GIBSON COUN 1Y. INDIANA. 



753 



on January 24, [84.8, and is descended from one of the sterling old pioneer 
families of Gibson county. His grandfather, Rezin Mason, who founded the 
family in Virginia, was of Scotch birth, and a relative of the distinguished 
divine. Dr. John Mason. His son, Rezin Mason, Jr., father of the subj eel oi 
this sketch, was born near Winchester, Virginia, in [818, and came to Indiana 
with his mother and three sisters in [836, and located in Gibson county. lie 
married Elizabeth lane Martin, the daughter of John and jane 1 Steele) 
Martin, and to this union were born ten children, of whom George C., the sub- 
ject of this sketch, was the first horn. The latter was reared on his father's 
farm in Barton township, securing his education in the neighboring schools, 
and, being of a studious disposition, at the age of fifteen years he had ac- 
quired a good knowledge of the fundamental branches. However, his father's 
death at this time threw upon him the care of the family, which responsi- 
bility he accepted with hemic courage, devoting himself to the support of his 
mother and brothers and sisters until some oi the latter were old enough to 
relieve him of a part oi the burden. During this period he did not cease his 
efforts to gain a further education and. although confronted with many ob- 
stacles that would have discouraged one of less heroic mold, he continued his 
efforts in this direction and through his persistent efforts he became a well- 
educated and symmetrically developed man. Fortunately for this farmer boy 
there was in the neighborhood a Presbyterian clergyman, Rev. Roberl Gray, 
a graduate of Oberlin College, Ohio, and a man of superior college attain- 
ments, to whom young Mason went for directions in his advanced studies and 
to whom he recited. In this way he equipped himself for teaching in the 
common schools of his county and also prepared himself for college, entering 
the classical course in the State University, where he spent two years. Dur- 
ing the following eight years he engaged in teaching in the public schools, 
and during a portion of this time he was associated with Prof. Lee Tomlin, 
in the Oakland City Normal School. He also served effii iently as superinten- 
dent of the public schools of Fort Branch and Hazleton. However, the peda- 
gogical profession did not satisfy thi man's ambition, and in January, 
1870, George Mason determined to engage in the medical prof is a life 
work, and to this end began his technical Indies in Miami Medical 1 ege of 
Cincinnati, and later in the Medical < bllege of Indiana at fndi 
he was graduated in [879. Subsequently he supplemented tin- onal 
work h\ studies in Eastern colleges and. thus thoroughly prepared for his life 
work. Doctor Mason came to Oakland I it; and entered upon the active prac- 
(48) 



754 GIBSON COUNTY, INDIANA. 

tice of his profession, his efforts being rewarded by a large clientele. In his 
chosen field of endeavor, Doctor Mason has achieved success such as few 
attain, and his eminent standing among the leading medical men of southwest- 
ern Indiana has been duly recognized and appreciated not only in Oakland 
City, which has long been honored by his residence, but also throughout this 
section of the state. In addition to his long and creditable career in one of the 
most useful and exacting of professions, he has also proved an honorable 
member of the body politic, rising in the confidence and esteem of the public, 
and in every relation of life never falling below the dignity of true manhood, 
nor in any way resorting to methods that have invited criticism. As a citizen, 
he has ranked with the most influential of his compeers in affairs looking 
toward the betterment of his chosen city and county. His character has ever 
been above suspicion, and those who have been favored with an intimate ac- 
quaintance with him are profuse in their praise of his many virtues and up- 
right character, that of a true gentleman. 

Doctor Mason has long been a close student of political history, being an 
extensive reader, and he takes a profound interest in educational affairs, in- 
cluding in his linguistic attainments Latin, Greek and German, all of which 
he reads with equal facility. Doctor Mason is a Republican in his political 
views, and in 1880 was elected a representative to the Legislature by a ma- 
jority of two hundred and twelve votes, being the first Republican elected in 
Gibson count}- in sixteen years. During the ensuing session of the Legisla- 
ture, the Doctor had the satisfaction of voting for Benjamin Harrison for 
United States senator, and earnestly advocated measures which resulted in the 
improvement of public roads. Doctor Mason served fourteen years consecu- 
tively as president of the Oakland City school board, in which he rendered 
valuable service in the advancement of local educational affairs. On July 15. 
1897, Doctor Mason became superintendent of the Southern Indiana Hospital 
for the insane, serving efficiently in this position for three years. He is a 
member of the (iihson County Medical Society and the State Medical Society, 
taking a deep interest in the proceedings of these bodies. His religious affilia- 
tion is with the Presbyterian church, in which he is an elder. He has been 
very successful in material affairs, owning a splendid apple orchard of fifty 
acres near Somerville, this county, in the handling of which he has been very 
successful. 

On July 17, 1873, at Princeton, Doctor Mason was married to Elizabeth 
L. Henderson, who was born in Guernsey county. Ohio, the daughter of 
Thomas W. and Jane (Gray) Henderson, and to this union have been born 



GIBSi )\ COUNTY, INDIANA. 755 

four children two of win mi arc living, namely: Gertrude S.. who is the 
wife of Robert W. Hunter, who is engaged in the lumber business at Provi- 
dence, Kentucky; Grace I.., born July 17. 1881, am! died January 23, 1887; 
George C. born September 15, 1884, and died April |. [885; Ku-sell L. is a 
graduate of Wabash College, and lives in Oakland City, being a clerk in the 
Why clothing store. 



G. B. BINGHAM. 



Among the earnest men whose enterprise and depth of character have 
gained for them a prominent place in the community and the respect and 
confidence of their fellow citizens is the honored subject of this sketch. A 
leading farmer and grain man of the locality in which he resides and a man 
of decided views and laudable ambitions, his influence has ever been exerted 
for the advancement of his kind, and in the vocations to which his energies 
are devoted he ranks among the representative men of the county. 

G. B. Bingham was born in Patoka, Gibson count), Indiana, mi April 6, 
1866, and is a son of Gordon Byron and Minerva (Stockwell ) Bingham, the 
father a native of Baltimore, Maryland, and the mother of Princeton, this 
county. Gordon B. Bingham came to Gibson county in young manhood, 
locating in Princeton. His father, Gordon f',. Bingham, had been a well-to-do 
merchant in Baltimore, Maryland, and his son, the subject's father, acquired 
large interests of different kinds, including store, flour mill, packing house, 
distiller)-, etc. i le was success I til in the management of these enterprises, and 
was numbered among the substantial and influential business men of the com- 
munity. During the Civil war. the responsibility 01 looking after the affairs 
at home fell upon his shoulders, and he managed the business interests of the 
family in such a way as to earn the commendation of his father. Two of 
his brothers were in active service in the war. ( aptain Sylvester, in the North- 
ern arm)', and John, in the Southern army. Ili- death occurred 111 [876. lie 
was survived many years by his widow, who died on April [3, 1907. To 
them were horn eight children, of whom four are living, namely: W. B. 
Bingham, G. B. Bingham, Mrs. \\ . P. Casey, ol Patoka, and Mrs. S. G. Ingle, 
of San Diego, California. The subject's maternal grandmother bore the 
family name of Prince, and after her family the city of Princeton, Gibson 
county, was named. 

G. B. Bingham received his education in the public schools of Patoka, 



756 GIBSON COUNTY, INDIANA. 

and then engaged in the grain business and farming in partnership with his 
brother, the subject looking after the grain business. He has been eminently 
successful in this enterprise, and for many years has been numbered among 
the progressive and enterprising business men of Patoka. He retains his 
farming interests, which he has found to be a profitable investment, and gives 
his personal attention to every detail of his business affairs, being wide awake 
and following up-to-date methods in the conduct of his business. 

In February, 1907, Mr. Bingham married Ada McClure, the daughter of 
the late A. I ). McClure, of Patoka. and to them has been born one child, Mary 
Agnes. Politically, Mr. Bingham has been a life-long Republican, and has 
served as a member of the Patoka town council. He takes an intelligent in- 
terest in all affairs looking to the welfare of the community, giving his sup- 
port to those measures which tend to elevate and improve local conditions. 
His chief characteristics are keenness of perception, tireiess energy, honesty 
of purpose and motive and every-day common sense, which have enabled him 
not only to advance his own interest, but also largely to contribute to the 
moral and material advancement of the community. 



GEORGE M. WATT. 



It is the progressive, wide-awake man of affairs who makes the real 
history of a community and his influence as a potential factor of the body 
politic is difficult to estimate. The examples such men furnish of patient 
purpose and steadfast integrity strongly illustrate what is in the power of 
each to accomplish, and there is always a full measure of satisfaction in 
adverting even in a casual way to their achievements in advancing the inter- 
ests of their fellowmen and in giving strength and solidity to the institutions 
which make so much for the prosperity of a community. Such a man is the 
worthv subject of this sketch, and as such it is proper that a review of his 
career lie accorded a place among the representative citizens of the city and 
county in which he resides. 

George M. Watt, proprietor of one of the largest mercantile houses of 
1 takland < ity, and one of the sterling citizens of this community, was born 
on June 22, 1859, near Xenia, Greene county, Ohio. His parents were Hugh 
and Margaret (Murray) Watt, the father a native of Erie county. Penn- 
sylvania, the latter of Glasgow, Scotland. Hugh Watt followed farming and 



GIBSON COUN rY, IMH \.\ A. J^J 

brick making-, being successful in these dual occupations, and in 1864 came 
to Gibson county, Indiana, where he located on a farm south of Oakland 
City, on which he lived until his death, which occurred in the Fall of [880, 
at the age of seventy-four years. A man oi sterling qualities of character, he 
enjoyed to a marked degree the confident oi the community, and was a 
prominent and influential member of the United Presbyterian church. His 
widow survived him many years, dying in 1901, at the age of sixty-four 
years. She had come to America with her parents when bul eleven years oi 
age, Ideating in Greene county, Ohio. To I high and Margaret Watt \\ 
born seven children, namely: R. G., of Princeton, Indiana; Laura, deceased, 
who was the wife of Oliver Hammonds, of Petersburg, Indiana; Mattie, 
deceased; George; Stella, the wife of James Tomlin, superintendent of the 
Evansville public schools; Lydia, the wife of J. M. Black, a music teacher in 
Spokane, Washington: and W. R , of Washington, Indiana. 

George M. Walt attended the schools of Gibson county, being but four 
years of age when his parents removed to thai count} from Ohio. He re- 
mained with his parent-, assisting with the work of the farm until he was 
twenty-one years of age. when he and his brother bought a farm near Oak- 
land City, where he lived during the following sixteen years, giving his un- 
divided attention to its operation. He then entered into partnership in the 
undertaking business with Porter Lamb, which lasted for eight years, and in 
1910 he formed a partnership with I. NT. Jackson and engaged in the hard- 
ware and agricultural implement business, which -till demand- his attention 
Thej carr) a complete hue of shelf and heavy hardware, as well as a full line 
of agricultural implements and enjoy a full share of the public's patronage. 

Politically. Mr. Watt is a Republican, and has served two term- as a 
member of the citj council. During this period he was an earnest supporter 
of the movement and largely responsible for the securing of the water works 
in Oakland City, though this was accomplished in the face of hard opposi- 
tion. Religiously, he is a member of the Presbyterian church, to which he 
gives earnest support. He has been prosperous in his business affair-, and 
besides the mercantile interests in this city he is the owner of a good farm in 
( !i ilumbia township. 

On November 26, 1891, Mr Watt was married t" Flora J. Crawford, 
who wa- horn in Columbia township, < libson county, Indiana, the daughtei 
fohn B. and Amanda Crawford, and to this union have been horn two chil- 
dren. John M.. now thirteen years of age, who is now attending school, and 
Ethel, who died at the age of one year. Mr. Watt ha- performed well hi- 



758 GIBSON COUNTY, INDIANA. 

duty in all the relations of life, and while advancing his own interests, has 
not been unmindful of the general welfare of his fellow citizens. Thus he 
rightly deserves a place in the history of his locality. 



THOMAS J. BOREN. 



s 



That the plenitude of satiety is seldom attained in the affairs of life i 
to be considered a most beneficial deprivation, for where ambition is satisfied 
and every ultimate end realized, if such be possible, apathy must follow. 
Effort would cease, accomplishment be prostrate, and creative talent waste its 
energies in inactivity. The men who have pushed forward the wheels of 
progress have been those to whom satisfaction lies ever in the future, who 
have labored continuously, always finding in each transitional stage, an in- 
centive for further effort. Mr. Boren is one whose well directed efforts have 
gained for him a position of desirable prominence in the agricultural circles 
of Gibson county, and his energy and enterprise have been crowned by a 
gratifying degree of success. 

Thomas T. Boren is a native of Gibson county who has lived all his life 
within its bounds, and was born on August 23. 1840, near Antioch, in the 
southern part of Montgomery township, where he now resides. He is a son 
of Samuel and Zerelda (Marvel) Boren, Samuel Boren's birth-place being 
the same as flint of his son. He was born in 1825, the son of John Doss 
and Jemima Boren, who were among the very earliest pioneers of the county, 
coming here when this whole county was almost virgin wilderness. They 
entered government land, which is now the old Boren homestead and on 
which the immediate subject of this sketch resides. There John Doss Boren 
and wife finished their days, and there their son Samuel grew to manhood, 
married Zerelda Marvel and there made his home on the same tract. Zerelda 
Marvel was also a native of Gibson county, born in what is now the west end 
of Union township, the daughter of Painter and Lydia Marvel. Samuel 
Boren and wife were the parents of seven children, two of whom died in 
infancy and another son, John Doss, died at the age of twenty-one years. 
The remaining four are still living, namely: Thomas J., the subject of this 
sketch: Mrs. Phena Tohnson, of Gibson county; Mrs. Manesa 'Wasson, of 
Cynthiana and Mrs. Lydia Redman of the same place. Mrs. Samuel Boren 
was a devoted member of the Cumberland Presbyterian church and reared 



GIBSON uil \ n I Mil ANA. 

her family in strict accordance with the tenets of thai faith. The I'm inn 
family has been prominent in the history of the county from earliest days. 
John Doss Boren was a man of wealth and influence and at one time the 
heaviest tax-payer in Montgomery township. 

Thomas J. Boren grew to manhood on the same land obtained by his 
grandfather from the government and when about twenty years old he made 
his first business venture by purchasing a tract of abouf fifteen acres located 
near his home and having on it a neat little house and barn. He remained 
at home until in [872, and at the age of twenty-three was united in marriage 
tn Eliza Welborn, a sister of Judge O. M. Welborn, of Princeton. She was 
born in the vicinity of her present home. For two or more years after their 
marriage, Thomas J. Boren and wife lived on the place he had first purchased 
and in 1875 they moved to the old Welborn homestead, where they have since 
resided. It is a must beautiful country home with a large, park-like yard, 
dotted with great forest trees and beautiful shrubs, and a most hospitable 
home to enter. 

Mr. Boren has always employed the most modern methods in his agri- 
cultural work ami is thoroughly up-to-date in all he dues. In addition to 
his general farming, he gives particular attention to registered Hereford 
ck and Poland China hogs. At one time he had quite a large herd of 
cattle, but now keeps only a few of the very best. For one year, [898, Mr. 
BoVen was on the road selling Deering farm implements. He was count) 
superintendent of rock roads for four years, 1907 to icj] i. and has given his 
time to other public services from time to time. 

Mr. and Mrs. Boren have a family of three children. Ella May, who is 
the wife of Walter Bixby, lives in Evansville, Indiana, and has one - 
Walter Thomas. Frank, who lives in Owensville, is in the insurance busi- 
ness and is also deputy state oil inspector. His wife was Minnie Pruitt and 
the) have two small daughters, Uice and Martha. C. Fred i located 

at Owensville, and for years has been superintendent of M01 
ship schools; he also deals in live Muck. His wife was Belle Sumner-; and 
they have one son. Charles Frederick. Mr. Boren comes of a robusl and 
long-lived family. His mother's grandmother Marvel died at his fathet 
In .me during the Civil war at the age of one hundred and four years, and 
was able to read withoul glasses, her faculties being unimpaired, and she had 
sufficient strength to walk quite a distance. 

Mr. Boren's fraternal affiliation is with the Benevolent and Protective 
Order of Elks at Princeton and the Tribe of Ben I fur at Owensville. Re- 



760 GIBSON COUNTY, INDIANA. 

ligiously, both he and his wife are members of the General Baptist church 
and give earnest support to that society, both with time and means. Mr. 
Boren is one of those solid men of brains and substance, so essential to the 
material growth and prosperity of a community, and his influence has been 
willingly extended in behalf of every deserving enterprise that has for its 
object the advancement or welfare of his fellow-citizens. His estimable 
qualities of head and heart and the straight-forward, upright course of his 
daily life have won for him the esteem and confidence of the circles in which 
he has moved, and has given him a reputation for integrity and correct con- 
duct such as should be coveted by every man. 



BARTLETT BENNETT HOLLIS. 

It can not be other than gratifying t" note that within the pages of this 
compilation will be found mention of many prominent anil successful citizens 
oi the county who have here passed their entire lives and who stand repre- 
sentatives of the sturdy pioneer element which instituted the Herculean task 
of reclaiming this section of the state from the wilderness, carrying the 
work valiantly forward and leaving it to their sons and daughters to rear the 
superstructure upon the foundations thus firmly laid. Those who have been 
the builders and founders of Gibson county are the ones who chiefly find 
place in this work, and in this number mention should not be omitted of the 
personal career of the gentleman whose name appears at the head of this 
article. 

Bartlett Bennett Hollis was born April 7, 1843, tu "° an< f a n£ di miles 
-.null of Princeton, Gibson county, Indiana, the son of Othniel Hollis, of 
near Milton, Guilford county, North Carolina. Othniel Hollis was born in 
1808 and was a son of Jesse and Frances (Brown) Hollis, also natives of 
North Carolina, the mother being a sister of Brazel Brown, who kept the first 
hotel in Princeton. 

lesse Hollis and family came to Gibson count)' in 1825. in company 
with Hudson Brown, and lived the first year after their arrival in the Hoosier 
state on the Jonathan Young farm. They secured heavily timbered land 
two and one-half miles south of Princeton on the state road, and made their 
home here for the rest of their days. Jesse Hollis died in 1848 ami his wife 
in 185V They were the parents of the following children: Priscilla mar- 



, ^ ^ « 




t#-^"* r ^k 




p -**■-••*, dl 




& \ 7 


1 


^V^^J 




'^■YAYAYfl*^ 





BARTLETT B. HOLLIS. 



GIBSON COUNTY, INDIANA. jOl 

ried Samuel Hogue; Llla was twice married, firsl to a Mr. Estus and then to 
Hose} Holcomb; Alary is deceased; Othniel, the subject's father. 

Othniel Hollis enjoyed a very limited schooling and on his marriage 
went to Evansville, Indiana, and engaged in the hotel business for two years, 
al the end of which period, his father dying, he returned to the old home 
place and bought out the other heirs, continuing to reside there for about 
thirty years, when he sold the property and moved to Princeton, where he died 
I cbruary [4, 181)4, his wile having passed away in [876. He was a mem- 
ber of the Regular Baptist church, a Whig, ami later a Republican, and was 

well known and highly respected in his neighborh 1. lie married Micha 

Stewart, of Mason county, Kentucky, a daughter of John and Elizabeth 
(Trekel) Stewart, natives of Virginia. Micha Stewart - parents removed 
from the Old Dominion to Man land and later to Kentucky, in (820 coming 
to Gibson county, and settling southeast of Haubstadt, where thee secured 
land and made their home. They were the parent- of ten children, namely: 
Charles, Greenbury, Warner, Luther, Stephen, John. George, Kerrila, who 
married William Thornton. Rachael, who married James Knowles, and 
Micha, the subject's mother. 

Othniel and Micha Hollis were the parents of the following children: 
Frances married Robert J. Alexander and is now deceased; John is retired 
and living at Princeton; Sarah Ann died young: Ellen is the widow of Capt. 
J. R. Ashmead, of Terre Haute. Indiana; Bartletl B. ; ( 'ornella is living with 
the subject; Louisa died of typhoid fever in [862; an infant daughter. 

Bartlett Bennett Hollis, the subject of this review, secured a very limited 
education in the schools of his early days, he attending the I >rr school. ( In 
August 12, t86_>, Mr. Hollis enlisted in Company A, Eightieth Regiment 
Indiana Volunteer Infantry, at Princeton, and after being outfitted and drilled 
for a brief period at Indianapolis, the company was sent to Covington, Ken- 
tuekv, and assigned to the Twenty-third Army Corps. The first captain of 
this company was named Simmonson and the second to take that position 
was Charles Brownlee, while the regiment in the course of the war was com- 
manded by four different colonels. Denby, Brooks, Culbertson and Owen. 
After spending a short period in the hospital al Louisville on account of sick- 
ness, the subject joined his regiment at ('rah Orchard, and on May 14. [864, 
at the battle of Resaca, he was shot through the lefl shoulder, the bullet pass 
ing through his left lung and coming out under the -boulder blade lie wa- 
in the hospitals at Chattanooga. Nashville, Louisville and Evansville, and 



762 GIBSON COUNTY, INDIANA. 

was honorably discharged from his country's service February 14, 1865. 
Mrs. Mollis had three brothers in the Union army, namely: Irvin was in 
Company F, Thirty-second Indiana Volunteer Infantry; Francis M. was a 
member of Company F, Thirty-third Indiana Volunteer Infantry, and Wil- 
liam fought in the ranks of the One Hundred and Forty-ninth Indiana Volun- 
teer Infantry. 

On June 4, 1872, Mr. Hollis was united in the hoi) - bonds of matrimony 
with Sarah Jane Polk, of Patoka township. Gibson county, the daughter of 
Clayborn and Rachael 1 Shoptaugh) Polk, who came from Hardin county, 
Kentucky, to this county in 1844. where the father engaged in farming and 
flour milling and became a prominent man. The parents of Mrs. Hollis had 
twelve children and those who reached maturity were : Irvin C. is living in 
Sanford, Florida; Isabelle is the widow of Robert Kendle, of Princeton, Indi- 
ana, and is mentioned more fully in another portion of this volume; Francis 
M. was a mill man in the South and West and died in Kansas; William A., 
who died in 1905, was a mill man at Fort Branch and had also engaged in 
the tile and mill business near Madisonville, Kentucky; Caleb Clark lives in 
Valparaiso, Indiana; Sarah Jane, .Mrs. Hollis. 

To Mr. and Mrs. Hollis have been born the following children: Heher 
Ernest is a miller at Emerson's mill at Vincenries, Indiana. He started to 
learn the milling business at the age of sixteen. He married Melissa Dame; 
Othniel (better known as "Ott") is a farmer and stock man at Patoka and 
married Forna Br< iwn : Francis Allen married Effie Martin and is farming in 
Patoka township; Bartlett H. died at the age of five months; John Stewart 
married Jessie Binkley and is a farmer in Patoka township; Rachael is the 
wife of Herbert Thompson, an oil driller at Bartelsville. Oklahoma; Walter 
is farming at home; Charles Edwin married Maude Blum and is farming in 
Patoka township; Clarence V. is at home. 

After his marriage Mr. Hollis lived on the Judge Robinson place for 
about a year, then at different places in Patoka township and in 1891 located 
on the present farm in Patoka township, the old Polk place, where he now 
has eighty acres of fine land, besides owning the eighty acres where his son 
resides. A general farming and stock raising business is carried on and a 
first-class modern agricultural plant developed. 

Believing in the principles set forth in the platform of the Socialist 
party, Mr. Hollis has allied himself with this party. He is a member of the 
Methodist Episcopal church and belongs to the Grand Army of the Republic. 



GIBSOI> C01 ■• i ■: i .in \\.\. — ( , > 

ELI J. ROBB. 

The true measure of individual success is determined by what oni 
accomplished. An enumeration of those men of a past generation who were 
successful in their life work and at the same time left the impress of their 
strong; personalities upon the community, men who won honor and recogni- 
tion for themselves, and at the same time conferred honor on the locality in 
which they resided, would be incomplete were there failure to make specific 
mention of the gentleman whose name initiates this paragraph, for although 
Eli J. Robb has long been sleeping the sleep of the just, his influence still 
pervades the lives of those who were s, > fortunate as to enjoy his acquaint 
ance His name is deeply engraved on the page- ;on county's history, 

for his life was a busy one. and he never allowed anything to inl vith 

his Christian obligations or the faithful performance of bis church duti 
His entire Christian life was a steady effort for the worth of the Christian 
doctrine, the purity and grandeur of Christian principle and the beauty and 
sublimity of Christian character. Pure, constant and noble was the spiritual 
flame that burned in and illumined the mortal tenement of the subject of this 
memoir, and to the superficial observer can come but small appreciation of his 
intrinsic spirituality, his faith being fortified by the deepest study, and the 
Christian verities were with him the matters of most concern among the 
changes and chances of this mortal life. 

The late Eli J. Robb. the son of Eli and Nancy i Davis I Robb, was born 
in Montgomery township, Gibson county, Indiana, in May. 1830. His father. 
Eli Robb, was horn August 7. 1707. the son of Thomas and Lydia 1 Waller 1 
Robb. Thomas Robb was born August 10. 1760. and his wife was born 
February 21. 1777. Thomas Robb, the grandfather of the subject of this 
sketch, came to this county with his family in a v day, and settled in 

Montgomery township, on the farm now owned by Presle) Robb. I fere Eli, 
the father of Eli J., was reared, and upon his marriage to Nanc_\ Davis he 
entered government land at Griffin, in Posey county. Later Ik 
what is now known as the William Shelton farm in Montgomery township. 
this county, and on this farm the subject of this sketch in -1 -aw the light of 
day. Shortlv before the birth of Eli J. Robb, his father died, and t! 
rs afterward his mother married Samuel Montgomery. They lived m 
Cynthiana and reared a large family of children. On reaching his majority, 
Eli T. Robb was married. October 8. 1851. to Zerelda Finch, a native of 
Vanderburg countv, Indiana. She was a daughter of G. W. and Delilah 



764 GIBSON COUNTY, INDIANA. 

(Graves) Finch. Her father was a native of Kentucky and her mother of 
Virginia. G. W. Finch was one of the most prominent men in the south- 
western part of Indiana. He was a very active Mason and in the early days 
of Indiana he helped in the organization of a number of lodges in this section 
and it is believed that he had the honor of helping to organize the first Ma- 
sonic lodge in Indianapolis. He had a Masonic apron that was given his 
father by George Washington's wife, a white satin apron stamped by Martha 
Washington with the Masonic emblems. It was given him with the request 
that it go to the first of his sons who sin mid become a Mason. This son was 
Senator G. W. Finch, and he left it to his oldest son, who was a Mason, and 
thus it has been handed down until it is now owned by G. \Y. Finch. Jr.. of 
Carmi, Illinois. Senator Finch came to Indiana when Evansville was a mere 
village and was offered the town site for a little gold watch which he owned. 
but refused to make the deal. Fie was an active Democrat all his life and the 
great political debates which were the rage during his days were often held 
at bis home. He served two terms as stale senator from Vanderburg county. 
\mong his friends was the late Robert Dale < )\\en, who was for several years 
a representative in Congress. 

After his marriage Eli J. Robb and wife made their home on his farm 
in section 36, Montgomery township. Their marriage was blessed 
with two children, Hattie E., and Sarah Ann, who died at the early age of six 
months. On this farm Mr. and Mrs. Robb remained the rest of their days 
with the exception of three years, when they lived in Lincoln, Illinois, in 
order to give their only daughter, Hattie F... an education at Lincoln Uni- 
versity, a Cumberland Presbyterian college. However, their daughter's 
health failed on account of her close application to her studies and they re- 
turned in their farm in this county, where they continued to reside until their 
death, Mrs. Robb's death occurring July 7. [891, her husband surviving her 
twenty years, passing away on January 5, 1911. 

Mr. Robb was an ardent Prohibitionist and attended the state conven- 
tions of bis party for many years as a delegate. His counsels were sought 
by the leaders of that party, and he always occupied a very prominent place 
in the state and county conventions. Mr. Robb was noted throughout this 
locality for his generous hospitality, and bis doors were always open to the 
poor and needy. Very frequently there were several orphan children being 
cared for in his home, or some unfortunate being aided by him, and no man 
ever lived in Gibson county who was more popular or well beloved by all 
classes than Eli }. Robb. Although not affiliated with any church as a mem- 



GIBSON COUNTY, [NDIANA. 765 

ber, yet he was a regular attendant of church service- and ever) church near 
him received some financial aid from him. It is said of him that nol even a 
tramp was ever turned hungry from his door. Ii is not what we give, hut 
what we share that renders our gifts valuable. 

Hattie Elizabeth, the only daughter of Eli J. Robb, taughl scl 1 two 

terms in Gibson county after leaving Lincoln University. While in Illinois, 
she became acquainted with her first husband, Professor P. L. Deardorff, a 
native of that state. They were married September 9, [§74, and until his 
death he followed the occupation of a teacher. He was superintendent of 
schools one year at Mechanicsburg, Illinois, two years at ( Iraysville, that state, 
one year at Fort Branch, Gibson county, Indiana, and the last year of his life 
was superintendent of the city schools at Mattoon, Illinois. \t the time of his 
examination for a teacher's certificate in Illinois, he passed the best examina- 
tion which had ever been passed up to that time in Coles count). 111m 
He was a genuine scholar, a Latin student of great ability, and was also very 
active in church ami Sunday school work and always strictly followed his 
motto. "( Inward and Upward." Shortly after their marriage his health gave 
way and he went to Colorado to recuperate. < In his return from Coloradi 
Illinois he stopped at Abilene, Kansas, at the home of Senator Burton, wh 
wife was a member of the Robb family, and here his death occurred July 27, 
18711. Professor Deardorff was a very conscientious worker and while teach- 
ing he studied medicine, intending to follow that profession later on. 

\ftcr the death of her husband, Mrs. Deardorff returned to the home 
of her parents in Gibson county, where she has since lived. She was again 
married December 26, [895, to Edgar II. Bailey, but the marriage did not 
prove congenial and after about thirteen years it was thought best to bring 
their marital relations to an end. Since that n'me Mrs. Bailey has continued 
her residence on the old home plate where she was bom in May, [853 Mere 
ha- lived a life of usefulness', which has endeared her to even one in the 
community. When her mother died. Mrs. Bailej promised her to do more 

for the 1 r than they had done and this meant much, for Mr. and Mrs. Robb 

bad been probably the most charitable people in the whole township. Mrs. 
P»ailev considers her promise to her mother as a duty laid upon her and, as she 
is able, not only gives money, but also that rare sympathy that means 
more. She has been a power for good to all with whom she comes in con- 
tact, gives homes to the unfortunate and oppressed, and even has several of 
the unfortunates in her own home at times. Fortunately she is posse 
with the mean- to earn out her charitable ideas and the good which she d< 



766 GIBSON COUNTY, INDIANA. 

for this community has rendered her one of the best beloved women of the 
county. Her kindly bearing, her loving kindness, and the friendly method? 
of doing her good deeds, her tender and ennobling way of bringing cheer to 
the hearts of the unfortunate will probably never receive due credit in this 
world. 



JOHN D. CHISM. 



Among the citizens of Gibson county, Indiana, who have built up a com- 
fortable home and surrounded themselves with valuable real estate and per- 
gonal property, few have attained a higher degree of success than John D. 
( hism. With few opportunities except what his own efforts were capable 
of mastering and with many discouragements to overcome he has made an 
exceptional success in life and in his old age has the gratification of knowing 
that the community in which he resides has been benefited by his presence. 

John D. Chism. one of the most successful farmers in Gibson county, 
Indiana, was born on August 28, 1852, in Montgomery township, this county. 
His parents were William and Mary (Fitzgerald) Chism. William Chism 
was born in White county, Illinois, and his wife was a native of Posey county, 
this state. John Chism, the father of William Chism, was one of the first of 
the family to come to White county. Illinois, and when the family settled 
there in 1812, they were in the midst of the struggles incident to the war of 
181 2. However, they were never troubled with the Indians, and lived in 
that county the remainder of their lives. William, the father of John Chism, 
was the only son of the family who grew to maturity. The four daughters 
of Mr. and Mrs. John Chism who grew to maturity were as follows: Mrs. 
Rachel Graham, Mrs. Margaret Blue, Mrs. Nancy Rudolph and Mrs. Sarah 
Graham. William Chism grew up in White county, Illinois, and received 
his limited education in the district schools of his home locality. In 1843 
he left Illinois, settling in Gibson county, Indiana, about three miles north of 
Posey ville. Later he entered government land in Gibson county, this state, 
and cleared and improved a farm of respectable proportions. Here he lived 
the life of a farmer the remainder of his day?, his death occurring in 1876. 
He was a life-long Democrat and, with his wife, a member of the Regular 
Baptist church. To Mr. and Mrs. William Chism were born eight children: 
James M., of Poseyville, Indiana, born October 11, T845 : Margaret, the wife 
of John Martin, born October 11, 1850; Hiram, born January 28, 1855, died 



GIBSON COUNTY, INDIANA. 767 

July 16, 1855; Elizabeth, born October 5, 1856, married Philip Martin, a 
lives on the old Chism homestead; William, born October 27, 1858, died 
October 9, 1859; Hattie, born January 2, 1865, married John Arbuthnot, 
Center township, this county; Charles B., born Augusl 2, 1862, is now a miner 
in Alaska, and John D., the immediate subject of this sketch. 

John D. Chism was the third child in the family and received his educa- 
tion in the schools of his home locality, finishing' his educational training in 
the Owensville high school. That he prospered well by his schooling is shown 
in the fact that he was successful in securing a teacher's license and later 
taughl school in Posey county for one year. He continued to reside at home 
until his mother's death, after which he boughl nan of his father's old farm 
and built a house and otherwise improved the place. Pater he sold this place 
and boughl eighty acres on the state road south of Princeton about twelve 
miles and here he lived for nine years. He then sold this farm and pur- 
chased a farm near Douglas Station. Indiana, consisting of one hundred 
twenty acres, which he continued to operate for the next twenty-one years. 
In addition to his farming interests he also had a general store at Douglas 
Station and handled grain of all kinds. Mr. Chism has always been a very 
successful farmer, and in fact, everything to which he has turned his attention 
has been successful. He has made considerable money in the buying and 
selling of grain, live stock and agricultural product- of all kinds. 

John D. Chism was married November 17. [881, to ( irace B. Mauck, 
the daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Alford Mauck, who an- represented elsewhere 
in this volume. Mr. and Mrs. Chism are the parents of mk children: Angie, 
who married Alva Montgomery in January. 1906 Immediately after marriage 
they lived in Montgomery township, but went wesl <>n accounl of Mr-. Mont- 
gomery's health and while there -he died. Mr-. Montgomery left two chil- 
dren, Carroll, deceased in 1899, and Jeanette. Blanche 1... who married Joseph 
McCullough, September 13. T<)i^. lives in Tulsa, < Oklahoma; Mary, who, after 
graduating from the Princeton high school, entered Indiana University at 
Bloomington where she is still a student: Harold, who died in 1899. at the 
age of four years; Lucy, who is still at home and attending high school at 
Princeton. 

Mr. Chism is a stanch Democrat, but has never be< n an aspirant for any 
political office. His business affairs have occupied all of bis att< and 

demanded all of his time, so that he has had 11.. time t.> play the political game 
in his county. However, he is a man who keeps well informed on all the 
current affairs of the dav. and has decided convictions "ii important questions 



768 GIBSON COUNTY, INDIANA. 

which he is able to set forth in a very forcible manner. As a farmer and 
business man he has been eminently successful and he and his wife now are 
the owners of several valuable farms in Gibson county, as well as personal 
property of various kinds. The family moved in 19 13 to Princeton and 
bought a home at 701 South Gibson street, where they dispense hospitality to 
a large circle of friends and acquaintances. Mr. Chism is a man of fine and 
alert mentality and is deeply interested in everything pertaining to the ad- 
vancement of his community along material and moral lines, and for years 
has been prominent as one of Gibson county's highly respected citizens. 



LEMUEL ( ). EMMERSON. 

The history of a county or state, as well as that of a nation, is chiefly a 
chronicle of the lives and deeds of those who have conferred honor and dig- 
nity upon society. The world judges the character of a community by those 
of its representative citizens and yields its tributes of admiration and respect 
to those whose words and actions constitute the records of a state's prosperity 
and pride. Among the prominent citizens of Gibson county who are well 
known because of the part they have taken in public affairs is Lemuel O. 
Emmerson. 

Lemuel O. Emmerson was born at King's Station, south of Princeton, 
Gibson enmity, Indiana, on April 11, 1846, the son of Lemuel and Nancy 
(Dougan) Emmerson. The father was a son of Jesse Emmerson, who came 
from Lincoln county, Kentucky, to Gibson county, Indiana, on April 10, 
1809, locating on what is known as the John Martin Smith place between 
Princeton and Owensville, and was one of the earliest settlers of this locality. 
He and his family floated down the Ohio river on canoes to Evansville, from 
there coming to Princeton, their first camp being on the present site of Judge 
Land's residence. At that time but little settlement had been made in this 
localitv, the land being covered by a dense forest. Jesse Emmerson was born 
a British subject, his birth taking place near Culpeper, Virginia, in 1767, and 
it is noteworthy that he has a son, Henry P. Emmerson, who is now living in 
the Soldiers' Home at Lafayette, Indiana, being now (this year, 1914) 
eightv years of age. Thus two generations of this family have witnessed 
everv change in the American colonies and states since the independence of 
the former. Jesse Emmerson was a farmer by vocation and a man of con- 
siderable influence and force in this community. He married Elizabeth 




LEMUEL O KMMERSON. 



NTY, INDIANA. 

Emmerson, who was probably a cousin, and to them wer< mrteen chil- 

dren, twelve sons and two daughters, five of whom were deaf and dumb, in- 
cluding the subject's father. Of these fourteen children, I lenry P. is the only 
"in- living. The senior, Lemuel Emmerson, while living, was a successful 
farmer in Patoka township, this county, and died on December u, 1845, a 
few in. nulls before the birth of the subject of this sketch. He was the father 
of live children, namely: Mary E. Mead, of Oakland City, Indiana: James 
R., of Oakland City; Mrs. Hannah J. Rutter, deceased; Mrs. Malissa Vick 
of Oakland City, and Lemuel O., the subject. \fter the father's death, the 
mother became the wife of Stephen Sanders, there being no issue I" this inl- 
and her death occurred in 1872 at Fort Branch, this county. 

Lemuel O. Emmerson was '-eared on the paternal farmstead, receiving 
his education in the country schools of his home neighborhood. On Decem- 
ber 8, [863, when but sixteen years of age, he enlisted in Company D. < >ne 
Hundred and Twentieth Indiana Volunteer Infantry, rendering valuable - 
ice to his country, receh ing an honorable discharge on December 8, 1866. 1 le 
took part in all the campaigns and battles in which his regiment participated, 
including the battles around Atlanta, and those at Rocky Face, Snake Creek 
Gap, Resaca, Lost Mountain and Kenesaw Mountain. He helped to lay the 
bridge at the crossing of Chattahoochee river, at the mouth 1 creek, and 

there waded the stream in the face of thi 's fire. He was in the battle 

of Atlanta, where General McPherson was killed, and in the sanguinary con- 
flict at Jonesboro. After the fall of Atlanta. Mr. Emmerson accompanied 
his regiment in the pursuit of Hood to Tennessee, and took part in the engage- 
ment olumbia, Nashville, and Franklin. Tennessee, and was in the battle 
of Kingston, Morth Carolina, one of the last of tl onfh ling 
home upon the conclusion of his service, Mr. Emmerson went to school for 
two years and then engaged in teaching, which commanded his attenti 
twenty-nine years, during all of which period he taught in inty 
schools with the exception of four terms. In 1898 Mr. Finnic red 
from pedagogical work as a profession and was elected a j ice. 
This position he nov. is discharged his du: sat- 
isfaction of all who have had business in his court. Well informed in the 
general prim dence and with a lar and fair- 
ness, his decisions ha marked by a soundness of judgment and correct- 

of view, which have received the the higher courts. 

On March 11. 1872, Mr. Emmerson was married to Marinda J. Mason, a 

(49) 



770 GIBSON COUNTY, INDIANA. 

native of Gibson county and a representative of one of its sterling families. 
To this union there were born three children, of whom one is living, Bessie, 
the wife of Lewis A. Shearer, of Charleston, West Virginia. Mrs. Emmerson 
died in 1890. and on April 16, 1891, Air. Emmerson married Mary E. French, 
of Fort Branch, this county. Politically, he is an anient Republican, while 
his religious membership is with the General Baptist church. Fraternally, he 
is a member of the Independent Order of Odd Fellows and the Grand Army 
of the Republic. A man of sterling character and qualities, he has earned and 
retained to a notable degree the confidence and esteem of the entire commun- 
ity and is clearly entitled to representation in a work of the character of the 
one at hand. 



JAMES KILMARTIN. 



The history of the loyal sons and representative citizens of Gibson 
count}- would not lie complete should the name that heads this review be 
omitted. When the fierce fire of rebellion was raging throughout the South- 
land, threatening to destroy the Union, he responded with patriotic fervor to 
the call for volunteers and in some of the bloodiest battles for which that great 
war was noted proved his loyalty to the government he loved so well. During 
a useful life he has labored diligentlv not only for his own material advance- 
ment, but has also been devoted to the public welfare, doing what he could to 
benefit the community and advance its standard of citizenship. 

James Kilmartin was born July 4, [846, in New Orleans. Louisiana, the 
son of Michael and Susan (Fox) Kilmartin. Michael Kilmartin was a 
native of county Tipperary, Ireland, and came to America in 1K40, first 
locating in .Muskingum county, Ohio, at Dresden, where his marriage took 
place, the wife being a native of Wayne county, Pennsylvania. After his 
marriage he went to Xew Orleans and remained about seven years, after 
which he returned to Ohio and became half owner in a distillery at Dresden, 
which he operated until his death, in 1854, in his thirty-second year. In 
early life he was a contractor and builder. Susan Fox. his wife, was a 
daughter of Henry Fox, of Pennsylvania, he being of German descent. In 
an early day Henry Fox secured a land claim in Guernsev county. Ohio, and 
hired a man to help him move his family to his newly acquired land. On the 
journey a wagon broke down and Mr. Fox went to the house of a nearby 
settler to secure a chain to repair the trouble. He never returned, and his 



GIBSON COUNTY, INDIANA. ~~\ 

body was found in the river with the chain about his neck. The man wl 
was helping him to move took the horse and left the family there alone in 
the woods for several days until travelers happening along found them and 
helped them to their claim in Guernsey county, the mother and her 

family settled and made a home. Subject's maternal grandparents had eight 
children: John, Mary, Delilah. Henry, Sarah, Pete and the subject's mother. 
All of the family lived in Ohio, except John, who a< ig man went to 

Ik county, Missouri. 

To James Kilrriartin's parents were born five children, as follows: A 
son died in New Orleans, Louisiana, in infancy; the subject; Mary and Aden 
are deceased: Sarah lives in Louisville, Kentucky. 

The subject of this review attended the common schools and worked 
on the home farm until the com ent of the Civil war. when. Septem- 

u. [862, he enlisted in Company F, Sixty-second Ohio Volunteer In- 
fantry, which was sent to Fortress Monroe and the first battle in which sub- 
ject was engaged was at Fredericksburg, Virginia. In the sprii 863 
.Mr. Kilmartin's command was sent to South ■ a and was at New Berne 
and Morris Island; July 10, [863, they were at the siege of Fori Wagner, 
and then were ordered to Hilton Head, South Carolina, where the regiment 
was veteranized and granted a thirty days' furlough to \isit their homes. 
Returning to Virginia, Mr. Kilmartin's command was assigned to the Tenth 
Armv Corps and they were in all the engagements tip to and including Ap- 
pomattox, and were -ranted honorable discharge June jo. [865, when they 
returned to the Buckeye state. Mr. Kilmartin's health was badly broken 
while he was in the service and he Ion- suffered from the effects of the ex- 
posure and hardships which he endured. Me remained in Ohio until [868 
and then went to Maysville, Mason county, Kentucky, and 
the cooper's trade, which he had previously l< lb- worked in different 
parts of Kentucky until [880, when be came to I lakland < ity, Indiana, and 
followed his vocation there until [900, coming then to Princeton, where 
was employed in the same manner until his retirement. 

In 1870, in Maysville, Kentucky. Mr. Kihnartm rried to Frances 

Snidicor, of that city, a daughter of Gilbert and Minerva 1 Hampton) Snidi- 
cor, she of Maysville. Kentucky, and he of Orange county, New York, lie 
was a soldier in the Sixteenth Kentucky Infantry and served four years. 
He was a boot and shoe maker by trade and a line workman. Both he and 
In- wife died in Maysville. To the subject and wife have been born the 
following children: George, who is a cooper by trade, ha- engaged in 



772 GIBSON COUNTY, INDIANA. 

several different kinds of business, and is now living at home, employed with 
Smith & Riggs, grocers. He is a member of the Independent Order of Odd 
Fellows, the Tribe of Ben-Hur, and the Free and Accepted Masons; Ida A. 
is at home; Minnie is the wife of Walter Riggs, grocer, of Princeton. 

Mr. Rilmartin is an honored member of Archer Post, Grand Army of 
the Republic, is now senior vice commander of the post anil has always 
taken an active interest in its affairs. Mrs. Kilmartin is a member of the 
Methodist church, having belonged to it for many years. 



CHARLES RIGHTLY 



The character of a community is determined in a large measure by the 
lives of a comparatively few of its members. If its moral and intellectual 
status be good, if in a social way it is a pleasant place in which to reside, if its 
reputation as to the integrity of its citizens has extended into other localities, 
it will be found that the standards set by the leading men have been high and 
their influence such as to mould the characters and shape the lives of those 
with whom they mingle. In placing the late Charles Rightly in the front 
rank of such men, justice is rendered a biographical fact universally recog- 
nized throughout the locality lung honored by his citizenship by those at all 
familiar with his history. Although a quiet and unassuming man, with no 
ambition for public position or leadership, he contributed much to the material, 
civic and moral advancement of his community, while his admirable qualities 
of head and heart and the straightforward, upright course of his daily life 
won for him the esteem and confidence of the circles in which he moved, and, 
although he is now sleeping the "sleep of the just," his influence still lives 
and his memory is greatly revered. 

Charles Rightly, who for many years was well known as a successful 
druggist and public-spirited citizen at Oakland City, Indiana, was born in 
1850 in Chatters, England, and his death occurred at bis home in Oakland 
City on January 14. 1913. He was the son of John and Mary Rightly, who 
also were born at Chatters, and who came to the United States in 1852, 
landing at New Orleans. They came on to Evansville, Indiana, where they 
located on December 25, 1852, and there the father's death occurred about six 
months later. He was a farmer by vocation and a man of clean life and 
excellent characteristics. He was survived many years by his widow, who 
died in 1002, at the age of eighty-six years. The}- were the parents of five 



GIBSON COl \ I ' . \. ~- 5 

children, of whom two are now living, Mrs. Barridge and Airs. Williams, 
both now residing in Evansville. 

Charles Kightly received his education in the common schools of 
Evansville. supplementing this by a special course of training in a business 
college, and in 1877 he came to Hazleton, Gibson county, Indiana, and 
entered the employ of his uncle, Josiah Kightly, who operated a store. In 
addition to clerking in the store Mr. Kightly engaged in buying wheat and 
other grain f'>r his uncle, and also during tin's period learned the drug busi- 
ness. The latter vocation attracted him, and in [880 he Opened a drug store 
on his own account at Posey ville, Indiana, which he operated for nine years 
with good success, but on account of poor health he was compelled to 
of his business, and during the Following two years he located at Evansville, 
though during that time he traveled much of the time. In 1892 Mr. Kightly 
came to Oakland City and bought the \V. L.WesI drug -tore and devoted him- 
self to the management of this business until his death. lie was a keen and 
sagacious business man and so managed his affairs as to reap a satisfactory 
pecuniary reward. Tie enjoyed a wide acquaintance throughout Gibson 
county and made many warm personal friends who esteemed him highly be- 
cause of his excellent personal characteristics and bis in business 
affairs. He owned a splendid and attractive home in Oakland City where bis 
widow n< iw resides. 

hi 1878, Mr. Kightly married, at Hazelton, Indiana. Eva M. Gardner, 
who was born at Princeton. Indiana, the daughter of James T. and Martha 
(Ewing) Gardner. James T. Gardner came to Princeton, Indiana, as a 
single man, and here was married. 1 le was a cooper by trade and eventually 
located at Hazleton, where be worked at his trade until 18S-. when be went 
to California and entered the soldiers' home, where be has since lived. lie 
still makes regular trips back to bis old home to sec his family, his wife still 
residing at Hazleton, as she does no1 care to go so far away from the other 
members of her family. James T. Gardner is a veteran of tl war. hav- 

ing enlisted at Princeton in Company I >, Fifty-eighth Regiment Indiana 
Volunteer Infantry, with which command be served throughout the war. tak- 
ing part in many of the most importanl battles and camp;! that historic 
struggle. During bis residence in < libson county he enjoyed a wide acquaint- 
ance and was highly respected by all who knew him. To him and bis wife 
were born five children, namely: Eva M. Kightly, Marion, deceased, who 
was the wife of William Reedy, of Hazleton; Vgnes, the wife H nry 
Briner. of Hazleton, with whom their mother nov lives; Sallie, who died at 



774 GIBSON COUNTY, INDIANA. 

the age of eighteen years: Clifford C. who lives at Detroit, Michigan, is 
district passenger agenl for the Chicago, Rock Island & Pacific railroad; 
he married May Stewart, of Dysart, low a. To Mr. and Mrs. Kightly were 
born two daughters, Edith, the wife of Sanford Trippett, of Princeton, Indi- 
ana, who are the parents of three children, Blanche, Byron K. and Charles 
K. ; Blanche married B. O Bennett, now of Caruthersville, Missouri, and is a 
civil engineer. They have one daughter, Martha G. 

Fraternally, Charles Kightly was an appreciative member of the Knights 
of Pythias, and he and his wife were members of the Methodist Episcopal 
church. Mr. Kightly is remembered by those who knew him well as a man 
ol strong personality, but he never forced his convictions upon anyone, being 
notably reserved and undemonstrative. Mis high sense of honor restrained 
him from directing- his activities toward any but worthy objects. He was a 
splendid type of the self-made man. having in him the elements that make 
men successful in the highest degree. Pre-eminent among his qualities was 
that sound judgment which is ordinarily called common sense. His good 
judgment extended to men as well as measures and for these reasons he was 
a thoroughly practical man, self-reliant, firm and resolute. To this was 
added the one tiling necessary for the ideal business man, a scrupulous honesty 
in his dealings with his fellow men. I lis life was exemplary in every respect 
and bis memory will long be carried by a wide circle of friends and acquaint- 
ances throughout this section of the state. 



FRANKLIN JONES. 



The best title one can establish to the high and generous esteem of an 
elligent community is a protracted and honorable residence therein. The 
subject of this sketch, some years deceased, spent his entire life in Gibson 
county and because of his earnest and consistent life in the face of ill health 
sufficient to discourage totally one of less optimism and natural hopefulness, 
he earned the sincere respect and good opinion of all who knew him. 

Franklin Jones was a native of Gibson county, born near Owensville, 
in Montgomery township in [823, and died near where he was born June 16, 
1908. He was born in the first one of four bouses built on the same site and 
died in the last one built. He was a son of Charles and Eleanor (Warrick) 
Jones and the parents of Charles were Cadwallader and Martha (Pitt) Jones. 
natives of England. Martha (Pitt) Jones was a relative of William Pitt, 



GIBSON COUNTY, INDIANA. 775 

England's famous statesman, and came to America before she was 
Her people located in North Carolina, where also located the Jones family 
from England and there she and Cadwallader Jones were married. In their 
early married life they went to Kentucky to make their h une and there their 
son, Charles, was born in the vicinity of Hopkinsville. Cadwallader died 
there and .Martha came to Indiana with her son Charles. She married the 
second time after locating in Gibson comity, her husband being [esse ' 
and they lived on Barren creek, about three and one half miles west of 
Owensville. Charles Jones took as his wife Eleanor Warrick, daughfc 
Capt. Jacob Warrick, who made a name for himself during the Indian 
in the early days of the state, and received a mortal wound at the bat. 
Tippecanoe. Charles Jones and wife took up their residence on land south 
of < Iwensville and lived there until their death. Twelve children were born 
to Charles Jones and wife, namely: Mrs. Eliza Waters; Jacob \\'.. who 
never married and made his home with his brother John near Midland City, 
Illinois, and died there at the age of eighty-eight. He had a very retentive 
memory and prided himself on his knowledge of the history of his family. 
He was also proud of the Fad thai his first vote was cast for Henn 

lent of the United States, and always recalled with pleasure that he had 
heard Abraham Lincoln speak. He was successful financially and accinrn 
considerable wealth during his life. The third child was Franklin, the 

ediate subject of Ibis sketch: John became quite wealth}' also and lived 
for many years near Midland City, [llinois, where he died: Nancy, a dan 

v the wife of Abram Mauck ; William always lived on his father's place 
south of Owensville. Indiana, and died there March 14. [908; Robert died in 
infancy; Martha lived to be about forty year- and died unmarried; 

Thomas Corwin Jones made his home south of Owensville. His wife was 
Mary Kesterson and to them were born five children. The mother and three 
of the children are dead. Marshall lived for mam' year- atrice. 

Nebraska, and died there, while James Smith Jones never married and 
on the old homestead in ( b'bson count}'. 

On December 16, 1847, Franklin Jones was united in marria 
fort Sharp, born near Cynthiana, [ndiana, and a daughter of John Wrighl 
and Tempcrai iarp) Sharp. The Sharp family originally came 

Carroll count}-, near Baltimore, Maryland, and at the 1 ! the eighteenth 

century went to Kentucky, later coming to Gibson county about [833. Benja- 
min Sharp, father of John Wright Sharp, secured government land which he 
reclaimed from the wilderness, located near the present sil Iwensville, 



776 GIBSON COUNTY, INDIANA 

and this same tract of land is to-day known as the Franklin Jones estate. 
Benjamin Sharp and wife were the parents of twelve children, namely : 
Thomas, John Wright. Talbott, Micajah, Benjamin, Alary Weaver, Hannah. 
Nancy, Cassandra, Mrs. Sally Pollard, Prudence Pollard and Carolina Mont- 
gomery. Benjamin Sharp's wife was Elizabeth Wright. 

Benjamin Sharp's brother Thomas married Rachael Elliott and settled 
in Gibson county on the land now owned by William H. Redman. There 
were eight children in their family, two sets of triplets and one set of twins. 
Their names were: James E., Horatio, George, John, Hugh, Mrs. Elizabeth 
Ann Hunter, Mrs. Temperance Sharp and her twin sister Comfort. 

John Wright Sharp, son of Benjamin Sharp, married Temperance Sharp, 
daughter of his uncle Thomas. They had two daughters. Comfort and a 
child who died in infancy. John Wright Sharp and wife died when their 
little daughter, Comfort, was only twelve years old, and she came to live with 
her aunt Elizabeth Herring on the land where John Wright Jones, mentioned 
elsewhere in this volume, now resides, and there she made her home until her 
marriage to Franklin Jones. Her mother, Temperance Sharp, daughter of 
Thomas Sharp, was born in 1800. and when the baby, Temperance, was but 
two weeks old, her father started on a trip back to Maryland. While there. 
the baby's Aunt Temperance gave her a ring for the little namesake, made of 
Guinea^old and that ring is' still in existence, being in the possession of the 
daughters of Franklin Jones. 

Franklin Jones and wife were the parents of eight children, all of whom 
lived past maturity. There were Eleanor W., Maria, John Wright, Martha 
Temperance, Eliza Jane. Mary Elizabeth, Sarah Alice, and William Franklin. 
All are now living but Sarah Alice, who was the wife of W. O. Jones, and 
died leaving live children. Her husband is still living near Owensville. 
Eleanor \\"., Maria, Martha Temperance and Eliza Jane still live on the old 
homestead left them by their parents. They proved themselves worthy chil- 
dren of such excellent parents, and remained with their father and mother, 
caring for them through their old age. Mary, one of the daughters of the 
family, is the wife of Theodore Crawford and lives not far from the old 
home and William F. also lives in the neighborhood. 

Franklin Jones was a farmer all his life, but for many years was unable 
to engage in the active work required about the homestead owing to con- 
tinued illness which incapacitated him. and the management of the home fell 
very largely upon his efficient and faithful wife and the older children of the 
family. Notwithstanding this, however, they reared their large family, 



GIBSON COUNTY, INDIANA. 7JJ 

caring for them properly, and accumulated considerable property besides. 
While not a member of any church society, Franklin Jones gave his religious 
sympathies to Ihe Baptist church ami lived in strict accordance with the rules 
of same. Throughout his life, his manner of living was such as to win For 
him many warm friends, and considering the disadvantage under which he 
labored, he was able to accomplish a surprisi unt. From beneath his 

roof, sons and daughters have gone forth to take iheir places in the world, 
bearing with them the consciousness of early and correel training. 



ZADOK M. McCLEARY. 

To attain a worthy citizenship by a life that is always honored and re- 
spected, even from childhood, deserves more than mere mention. Lt is no 
easy task to resist the man}' temptations of youth and early manhood and 
plant a character in the minds and hearts of associates thai will remain an 
unstained figure for all time. One may take his place in public life through 
some vigorous stroke of public policy, and even remain in the hearts of 
friends and neighbors, but to take the same position b) dint of the practice 
of an upright life and without a craving for exaltation merely for selfish 
ends, whose chief desires seem to be to serve other- and lead a life of use- 
fulness and honor, is worthy of the highest praise and commendation. Such 
a man is Zadok M. McCleary, a man who has discharged his public and pri- 
vate duties as they appeared to him. honestly and in a spirit of candor and 
fairness. He is always ready to as-ist when he sees that aid is needed 
and he certainly deserves the high esteem in which he is held. 

Zadok M. McCleary was horn in Barton town-hip, Gibson county. In- 
diana, December I, 1844. the son of James L. and Maria (Martin) Mc- 
Cleary, he a son of William, of Ohio, and b n of Robert, of Ireland. 
The McCleary family were early settlers in Barton township, Gibson county, 
arriving in that community about the same tune a- the Skelton family. 
They settled on wild land and the family has always lived in that locality. 

Subject's father was a farmer and died in 1878, at the age of -ixtv-five, 
and his wife passed away in 1877, in her sixty-fifth year. They were mem- 
bers of the Baptist church. To them were born eight children: | 1 1 William 
II. is deceased. He married Jane C. kirkpatrick and they had three children. 
Jam.- [1 mm K. and Thomas YV. William 11. was a soldier in Company F, 
Forty-second Indiana Volunteer Infantry. (2) James W. was a member 



778 GIBSON COUNTY, INDIANA. 

of Company F, Forty-second Indiana Volunteers, and was killed at Stone's 
River. (3) Jacob died young. (4) The subject. (5) Mary married James 
C. McGregor and both are deceased. (6) Anna is the wife of Miles Mc- 
Kane. of Chandler, Indiana. (8) Dicey D. married Neamiah Wallace and 
died m Essex, .Missouri. 

Zadok M. McCleary received little schooling and worked on the home 
place until the outbreak of the Civil war, when he. his father and two 
brothers all enlisted in Company F, Forty-second Regiment Indiana Volun- 
teer Infantry, his father and brothers enlisting on October 9, 1861, and the 
subject in December of that year, he joining the company at Chattanooga, 
Tennessee. He was in Sherman's command on the march to the sea, and 
was engaged in all the battles and skrimishes incident to that memorable 
campaign, finally taking part in the grand review at Washington, D. C. Mr. 
McCleary was discharged from the army July 21, [865, at Louisville, Ken- 
tucky, and returned home. 

( In December 22, 1865, Mr. McCleary was united in marriage to Nancy 
L. Kirkpatrick, of Barton township, the daughter of John and Nancy ( Wil- 
son ) Kirkpatrick, who were early pioneers in Barton township, having come 
here from the Chester district of South Carolina, their native state. They 
spent their lives in Barton township, the father being a farmer. To John 
and Nancy Kirkpatrick were born ten children, namely: Letitia, deceased 
wife of James C. Minnis; Jane, widow of William II. McCleary, of Mackey, 
Barton township: Robert and William, deceased; .Mary, deceased, married 
James M. Hunter, who died in Andersonville prison; John, deceased; Nancy, 
the wife of Mr. McCleary; Sarah, deceased; one died in infancy; James, of 
I >ent< mville, Arkansas. 

To Mr. and Mrs. McCleary have been born eight children: Hettie died 
at the age of fifteen years: Laura Ann married W. D. Farris, of Barton 
township, and is the mother of the following children : Charles (deceased), 
Ella (deceased), Alva, Lillie, Floyd (deceased). Lula, John, Hazel, Josie, 
Earl, one died in infancy, and William; Cora married James W. Farris. of 
Barton township, and is the mother of five children, Harlev, Mahala, Blanche. 
1 ilyde and I lar\e\ ; Clara married L. L. Bell, of Evansville, Indiana, and has 
five children, Russell, Fred, John. Edward and Esther: John enlisted in the 
regular army of the United States June 16, 1898, and was honorably dis- 
charged April 15, 1S99, by general order number forty-four, from head- 
quarters at San Juan. Porto Rico. He served all through the Spanish- 
American war. Previous to his armv service he was with the Tutor Iron 



GIBSON COUN rv, l\DI VNA. JJ't 

Works at East St. Louis and was also a member of the East St. Louis police 
force, lie died September 4. [906 I le was a splendid young man. a Mason 
and an Odd Fellow; Mary is the widow of David Fields, of Ml. Vernon, 
Illinois, and has one daughter, Edith; Emma is the widow of Crawford 
Martin, of Mt. Vernon, Illinois; Dora is the wife of George F. Seats, a mill 
man of Houlka, Mississippi. They have two children, Thelma and Golden. 

After the war Mr. McCleary lived in Barton township and followed agri- 
culture until 1892, when he removed to Summerville, Indiana, remaining 
there until 1906, when he located in Oakland City, wdiere he has since re 
mained. 

Mr. McCleary is an honored member of the Grand Arm) of the Re- 
public, being a member of A. H. Cockrum Post No. 520, at Oakland City, 
and is now serving his eighth term as commander. The subject is a faithful 
and earnest member of the General Baptist church at Oakland City. 



BENJAMIN FRANKLIN JOHNSON. 

\ career marked by earnest and indefatigable application has been thai 
of the honored and substantial citizen of Gibson county, Indiana, whose name 
appears at the head of this sketch. In this county he has had a continuous 
residence oi nearly four score years, in all of which time his life has been an 
open book and read by his fellowmen. He was a valiant soldier of the Civil 
war. where bis fidelity was of the Lype which has characterized bis actions 
in all relations and gained for him the confidence and esteem of the public, 
and the unbounded respect of all with whom Ik- has been brought into con- 
tact. \s a fanner looking out for everything which would advance the 
farming interests of his community; as ■,< public official endeavoring to put 
into his office the best judgment which he possessed; as a soldier in the I 
Rebellion, we find him in all of these various walks a man in whom bis fellow- 
men could place unbounded confidence The old soldiers are fast passing 
awav and the few who are left should be honored by every citizen who loves 
his country. These were the men who proved then- love and loyalty to the 
eminent along the path of marches, on the lonel) picket line, on the 
tented field and amid the flame and smoke of battle and then returning to civil 
life, again took up manfully the struggle of industrial and commercial life. 
but whether in war or in peace, the record of Mr. Johnson has been signalized 
by honesty of purpose and integrity of thought and action so that he has fully 



780 GIBSON COUNTY, INDIANA. 

deserved the position which has been granted to him by the people with whom 
lie has mingled for so many years. 

Benjamin Franklin Johnson was born April 23. 1834, in Pike county, 
Indiana. His parents were Benjamin and Polly (Almon) Johson, the father 
a native of Virginia, and a son of Arthur Johnson, who was born in 1757 in 
Virginia and served through the Revolutionary war. At the close of that 
struggle he returned to civil pursuits and married Lucy Harmon and moved 
to Kentucky, and from thence he went to Gibson county, Indiana, settling in 
Montgomery township. After remaining there a few years he went west- 
ward and settled in White county, Illinois, where his death occurred. About 
twenty ears after his death his grandsons, Levi and Benjamin Franklin, 
moved his body to a cemetery seven miles north of Carmi and erected a sub- 
stantial monument over his grave. Polly Almon. the mother of the subject, 
was born in Kentucky and while she was still a young girl, moved to this state 
and settled in Montgomery township, this count)'. She was a daughter of 
Arnot Almon and wife. She had a brother, Thomas, who was wounded in 
the battle of Tippecanoe in 181 1, and another brother, Buckner, who was 
killed in the same battle. Benjamin Johnson and wife, parents of the subject, 
settled in Montgomery township, this county, after their marriage, while B. J. 
Johnson was a small child, and soon after coming here the wife and mother 
died. Benjamin Johnson lived a widower the rest of his life, his death oc- 
curring at the age of sixty-three, having spent his whole life on the farm. 
To Benjamin Johnson and wife were born eight children, of whom three of 
the sons are living: Thomas Almon, of Owensville; Marion, of Oakland 
City, and Benjamin Franklin, the immediate subject of this sketch. Three 
of the brothers, Thomas B. F. and William R.. deceased, were soldiers of 
the Civil war. 

Benjamin Franklin Johnson enlisted on September 3, t863, in Company 
D, One Hundred and Twentieth Regiment Indiana Volunteer Infantry, and 
was assigned to duty in the Twenty-third Army Corps under General Scho- 
field in the Army of the West. He participated in many battles and 
skirmishes, among which were the battles of Resaca. Kingston, North Caro- 
lina, the second battle of Nashville, and others in the northwest part of 
Georgia and Tennessee. He was at Raleigh, North Carolina, in the spring of 
1865 when Johnson surrendered to General Sherman. He was then kept 
on guard duty until January 6. 1866, at which time he was finally .mustered 
out. He immediately returned to Montgomery township, and resumed his 
farming operations. 



GIBSON COUNTY, INDIANA. jS I 

Mr. Johnson has been married three times, his first marriage occurring 
on September 4, 1S59, to Laura A. Davis, the daughter of William and Sally 
fohnson) Davis. Her father was a native of North Carolina and came to 
this state in an early daw his family settling along Black river in Montgomery 
township, near the Posey county line. To .Air. Johnson's first union were 
horn five children: Emma, the widow of William Henry Sharpe, "who nun 
lives in Vincennes. and is the mother of six children, five living and one 
dead: Ida Iv>ss. deceased wife of Julius Martin, was the mother of th 
children, two living and one dead; Sally D., the wife of R. M. Johnson, lives 
in Hamilton county. Illinois, and has six children; Charles, deceased, was the 
father of three children, one of whom is also deceased; William W.. who 
lives at Vincennes, is a practicing attorney in that citv. 

hi 1876 Mr. Johnson married Henrietta (Williams) Mounts, who died 
two years later, January 22, [878, leaving two suns, fame >s, who 

died in infancy, and Francis Alexis, who lives at Centralia, Illinois. Francis 
A married Margaret Benson, and they have one son. On November ,^. 
1881, Mr. Johnson married Mary Ann Parkhill, the daughter of John and 
Martha (Patterson) Parkhill. She was born in Claysville, Guernsey county, 
Ohio, and to this union four children were horn: Lena, the vvi Bert 

Dodd, who lives in Vincennes, and has one sun. Benjamin Franklin Dodds, 
born December 7, 1906; Dr. Morris H. C, a physician at Vincennes: Benja- 
min Ernest, a telegraph operator, of Floren, California, who married Flor 
ence Towes, and Martin Harrison, of Chicago Heights, who is an empli 
of the United States Steel Corporation at that place. 

Fraternally, Mr. Johnson belongs to the Independent Order 
lows, and has been a life-long member of that fraternity, lie has always 
taken a prominent part in public affairs and has served as a member of the 
Gibson county council for four years, failing of re-election only by a mistake 
in the printing of the ballots. He served as constable for eighi years 
his return from the war. and made a most excellent official in the capacity. 
As a member of the county council he took an active part in all the affairs 
that important body. H been a member of the Grand Army of the 

Republic for mi - ears, and has always keen found a true friend 

of the soldier. He and his wife are loyal me hristian church, 

and have always contributed liberally to the sup that denomination. 

In all his relations with his fellow men he ha himself that he 

has won the esteem and confidence of all with whom he has come in contact. 



J a 2 GIBSON COUNTY, INDIANA. 

THOMAS COYNE. 

The history of every man is an account of what he does, and the life 
history of some men is as interesting as a novel. A novelist could take the 
life history of Thomas Coyne, of Princeton, and around it weave a romance 
which would make a novel of first rank. The incidents in his life, the strug- 
gles through which he has gone and the fine type of character which is illu- 
strated in the man would make a story which would grasp the hearts of its 
readers. His story begins in Ireland, where he was horn March 24, 1846, 
and after thousands and thousands of miles of wandering he is now living at 
Princeton, Indiana, a peaceful, quiet life, surrounded by his family and 
friends and highly respected and honored by everyone in the community. 

Thomas Coyne was born in Ireland, the son of John and Nora ' Welsh) 
Coyne. His father died when he was a small boy and he came with his 
mother and the rest of the family to America when he was thirteen years of 
age and settled in Cincinnati, Ohio, at which place the mother shortly after- 
wards died. The children of Mr. and Mrs. John Coyne were Nora, de- 
ed; Martin, of Manchester, Ohio, who served the government during the 
Civil war and is now a furniture dealer in that place: Anna, of Germantown, 
1 >hio; Mary, of Cincinnati, Ohio, and Thomas, the immediate subject of this 
sketch. 

Thomas Coyne never went to school and what education he has gained 
has been actually picked up in the tramp life which he passed through in his 
experiences in the Civil war and in the regular army afterwards. He is surely 
a self-taught man. As a small boy he ran away from his home in Cincinnati 
and never stopped until he found himself in the camp of the Union soldiers 
in West Virginia in the summer of 1861. One of the officers asked him 
what he wanted to do, and be told him that he wanted to become a soldier. 
Accordingly he was taken into the camp, given food and set to work feeding 
and caring for the army mules. He proved to be a very efficient boy and 
when the army changed camp he was taken along and vent with the army 
from place to place until he reached Washington, D. C. He was then sent 
to Warrington, Virginia, and carried the mail from Culpeper to Siegel's 
division in eastern West Virginia. While on duty he was taken sick and 
had to return to his home in Cincinnati. Just as soon as he recovered he en- 
listed, on December 2. 1862. as a second-class boy in the United States navy 
and served on a boat which did patrol duty on the Mississippi, Ohio, Ten- 
nessee and Cumberland rivers. He was promoted to quartermaster the sum- 



GIBSON COUNTY, INDIANA. 783 

mer he was sixteen years of age and served as long as this boat was on duty, 
being discharged on July i i. [864. From 1864 to 1866 he was in the gov- 
ernment employ at Nashville, Tennessee, as a teamster. On March 8, 1866, 
he enlisted in the United States Regular Army. Company G, Fourth Light 
Artillery, and was stationed at Detroit, Michigan. Alter his enlistment had 
expired he went to Wyandotte, Ohio, and there took employment a 
puddler in the steel works. While here he was married to Mary I lly. 

of Wyandotte, Ohio Owing to the nature of his occupation In fre- 

quent changes during the next few v ears. In 1871 he left Wyandotte, Ohio, 
and went to Cleveland, that state, where he remained for about nine mm 
From here he w< sTiles, Ohio, and in 1872 to Erie, Pennsylvania, and 

the following year returned to Ohio and worked for a time at Ashtabula, 
where his wife died. There were two children by this marriage, Mary, de- 
ed, and James, of Princeton, Indiana. In 1.873 tn e panic came on and 
all of the factories shut down, and for this reason Mr. Coyne could not find 
am work at all. For the next two wars he was merely a wanderer over the 
fare of the earth and traveled thousands of miles, trying to find something to 
do. In 187; he found a position in the stone quarry at Greencastle, In- 
diana, where he worked for about a year, and then, in [876, came to ( >wi 
ville, Indiana, where he found employment in a saw mill. 

Mr. Coyne was married a second time in 1870, to Julia Ellen Nolan, 
of Gallatin county, Illinois, and to this union there have been born four chil- 
dren: Thomas E., who married Mabel Daugherty and is now with the 
Stormburg Electric Company, of Chicago, Illinois; Nina, the wife of Levi 
Welsh, of Decatur. Illinois, who has two children, John .and Mary Ellen; 
John Martin, the third child, is now with Brooks & Company, an audil 

E Chicago. For four years he was traffic manager of the Carson, 
Perrin & Scott Company, of Chicago. He married Man- I.. Gales; Gladys 
Dale, the youngest child, is still under the parental root, and is now a senior 
in the high school at Princeton. The children have all been remarkably suc- 
cessful and relied great honor upon their parents. 

He went from Owensville to Oakland City, Indiana, where he worked 
in a flouring mill for a short time. From Oakland City he went to Prince- 
ton, where he remained for two years. In [889 he went to Kingfisher 
county, Oklahoma, with his family and entered one hundred and sixty acres 
government land on which he lived for six years. However, the crops 
were so poor that he decided to give up his claim and return to this county. 
After disposing of his land and farming implements, he started overland and 



784 GIBSON COUNTY, INDIANA. 

settled for a time in St. Clair county, Illinois. The contrast between the old 
life and conditions in Oklahoma was so marked and so much to the ad- 
vantage of Illinois that he lived in that state for six years. In 1901, how- 
ever, he came back to Princeton with his family and bought his present home 
at 820. North Race street, where he and his family are now living. He is now 
in the employ of the Southern Railway shops at Princeton. 

Air. Coyne is one of the most loyal members of the Grand Army of the 
Republic post at Princeton, Indiana, and always take a very active interest 
in the deliberations and activities of that order. He is also a member of the 
Free and Accepted Masons and a Knight Templar at Princeton. Mr. and 
Mrs. Coyne are members of the First Baptist church at Princeton and are 
both interested in the moral and civic welfare of their community. They 
are fine people in the highest sense of the word and have reared a splendid 
family of children. Today there is no more highly respected citizen in 
1 'rinceton than Thomas Coyne. 



L. J. DEUTSCH. 



Among the earnest men whose enterprise and depth of character have 
gained a prominent place in the community and the respect and confidence of 
his fellow citizens is L. J.. Deutsch, well-known merchant of Oakland City. 
He is a man of decided views and laudable ambitions, and his influence has 
ever been for advancement of his kind and in the vocation to which his ener- 
gies are devoted he ranks among the thriftiest young business men and is 
deserving of the large success which has attended his efforts. 

L. J. Deutsch, well-known merchant and well-known citizen of Oakland 
City, was born near Corydon, Harrison county, Indiana, on February 12, 
1864, the son of Jacob and Magdalen (Louis) Deutsch. Both of these par- 
ents were natives of Alsace, Germany, who came to America in childhood 
with their parents, who located respectively in Kentucky, and Corydon, In- 
diana. The father followed farming during his active years and eventually 
removed from Louisville, Kentucky, to Harrison county, Indiana, where he 
lived until his final removal to Gibson county. In 1881 Albert Deutsch, an 
elder brother, came to Oakland City and engaged in the grocery business. The 
subject of this sketch came here one year later and the balance of the family 
in 1886. The business was begun in a modest way at the corner of Harrison 
and Main streets, and they were prospered in this enterprise, but eventually 
suffered the loss of their entire stock by fire. They then located on Depot 




L. J. DEUTSCH 



GIBSON COUNTY, [NDIANA. 7S5 

.-.(reel, but about eight years ago removed to their present location on Main 
street. Allien and L. J. Deutsch were in business together until, about fourteen 
wars ago, the former sold his business ami located at San Vntonio, H 
where be is now engaged in the lumber business. The father of these sons died 
here about seven years ago, and the mother about two years later. The}- were 
the parents of eight children, of whom six are living, namely: Mrs. Sallie 
I [ouston, of 1 'don, Indiana; Mrs. Emma D. Mauck, of Bentonville, Arkansas; 
Albert, of San Antonio, Texas; Mrs. Man Hurley, of Bentonville, Arkansas; 
L. J., the immediate subject of this sketch, and Mrs. Anna Evans, of Shreve- 
port, Indiana. 

L. J. Deutsch received his education in the public schools at Corydon, 
and practically his entire life has been spent in the grocery business. 1 le first 
worked in a store in New Albany, from whence he came to this locality 111 
1882. Possessed of marked business ability and characterized by sturdy per- 
severance and indomitable industry, his success has been earned by hard work 
and has been honestly merited, tie has been successful in his material af- 
fairs and has other interests aside from his grocery, being a stockholder, 
director and vice-president of the First National Bank, of ( )akland City, and 
a man of definite and recognized influence in local commercial affairs. 

In September, [892, Mr. Deutsch married Elizabeth Martin, of Oakland 
City, this county, the daughter of Jackson and Virginia Martin, and to them 
have been born two children. Magdalen and Robert. 

Politically, Mr. Deutsch is a Democrat, while his religious affiliation is 
with the Presbyterian church. Fraternally, he is a member of the Free and 
Accepted Masons and the Knights of Pythias, ha\ ing attained to the degree ■ 4 
Knight Templar in the first named order, lie is deeply interested in every- 
thing pertaining to the welfare of the community in which he resides and is 
now rendering efficient service as president of the Oakland City school board. 
The store conducted by him is one of the most popular and most extensively 
patronized store- of its kind in this locality, its large success being very largely 
due to the able management and wise business discernment of the subject, 
who is a progressive, alert and careful business man and who has his affairs 
under superb system, his customers always receiving courteous and horn 
treatment. Mr. Deutsch is deserving of greal credit for what he has accom- 
plished, for he is a self-made man in the truest sense of the word and has 
accumulated the competenc) which is bis through bis own unaided efforts. 
Because of his sterling qualities of character and his high standing in the 
community, he occupies an enviable position among bis fellow citizens. 
(5o) 



786 GIBSON COUNTY, INDIANA. 

JAMES A. BLACK. 

The gentleman whose life history the biographer here takes under review 
is one of those strong, sturdy characters who have contributed largely to the 
welfare of the community where he lives, being a business man of more 
than ordinary sagacity and foresight, and as a citizen, public spirited and 
progressive in all that the term implies. He is a native son of the old 
Hoosier state, having been born in Monroe township. Pike county, Indiana, 
on March 27, 1843. He is a son of David and Martha (Coleman) Black, 
the former of whom was a native of Georgia, born in 181 2, and the latter 
born in Crab Orchard, Kentucky. David was a son of William Black and 
came as a small boy with his parents to Indiana, locating in what is now 
Monroe township, Pike county. They were among the first white settlers in 
that vicinity and made their location right in the midst of the primeval 
forest with Indians and wild beasts all about them. Here they commenced 
the arduous task of making" a home, and after years of hard work they con- 
verted that once forest home into well cultivated fields and buildings and 
there they reared their family. William also served in the War of 1812, 
prior to coming to Indiana, and was a man highly respected in those early 
days. William Black and wife were the parents of five children, namely: 
Robert, who lived near Decker Station. Indiana ; William, who went earlv to 
Missouri; John, who became one of the first settlers in southeastern Illinois; 
I )avid, father of the immediate subject of this sketch, and the only daughter. 
Betsy, who was the wife of Richard Barrett and lived at Oakland City and 
later in Center township, Gibson county. 

David Black received his education in the early subscription schools, 
whose advantages were very limited, reading, writing and arithmetic being 
about the only branches taught. He was ambitious to own land in his own 
right and when a young man he obtained a tract of government land in 
Patoka township. Pike count)-, which he cleared and where he made his 
home. The old log cabin he erected is still standing on the place. He ac- 
quired one hundred and twenty acres of good land and always engaged in 
farming. He was an old-line W r hig and was active in the affairs of his party. 
He was also a member of the General Baptist church and did much to further 
the interests of that society in the new territory. He was a man who took 
interest in public affairs and was much locked up to and respected. He died 
on his home farm at the age of seventy-three years and his wife passed away 
at the age of sixty-seven. Thev were the parents of fourteen children, 



GIBSON COUNTY, INDIANA. 787 

namely: Robert and William, both deceased, were engaged in farming in 
Pike county. The former married Malinda Lowe and the latter's wife was 
Marv Ann Davis. Henry died unmarried, and David, who was a farmer in 
Pike county, married Celia Pierson. John, deceased, married a Miss Crowe. 
When but sixteen years of age he enlisted in Company F, Eighteenth Regi- 
ment Indiana Volunteer Infantry, and served throughout the war. After its 
close he engaged in the saw mill business at Wheeling, Indiana. Samuel was 
also a soldier of the Rebellion, a member of Company I, Forty-second Regi- 
ment Indiana Volunteer Infantry. Three months after enlisting, he con- 
tracted measles and died in the hospital at Louisville, Kentucky. He left a 
widow. Alary Jane Coe. Frank, who resided on the old home place, married 
Elizabeth Coe. James Aaron is the immediate subject of this sketch. Re- 
becca became the wife of John 1 >avis, of Pike county: both are dead. Martha 
is the widow of W. M. Christeson and resides in Pike county; Marv Ann, 
deceased, was the wife of M. Chumnry, and Nancy married George Face, 
and both of them are dead. Henry died in Illinois. Rebecca married Con- 
rad Slater, who was killed in the Civil war. 

James A. Black attended the early schools of Pike county and resided 
under the parental roof until the age of nineteen years, when, on August 22, 
1862, at Rockport, Indiana, be enlisted in Company I, Forty-second Regi- 
ment, Indiana Volunteer Infantry, and was sent to Indianapolis to be fitted 
out for service. From there he was sent to Louisville. Kentucky, and from 
there his company marched to join their regiment at Salt River, Kentucky. 
He was on a three days' march from Louisville to Bardstown when he was 
taken down with measles and was sent to Hospital Number Four al 
town. This hospital was e d in an old woolen factor) and during 

his month's illness there he almost died. Before leaving there he was cap- 
tured b\ 1 leneral Morgan, after having suffered from typhoid fever and di 
theria in addition to the original sickness of measles. \t enlistment he had 
weighed one hundred and forty-six pounds and after leaving tin- hospital 
his weight was reduced to eighty pounds. As soon as be was able to be re- 
moved, his brother Frank came and took him home and he was discharged 
for disability in the spring of [863. It tOi l< him fully two years to con- 
valesce and for some time after that he was nol sfron 

In 1867 he was married to Harriet Harkness, of Hardin county, Ken- 
tucky, and to them were born eight children, three of whom. Zada, Annie and 
William, are dead. John L. is in the restaurant business at Oakland City, 
Indiana. His wife was Stella Pipes. Charles, who married F.liza Coleman. 



788 GIBSON COUNTY, INDIANA. 

is a farmer in Pike county; Clarence farms his father's homestead in Pike 
county. His wife was Ella Green. Delia remains at home, and Hettie, 
the fourth child in order of birth, is the wife of William Leinhart, of Patoka 
township, Pike county. 

After his marriage, Mr. Black purchased a forty-acre tract in Monroe 
township. Pike count}-, which was their original home and to this he has 
added from time to time until he now owns two hundred and forty acres of 
finely located land, which he himself has cleared and on which he has made 
all the improvements. He has always engaged in general farming and in 
addition has raised considerable stock, devoting especial attention to regis- 
tered Poland-China hogs. He has also dealt extensively in cattle in addition 
to what he has raised. In 1902 he and three of his sons went to Williams 
count)-, North Dakota, and entered land. Mr. Black disposed of his holdings 
there in 1905 and on his return located in Oakland City, w.here he has since 
resided in retirement from active business. Mr. Black's religious sympathies 
are with the General Baptist church, to which he gives liberally of his means. 
He is a stanch Republican of the old school and also a member of the Grand 
Army of the Republic. Mr. Black has been engaged in hard work all his 
life, has used his brain as well as his hands, and has reaped the reward which 
comes to those who so toil. He is well and widely known, has a large circle 
of friends in both Bike and Gibson counties and is honored and respected by 
all. He has always taken an interest in public affairs and has always been 
quick to array himself 011 the side of right and good for the community at 
large. He served nineteen times as a juror under Judge Welborn. 



ISAAC R. BENNETT. 



B is with a great degree of satisfaction that biographers revert to the 
of those who have made the rough path of life smooth by their untiring 
perseverance, and have attained success in any vocation requiring defmiteness, 
consecutive endeavor and determined action. Such lives, whether they be of 
calm, conservative routine, or of sudden accomplishments, must abound in 
both lesson and incentive and prove a guide to young men whose fortunes 
are yet matters for the future to determine. 

Isaac R. Bennett was born in Morgan county, Illinois, June 6, 1837, the 
mhi oi Isaac R. and Mary (Jones) Bennett, be of Bourbon county, Kentucky, 
and she of North Carolina. The subject's father was one of the pioneers in 



GIBSON cor \ n . \in VNA. 789 

Morgan county, Illinois, where he lived all his life, his death occurring in 
[881, in his eighty-first year. His wife died in 1X1.4, aged fifty-six. He was 
a prominent man in Ins day and had the respect of all who knew him. As 
ear!}- as the year 1X18 1; is recorded that he sat on a jury, probably one of the 
very first juries in his community. He followed fanning and was a justice 
oi the peace for forty years, was an associate judge and a member of the 
Legislature in 1854. Having a close acquaintance with the immortal Abra- 
ham Lincoln, the subject's father took a. -real interest in the political suc- 
cesses of the martyred President. He served all through the Mexican War. 
To Isaac R. Bennett, St., and wife were horn eleven children, namely: John, 
William, Clayburn Jones and Elizabeth are deceased: Jane is living in Mor- 
gan countv. Illinois: Sarah and Mary, twins, are deceased: the subject; Rob- 
ert lives in Morgan count)-, Illinois; Richard and lames K. folk are deceased. 
Isaac R. Bennett, the subject of this review, received the meager edu- 
cation afforded the children of pioneer times in the subscription schools, lie 
and his brother, Clayburn June-, purchased the old home place and lived on 
it until [877, when the subject came to Gibson county, and, March in. 1864, 
was married to Nancy S. Lathom, of Patoka township, torn October jo, 
1843. the daughter of Jonathan and Elenore 1 Brown) Lathom, her father 
born July 9, 1805. in Prince William county, Virginia, and her mother born 
in September, 1804, in Caswell county, North Carolina. Jonathan Lathom 
came to Indiana with his father, William, in 1809, and tin' family entered 
land near Oakland City. Mrs. Lathom's parents arrived in this county in 
1825. and the parents of the subject's wife were married in October, 1827. 
William Lathom had a farm two miles north of Patoka which was originally 
ivered with heavy timber. This was cleared and made inl" a good home 
place. William married Nancy Norman, and both are long since deceased, 
he passing away at his daughter's home north of Princeton, and she mi the 
home place. Their children were: Ollie, killed by the Indians at Vmcennes, 
Indiana: Elenore, Mrs. Bennett's mother; Isephena, the wife of John Har- 
grove, of this county: Elizabeth, the wife of Hudson Brown, of Patoka town- 
ship; Loll\' \nn was first married to a Mr. Hodgpath and then to John Key 
and they lived in Patoka township; Nancy married William Kirk and lived 
rear Hazleton. 

Elenore ( Brown I Lathom was a daughter of James Brown, of Caswell 
county. North Carolina, who came to Gibson county in 1825. and followed 
agriculture in Patoka township. His children were: Millie, who married 
Clark Hargrove and lives near Oakland City: Elenore, Mrs. Bennett's 



790 GIBSON COUNTY, INDIANA. 

mother; Hudson, who lives on the old home place in Patoka township and 
was first married to Elizabeth Lathom and then to Caroline Utter. 

The children of Jonathan and Elenore (Brown) Lathom were: William 
J., born July 17, 1828, married and was a merchant and farmer in Morgan 
county, Illinois. His second wife was Jane Bennett, who lives in Morgan 
county, Illinois, he being deceased; Elizabeth and another daughter died in 
infancy; James Colman, born February 20, 1830, was a farmer in Gibson 
county. He married Julia Davis, of Morgan county, Illinois, and is now de- 
ceased; Jonathan died in his nineteenth year; Isephena, born in December, 
1838, married Barney Morrison and lived in Center township, Gibson county; 
Sarah Ellen, born February 3, 1842, married James Lownsdale and lived 
first in Pike county and later in Center township, GI~son county, both now 
being deceased; Nancy was born October 26, 1844; George Norman, born 
August 21, 1846, married Sallie Welborn, both deceased; Richard N. died at 
the age of seven. 

The subject and wife have been the parents of four children, namely: 
[ [) Alary Elenore was born February 5, 1865, and married John Hitch, a 
merchant of Princeton, this union resulting in the birth of four children: 
Robert, born February 14. 1891 ; George, born October 24, 1892; Bennett, 
born November 7, 1S93. and died in February, 1913; Pauline, deceased; (2) 
Jonathan Lathom was born March 9. 1S07, and is an engineer on the South- 
ern railroad at Princeton. He married Mary J. Sutton and they have had 
three children: Maurice was born July 13, 1888: Mabel was born June 4. 
1890; Mary was born June 21, 1901, and died February 8, 1907. (3) 
Christina X. was born October 9, 1873, and is the wife of J. W. Cunning- 
ham, a farmer, now retired and living in Princeton, who is referred to else- 
where in this work. (4) James Elmer was born July 30, 1878. For years 
he was employed with the Southern railroad, but is now a motorman in Cin- 
cinnati. He married Jennie Robinson. 

Before Mrs. Bennett's father married he carried brick in the construc- 
tion of the old seminary building, receiving tw^enty-five cents a day and 
saving this money with a view of setting married. He followed farming all 
his life and was well known and respected in his community. As a young 
man he entered government land south of Francisco in Center township, and 
erected a log cabin with no door and a stick chimney and fireplace. He took 
a lot of young pigs to raise on the place, but they were carried off by bears. 
He was a member of the General Baptist church and a stanch Republican, 
having served as assessor for nine years. 



GIBSON COUNTY,, [NDIANA. 791 

After their marriage Isaac R. Bennett and his wife first lived in Morgan 
county, Illinois, but in 1877 sold their land there and removed to Patoka 
township, Gibson county, Indiana, where they fanned until August, 191 1. 
A.1 that time they came to Princeton and located at their present residence at 
6] 1 North Hart street, still, however, owning their farm and reining it. 

In his political belief, Mr. Bennett has always given his support to the 
Democratic part), while in religious mailer-, in- i- a member of the Re- 
formed Baptist church. 



)RGE STRAIN. 



George Strain, who. after a long, busy and useful career, is now living 
retired in Fort Branch, was horn at Patoka, Gibson county, Indiana, on 
March 4, 1851, the son of Rev. Thomas M. and Polly (Lagrange) Strain. 
When Thomas M. Strain was hut a lad his father was killed by a tree falling 
on him. The subject's maternal grandfather was Erin Lagrange. Thomas 
M. Strain was reared in Gibson county, remaining on the homestead until at- 
taining mature years. He was reared in the Presbyterian faith, and after 
professing religion he joined the l'.aptist church, of which his wife was a 
member. In that body he was ordained to the ministry, in which he was 
actively engaged for many years, having preached near his home farm and 
at Princeton. In September, [852, he opened a store ai Fori Branch, in 
partnership with his brother-in-law, Charles Harrington, and at the same 
time continued his ministerial duties. lie cleared a place in the grove, con- 
] such scat- a< -ible under the conditions then existing, and 

continued this as a religious meeting place for many years, or until the old 
red school house was built, at which the different denomination- and 

where the Protestant churches of thai section were first started. H 
successful in his mercantile enterprise, and also engaged in the buying and 
of pork, bavin 11 packing house, the products of which he 

?tly shipped to Xew Orleans on flat-boats. The partnership 1 d a 

number of years, when he bought Mr. Harrington's interesl and conducted 

business alone for a number of years. 1 1 dely known as a suc- 

cessful business man. upright citizen, and enjoyed the generous respect and 

.in of his fellow citizens, and was looked up to as an authority, pnssess- 
ing rare judgment and foresight. Tie was a leader in the tiomina 

tion. being a pioneer of the faith in his community, and the early church in 



79-^ GIBSON COUNTY, INDIANA. 

this section is much indebted to his earnest and energetic efforts in its behalf. 
He was a -elf-taught man, and later taught school, and in after years was a 
man of good education and a great Bible student, a convincing speaker and 
able man. Late in life his eyesight failed, and his death occurred in July, 
1906, at the age of eighty-nine years. Of the family of six children born to 
Thomas M. and Polly Strain, George, the immediate subject of this sketch, 
was the youngest. He passed his youthful years in Fort Branch, where he 
graduated from the high school and then engaged in farming", in which he 
continued for several years, or until his health failed, when he came to Fort 
Branch and engaged with his brother in business. Later he bought the latter's 
interest and continued the business until his retirement after twenty-six 
years' steady employment as a merchant, and with fair success. 

On April 14, 1886, he married Mrs. Mary Wingate, of Gibson county, 
the daughter of Amosie D. Pioneer, a man of prominence in the community, 
who served as probate judge for twelve years, and was a justice of the peace 
for many years, being known widely throughout the country as Squire Fos- 
ter. Fie was the owner of a good farm in Patoka township, where he lived 
with his family. Mr. and Mrs. Strain are members of the Baptist church, to 
which they give a liberal support. Fraternally, Mr. Strain is a member of 
the Independent Order of Odd Fellows, being a past grand of his lodge and 
,i delegate to the Grand Lodge. He is also a member of the Tribe of Ben- 
Hur The children born to Thomas M. and Polly Strain are as follows: 
Louisa, the wife of Dr. William R. Genung, who is represented elsewhere in 
this work; Lucinda, the widow of Samuel Sands, of Indianapolis; A. F. and 
Svlvester, who are partners in business at Fort Branch : Andrew J., who died 
in 1900, at the age of fifty-eight years, and George, the immediate subject of 
this sketch. 



JOHN L. BROWN. 



The history of the loyal sons and representative citizens of Gibson county 
would not be complete should the name that heads this review be omitted. 
When the fierce fire of rebellion was raging throughout the Southland, 
threatening to destroy the Union, he responded with patriotic fervor to the 
call for volunteers and in some of the bloodiest battles for which that great 
war was noted proved his loyalty to the government he loved so well. During 
a useful life in the region where he lives he has labored diligently to promote 
the interests of the people, working earnestly and with little regard for his 



c 



- 

o 




'J BSi IN in! .\ i v. INDIANA. 793 

personal advancement or ease. He has been devoted to the public welfare 
and in all of his relations his highest ambitions have been to benefit the com- 
munity and advance its standard of citizenship. 

John L. Brown, the son of David and Elizabeth ("Kindle) Brown, 
was born ( Ictober 2, [844, five miles southwest of Princeton, Indiana. David 
Brown was a native of Harrison county, this state, and was born in 1808. 
Upon reaching the years of his majority he came to Gibson county, where he 
bought a farm for eight dollars per acre. This he cleared of timber and 
drained the swamps and otherwise improved it until, when he was read) 
retire from active farming it was well worth eight) dollars an acre, which his 
son paid him for it. and it is now recognized as one of the best farms in the 
county. Elizabeth Kindle, the first wife of David Brown, was also a native 
Harrison county, and her death occurred when the subject of this -ketch 
was about five \ age. There were six children by this marriage, Will- 

iam K., deceased, wlm married Frances Polk, was a carpenter, and was also 
in the army. He was a minister of the Gospel in California for many years, 
and was the father of one child. James !•'., who married Dices \nu Summers, 
who died in Oklahoma in 1913, leaving a family of seven children, William, 
Perry, Charles, John, Anna, Ollie and one who died at the age of ars; 

Mrs. Eliza Tichenor, deceased : Mrs. Sarah Johnson, d ed; facob A., who 

died at the age of sixteen, and John L., the subject of this review. After the 
death of his first wife in 1849, 1 >avid Brown married Elizabeth Stroud in [852. 
She had four children, Lewis, deceased: Thomas, deceased: Mrs. Mary 
Woods and Mrs. Cassie Williams, deceased. 

John L. Brown spent his early life mi the farm and helped his father clear 
the heavy timber from off the land. When the 1 'ivil war broke out, John was 
only seventeen years of age. hut he was fired with all the enthusiasm of youth 
and longed I" throw his fortunes with the companies which were being re- 
cruited from his county. He did not succeed in vetting enrolled among the 
lirst to leave the county, but in [863 he enlisted in Compan) F, < Ine Hundred 
and Twentieth Regiment Indiana Volunteer infantry, for a period of three 
years. His first service was in southeastern Tennessee and from there he 
followed Sherman through Georgia to Atlanta and thence to the sea. He dis 
played unusual heroism and bravery in many battles in which he took part, 
and fortunately was never wounded with the exception-of being badly bruised 
when a bullet grazed his shoulder. He enlisted as a private, but was pro- 
moted to the rank of a corporal on account of bravery and later was made a 
sergeant and was mustered out as a sergeant in July, [865, at Indianapolis. 



794 GIBsnx COUNTY, INDIANA. 

After being mustered out of the service, Mr. Brown returned to his home 
count}' and worked on his father's farm for several years, at the same time 
saving his money and investing it in land. In the course of a few years he 
had accumulated a farm of two hundred and eighty acres, which is known as 
one of the finest farms in the township, if not in the county. In 1909 he built 
a large, modern barn, having lost his former barn by fire. There is no more 
progressive farmer in the count)- than he, and he makes it a point to keep well 
posted on all the latest agricultural methods. He always buy- the latest im- 
proved farm machinery, and is thereby enabled to get the best results from 
his land. He is one of the most congenial, warm-hearted and best loved men 
in the county, and is known everywhere as a man absolutely square in all his 
business dealings. He has always been a believer in the Golden Rule and 
carries it out in all of his transactions with his fellow men. He can get more 
corn and wheat per acre than any other farmer in the county and is universally 
conceded to have the best success in raising grain. He also keeps live stock 
and has been very successful in raising horses and swine. 

Mr. Brown has been twice married, first to Sarah Jane Clark, on January 
17, 1869, the daughter of Jordan and Rachel (Mounts) Clark. Her father 
was a farmer and a native of this county. Her mother also was a native of 
this county, and both are now deceased. Mr. and Mrs. Clark were the par- 
ents of a large family of children : Eliza, who married George W. Woods, 
and has two children, Carl and Hazel; Mrs. Woods teaches in the district 
schools of the township: Lizzie, the wife of Madison Knowles, a farmer in 
Center township, this county, has one child, Ovilla ; Arthur, who married Belle 
Tichenor, is a farmer near King's Station. Patoka township, and they have 
two children, Eunice and Mildred; Forney, who married Otto Hollis, a stock 
buyer living near Princeton, and they have three children. Barton, Jones and 
Herschell ; Eva, the wife of Harvey McCarthy, a farmer near Princeton, has 
two children, Earl and Paul ; Harvey married Amy Collins, and is now operat- 
ing the homestead farm of eighty acres, and has one child, Melvin; two chil- 
dren who died in infancy. 

On February 20, 1895, John L. Brown married Melissa Clark, the 
daughter of William and Margaret (Stone) Clark. William Clark was a 
native of this county and a General Baptist preacher, and his death occurred 
on November 8, 1899. in Owensville. His wife was also a native of this 
county and died in Owensville in 1905. The second marriage was blessed 
with three children, Zella, who died at the early age of three months; Arvel 
and Darwin, both of whom are still at home with their parents. 



GIBSON COUNTY, INDIANA. 7< H 

Although Mr. Brown has been a lifelong Republican, he has never sought 
any political preferment at the hands of his party. I le takes an intelligent in- 
terest in the great political questions of the day and is able to discuss them 
intelligently. He and his wife have long been members of the White General 
Baptist church, lie has been a member for more than fifty years of this 
denomination and for a number of years was treasurer of the church, but 
resigned on account of his age. He is -till a trustee of the denomination. 
Mr. Brown is one of those progressive, self-made men who are thoroughly in 
harmony with the spirit of the advanced age in which he lives. In all his 
business affairs he has conducted them in such a manner that stamps him as a 
man who has a natural aptitude for successful management. He has not p 
mitted the accumulation of his comfortable competence to affect in any way 
his actions toward those less fortunate than he. being a most sympathetic 
broad-minded man and one who has a host of warm and admiring friends 
throughout the county. 



JOSEPH D. HL'SSEY. 



Among the oldest and most highly respected, families of Gibson county, 
Indiana, is the Hussey family, which came to this count)' in 1821. Richard 
Hussey, the founder of the family bearing his name in Indiana and other 
states in the West, was born in Lebanon counts. .Maine, May 24. 1789, and 

d April 15, 1851. lie was married on October 4. [811, to Alpha Mills, of 
Kennebec count), Maine, her birth occurring on January zj, 1791, and her 

ith on May 29, 1841. This worthy couple reared a large family of thir- 
teen children: Elizabeth M.. born July 9, 1812, died April 27, [878; Julia 
Page, born January 22, [814; Xazhariah, born October 25, 1815; Jai 
Madison, horn June 8, [817, in Kennebec count), Maine; George I!., born 
Ma\ 17. [819, in Washington county, Ohio; Ansel Alexander Hamilton, born 
ember 16, 1821; John Hibbard, born July 2d. 1822, in Gibson county, 
Indiana; Clara, born March 19, 1824; Charles Wellington, born May [8, 
iXj<r, Elizabeth Ann, horn April 11, 1828; Richard Perry, born April 4, 
[830; Martha M.. horn March 24, 1833; Alpha Louisa, horn October 15. 
1835. In 1817 Richard Hussey and wife, with four children, left Kent" 

inty, Maine, and traveled overland to Washington county, Ohio. Here 
he followed the tradi cabinet maker 1 ars and in 1821 the 

lily left Ohio and came to Gibson count)'. Indiana, locating fixe mil 



796 GIBSON COUNTY, INDIANA. 

of Princeton in Center township. Here Richard Hussey and his sons put up 
a cabin and blacksmith shop, ami here the family lived for several years, the 
mother's death occurring on this farm. Mr. Hussey's shop, in which he did 
both iron and wood work, was the center of a large community and the people 
from far and near came to him to have their work done. In this way he 
formed a large acquaintance and probably no man in the count}- was better 
known in his day than Richard Hussey. 

James Madison Hussey, the son of Richard Hussey, and the father of 
the subject of this review, was one of the children who were horn in Maine 
and left that stale when he was an infant. He received the m< Lg< r schooling 
which was afforded in Gibson county in the twenties, and since he was the 
oldest child in the family, he early took up the burden of helping to support 
the family. He remained on the home farm helping his father in his shop 
until he was married: then he rented a part of his father's farm. James M. 
Hussey married Sarah Patterson, of Allegheny City, Pennsylvania, a daugh- 
ter of Robert and Rebecca (Wilson) Patterson. Sarah Patterson had come 
from Pennsylvania to Xenia, Ohio, when a small child with her parents, and 
later came with them to Gibson county, Indiana, where they settled in Center 
township, near the Hussey homestead. There were four of the Patterson 
family: James, who lived in Princeton; Harriett, who married a Mr. Shaw 
and went back to Pennsylvania, where her death occurred: Sarah, the wife 
of lames M. Hussey; and one who died in infancy. To James M. Hussey 
and wife were born eight children: Henry \Y., who lives in Canada and 
married Mary J. Plarbison ; Robert Dale, who married Eliza J. McClellan, 
was in the Civil war and served three years in Company G, One Hundred 
and Twenty-eighth Regiment Indiana Volunteer Infantry. After his death, 
in i8ji, his widow married L. P. Wallon, a druggist at Francisco, Indiana: 
Richard Lewis, whose sketch is given elsewhere in this volume; Franklin C, 
deceased; Ella Maria, the wife of Lon C. Dilday, of Princeton; James M., 
who married Isabelle Ingram, is a farmer in this county: Joseph Devin, the 
immediate subject of this sketch, and Arabella, the widow of Isaac X. Eby, 
mi' Princeton. He was a farmer, and died December 8, 1898, leaving his 
widow and two children. Earl and Allan Dale. 

lames M. Hussev, the father of Joseph D., enlisted in the Civil war in 
Company B, Sixty-fifth Regiment. Indiana Volunteer Infantry, on August 
2, 1862. As first lieutenant he helped to raise two companies. Shortly after 
going to the front he died, and in X T ovember. 1862, his body was brought 
from Henderson, Kentuckv. and buried in the cemeterv near Princeton with 



GIBSON ( OUNTYj INDIAN \. ~'\~ 

all the honors of war. I lis widow In ed at the old home place until her death, 
in 1898. She was of a deeply religious temperament and an earnest worker 
in church circles. She was a consistent ami devoted member of the United 
Presbyterian church for fifty-five years, and a woman who was loved and 
respected by all who knew her. 

Joseph D. Hussey was born in Center township, Gibson county, Indiana. 
August 1. 1859, and received a very limited education in the common schools 
of his home township. He continued to reside 011 the home farm until he 
became of age, when he removed to Francisco and engaged in business in 
that place. Three years later he removed to Princeton, where he continued 
in business until 1910, when he retired. In Kind he bought his splendid home 
on North Seminary street, where he is now living a retired life, surrounded 
by all the comforts and conveniences of modern lite. 

Mr. Hussev was married in [883 to Jemima E. McFetridge, of (.'enter 
township, in this count}-, and she died in August, 1887, leaving one child, 
Sarah Mabel. The daughter married Eugene B. Smith, a wireless operator 
for the United States government at Porto Rico during the Spanish-Ameri- 
can war. and now lives at Belleview. Ohio, where he is engaged in the dairy 
business Air. and Mrs. Smith are the parents of two children. Kalherine 
Elizabeth and Joseph Eugene. Jemima E McFetridge, the first wife of Mr. 
Hussey, was the daughter of Scott and Sarah (Johnson) McFetridge, an 
old family of Gibson county. They came to this countx in [821, before the 
Hussey family. The Johnson family, headed by David Johnson, a soldier 
of the War of 1812 and a hero of the battle of Tippecanoe, came to this 
count}' lie fore 1800. 

.Mr Hussey was married a second time to Mary Roselle Langford, in 
March, [894, and to this marriage was born one daughter, Josephine Madge, 
who is still with her father. The second wife of Mr. Hussey, who died in 
February, toon, was tin- dan-liter of John and Sarah (Young) Langford, 
of Warrick county, Indiana. The Langfords a nglish ancestry, and 

Richard Langford, the grandfather of Mrs. Hussey, was one of tin- earliest 
settlers in the state, arriving in the vicinity of Evansville in [815. 

On April 2, [906, Mr. Hussey married Emma J. 1 Westfall 1 Hochhalter, 
the daughter of George and Jacobena 1 Brigius) Westfall. Her parents were 
both natives of Germany and Mrs. Hussey was born before her parents came 
to this country. She was eleven years of age when her parents came to 
America and settled in Warrick county in this state. Mr. Westfall was a 
blacksmith by trade and at the opening of the Civil war enlisted in the Union 



798 GIBSON COUNTY, INDIANA. 

army and served four years at the front. Emma J. Westfall was married on 
March 30, 1882, to Phillip Hochhalter, a cooper, of Newburg, Warrick 
county. He died February 13, 1891, leaving his widow with one son, Louis 
C Hochhalter, who married Emily Webber. Louis and his wife have one 
son, Harold, and live in Evansville. 



BENJAMIN F. BENSON. 

It is the farmer who makes it possible for men in any other occupation 
to live. Farming was the original occupation of man, and it is the only pro- 
fession which could exist independently of any other. Indeed, every other 
occupation is dependent upon the farmer. The products of the farm have 
made our railroads what they are today, and the great bulk of manufactur- 
ing is made necessary because of the farmer*s needs. The people of the city 
could not live a week without the farmer's products. He holds not only the 
purse strings of the nation, but even the very life itself of the people. For 
this reason the farmer has in reality the most important profession of all. 
Gibson countv has as fine farms and as good farmers as can be found any- 
where in the state, and ami >ng them is the subject of this review. 

Benjamin F. Benson is the son of Sylvester and Nancy (Ewing) Ben- 
son, and was born February 3, 1871, about four miles northwest of Owens- 
ville. His father was a native of this county, being born on his father's 
farm July 10, 1S23. He was a very influential farmer and citizen, and one 
of the most widely known men in the county. He took an active part in Re- 
publican politics and was elected to the office of county commissioner for 
three terms. He was president of the board of county commissioner- at the 
time the first court house in Gibson county was built, and by his integrity 
and devotion to public duty he rendered valuable service at that time. He 
took a great deal of pride in the Benson family history and at one time wrote 
the family history, but unfortunately lost it by fire at the time his residence 
was burned. He is now living with his daughter, Mrs. William Scott. Some 
time ago he suffered a paralytic stroke, which. has rendered him speechless 
and deaf and unable to finish his family history. He was the son of William 
and Margaret Benson, his grandfather being a native of Ireland. The mother 
of the subject of this sketch was a native of Dubois county, Indiana, and died 
March 12, 1898. Mr. and Mrs. Sylvester Benson were the parents of eight 
children: Columbus; James; Benjamin F., the subject of this sketch: John; 



GIBSON COUNTY, INDIANA. 7' X ) 

Luella, who died at the age of three; Luther; Mrs. Margaret Johnson, and 
Mrs. Lillie Scott. 

Benjamin F. Benson was united in marriage on June 17, 1896, to Fannie 
Cleveland, daughter of John and Alary (Polk) Cleveland. Her father was a 
son of George Cleveland, a native of Vanderburg county, this state, where lie 
spent his boyhood days hefore coming to Gibson county, lie has always 
followed the occupation of a fannej and has ninety-six acres of excellent 
farming land near Owensville. He was born in 1844 and died in 1899. His 
wife was also a native of this count}- and died at the home of her son-in-law, 
Benjamin F. Benson, in 1906. Mr. and Mrs. John Cleveland were the par- 
ents ot four children: Roger; Fannie, the wife of the subject of this review; 
Airs. Flossie Lee and Charles. 

Benjamin F. Benson spent his boyhood days on the farm and received 
tlie hot education which the district schools of his locality afforded. He has 
devoted his whole time and energies to his farming interests and now owns 
two hundred and fourteen acres of excellent farming land in this county. 
He keeps well posted on all modern methods of scientific fanning, and in this 
way has become one of the most successful farmers of the county. Tn addi- 
tion to his general farming he has made a specialty of raising live stock for 
the market, and takes a justifiable pride in his dwelling, fine home, barn and 
outbuildings, and has one of the best improved farms in this section of the 
state. 

Mr. and Mrs. Benson have been blessed with six children, three of 
whom died in infancy. There are three sons still at home with their parents, 
Ronald. Burneil and William. It is needless to say that thi are re- 

ceiving every advantage which modern education ran give them, and that 
they will be well prepared to take their places in the affairs of the community 
later on. 

Although Mr. Benson has always affiliated with the Republican pa- 
he has never sought any political orifice, but has been content ; te all of 
his time and energies to the management of his fanning interests. He and 
his wife are both loyal members of the- General Baptisl church and are inter- 
ested in all the activities of that denomination. .Mi m is a deacon in 
the church. He is a man of modest and unassuming disposition, a fine type 
of the reliable, self-made American; a friend to the poor, charitable to the 
faults of his neighbors, ami alw idy to unite with them in evi 1 
work. lie is a man who in every respect merits the high esteem in which he 
is universally held. 



800 GIBSON COUNTY, INDIANA. 

J VMES W. COCKRUM. 

A review of the life of the honored subject of this review must of neces- 
sity be brief and general in its character. To enter fully into the interesting 
details of the career of J. W. Cockrum, touching the struggles of his early 
manhood and the successes of his later years, would far transcend the limits 
of this article. He has filled a large place in the ranks of the public-spirited 
citizens and successful newspaper men of his day, and that he has done his part 
well cannot be gainsaid, for his record has been such as has gained for him the 
commendation and approval of his fellows. His career has been a long, busy 
and useful one and he has contributed much to the material, civic and moral 
advancement of the community, while his admirable qualities of head and 
heart and the straightforward, upright course of his daily life has won for 
hiin the esteem and confidence of the circles in which he has nn >ved. 

James W. Cockrum, president of the J. W. Cockrum Printing Company 
and editor of the Oakland City Journal, is a native son of Gibson county, Indi- 
ana, having been born in Oakland City on August 22, iSdi. Me is the son of 
Col. W. M. and Lucretia (Harper) Cockrum, whose respective families are 
among the oldest and best known in this section of Indiana. W. M. Cockrum 
was born in Oakland City and his wife was a native of Pike county. Indiana. 
James W. Cockrum received his elementary education in the common schools 
and in the Oakland City high school, where he graduated in 1887. He then 
went on the road as a commercial traveler for a school supply concern and, 
being eminently successful in this line, he was induced to organize the Indiana 
School Furnishing Company of Oakland City, which from the start was a 
success and from the demands of this business Air. Cockrum, in 1891, drifted 
into the printing business. In 1893 ne established the Oakland City Journal, 
a weekly newspaper, which met with popular favor from the start, so that one 
year later he changed it to a semi-weekly issue. At that time two other news- 
papers were in the local field, but both have since retired. As editor, Air. 
Cockrum wielded a forceful and trenchant pen, having that genuine instinct 
for news which characterizes successful newspaper men. The J. W. Cock- 
rum Printing Company, which is incorporated, is well equipped, and makes a 
specialty of commercial and bank printing, catering particularly to the latter 
trade and doing an extensive business all over the United States. Mr. Cock- 
rum has given his special attention to this work and is numbered among the 
successful editors and publishers of southwestern Indiana. He has long been 
a forceful and influential factor in this locality, not only in business, but also 




JAMKS \V. COCKRUM. 



GIBSON COUNTY, INDIANA. 8oi 

In public and civic life, and is numbered among the distinctively representative 
men of this section of the state. 

Politically, an ardent Republican, Mi i rum has long been numbered 
mg the leaders of his party in Indiana, and has achieved distinctive red 
nition because of his ability and activity. lie was appointed by Governor 
Durbin a member of the Louisiana Exposition commission from the first dis- 
trict, which handled an appropriation of one hundred and fifty thousand dol- 
lars for the purpose of giving Indiana proper representation at the World's 
Fair. I le was chosen secretary of the commission and had supervision of the 
detail work in connection with the Indiana exhibit. In [904 Mr. Cockrum 
3 elected secretary of the National Editorial Association of the United 
States, serving four years, and rendering efficient service while acting in the 
interest of the association. He has also served as president and secretary at 
different times of the Indiana Republican Editorial Association and as presi- 
dent and secretary of the Southern Indiana Press Association. 

Fraternally, Mr. Cockrum has long been active in the inl of Free- 

masonry, having taken all of the degrees of the York Rite, including that of 
Knight Templar, and thirty-two degt the Scottish Rite, being a mem- 

ber of the consistory at Indianapolis. He is aNo a meml I ladi Temple 

the Mystic Shrine at Evansville. In the Knights of Pythias, Mr. Cockrum 
has achieved distinctive honors, having been past chancellor of Chevalier 
Lodge and has been a member of the grand 1 Indiana f< >r twelve years, 

serving on important committees during this period. Religiously, he is a 
member of the ( leneral Baptist church, to which he gives earn. iort. 

On September 24, 1891, Mr. Cockrum was married to Kgnes Pritchett, 
who was horn at Fori Branch, Gibson county, but who at the time of her mar- 
riage was living at Carmi, Illinois. She was the daughti lisha L. and 
Martha E. Pritchett. To this union have been born two daughters, Dorothy 
I >ale and om ed. The Cockrum residence in Oakland City i the 
finest and most artistic homes in the community and here the spirit of true and 

fashioned hospitality is always in 1 the home being a favorite 

gathi ' or the many friends of the family. 

[n such a man as Mr. Cockrum there i- special s ;i i 1 in offering 

in their life records justification foi issuing ndium such 

as the one in hand, not necessarily that th of men of his type has been 

h as to gain them wide reputation or the plaudits of men. but that they have 

been true to the trusts reposed in them and shov n such attributes of character 

(51) 



802 GIBSON COUNTY, INDIANA. 

as entitle them to the regard of all and have been useful in their respective 
careers of action, at the same time winning the confidence and good will of 
all with whom thev have come in contact. 



ALFRED PRITCHETT. 



No other county in Indiana furnished braver men for the Civil War 
than did Gibson county. This state sent over two hundred thousand men to 
the front during that memorable conflict and Gibson county contributed its 
quota without any difficulty, meeting every call of Governor Morton with a 
promptness which bespoke well for the patriotic zeal of her sons. They left 
their homes to save their country and hundreds of them sacrificed their lives 
that the Stars and Stripes might continue to wave over a united nation. We 
cannot forget that they fought a brave light for human liberty, and that they 
deserve all the praise which can be given them. They are last answering the 
la>i roll call, and within a few years we can only honor their memory. It 
seems eminently fitting in this volume to set forth the lives of these gallant 
veterans who are still living. Among the brave boys in blue who enlisted 
from Gibson county there is none who is more worthy of an honored place 
in this volume than the subject of this sketch. 

Alfred Pritchett, one of the best beloved citizens of this county, was 
born three miles southeast of Owensville, July 14, 1841, the son of Elisha 
and Elizabeth (Rutledge) Pritchett. Elisha was a native of Kentucky, and 
came to this county with his parents when a young man. his father having 
entered land in this county when it was all heavily timbered and generally 
swampy. He followed the occupation of a farmer all his life and died in this 
county in 1853. His wife. Elizabeth Rutledge. to whom he was married in 
1821, was a native of Tennessee, coming to this county with an elder 
brother when she was eight years of age, her parents having died when she 
was four years of age. A few years later she and her brother made the 
trip on horseback to this county in 181 1. Her death occurred November 11. 
[897, at a ripe old age. Her mother died at the age of ninety-one years, 
leaving a family of ten children, all of whom are living but two. To Mr. and 
Mrs. Elisha Pritchett were born twelve children: John, deceased; Absalom, 
deceased: William II.. deceased: James J.; Mrs. Serelda Richards: Pressley, 
deceased; Mrs. Polly 1. West: Charles, deceased; Mrs. Eliza Adams; Alfred, 



8S0N COUNTY, INDIANA. 803 

the immediate subjecl of this sketch; Mrs. Elizabeth Witherspoon and Mrs. 
Sarah Mounts. 

Alfred Pritchett has spent all of his life in this county with the excep- 
tion of three years' service in the Civil War. I te received the best education 
which the district schools of thai daj afforded, and has always been inter- 
ested in the intellectual welfare of his community. When the news of the 
fall of Fort Sumter was flashed throughout the country, he was filled with 
the same patriotic fervor which fired the hearts of hundreds and thousands 
of other young men of the North. When a company was being organized in 
the fall of [862 in his counts, he enlisted in Company C as a private on 
September [3th, his company being in the Forty-second Regiment, Indiana 
Volunteer Infantry. The first captain of his company was Captain French, 
who was succeeded later during the war by Captain Frank Emery. His first 
service was in Tennessee, and he later followed Sherman from Chattanooga 
down through die Georgia 1 n to Savannah, taking part in all the en- 

gagements in that state; from Savannah his company was with Sherman on 
his northward march through the Carolinas and was present at the time 
General Johnson surrendered to General Sherman, in May. 1865. in North 
Carolina. During the last three months he was detailed as one of an escort 
to General Davis and served in several minor engagements under his com- 
mand. Although lie was present ami took part in many severe e :nts 
during his service, he was fortunate in escaping without being wounded and 
came out at the end of his service with his health unimpaired However, in 
later years lie ha le blind, hut ; s hearing this terrible affliction with great 
fortitude and courage. 

After being mustered out at Indianapolis, in July, [865, he returned to 
his home in Gibson county. IK- v. a- first married, in 1S07, to Katherine 
Summers, daughter of Richey Summers. Her death occurred in [871, leav- 
ing two children. Aubrey, who is now deceased, and .Mrs. Anna Alcorn. 

Simeon Alcorn, the husband of Anna (Pritchett) Alcorn, was born 
November 23, 1803, three miles easl of Owensville, th< on of Elisha and 
Mary ( Martini Alcorn. Elisha Alcorn was a native of Vanderburg county, 
this state, and earlv in life was left an*orphan and was reared hv his grand- 
mother Marvel, spending hi- boyh 1 days with ln's grandparents. IK' came 

to this county at the age of twenty-one years and settled on a farm about 
two mile- southeast of Fori Branch, later selling this farm and buying a tract 
of land near McGrary Station, lie continued the occupation of a farmer 
throughout his life, his death occurring in [901. Hi- wife. Mary Martin. 



804 GIBSON COUNTY, INDIANA. 

was also a native of Vanderburg county and her death occurred in 1910. 
To these parents were born eight children: Orphia, deceased; Mrs. Francis 
Elizabeth Sides; Sarah, deceased; Thomas M. ; Simeon; Mrs. Lucinda Sides; 
Mrs. Tilda Ellen Peacock and Mrs. "Alary Alice Gibson. Simeon Alcorn was 
married October 6, 1887, to Anna Louisa Pritchett, daughter of the subject 
of this sketch, and is one of the substantial, progressive farmers of the town- 
ship, having two hundred and thirteen acres of well-improved land under a 
high state of cultivation. Mr. and Mrs. Alcorn are the parents of one child, 
Zella, who is the wife of Walter Simmons, a farmer of this township. Mr. 
and Mrs. Alcorn are both members of the Methodist Episcopal church and 
he is a trustee and steward of that denomination, and both of them take an 
active part in church work. 

Alfred Pritchett was married the second time to Fannie Yeager, on 
July 28, 1875. She was a daughter of Nicholas and Julina ( Roberts) Yea- 
ger. Mr. Yeager was a native of this county, his parents being Daniel and 
Charity (Smith) Yeager, who were pioneers of the county. Nicholas Yea- 
ger kept a store in Owensville with his brother-in-law, William Crawford, 
for many years, but later purchased a farm east of ( hvensville, which he con- 
tinued to operate until his death, which occurred February 22, 1802. His 
wife was also a native of this county, her birth occurring December 6, 1828, 
four miles north of Owensville. She was a daughter of Thomas Robert^. 
Mr. and Mrs. Yeager were married April 9, 1848, and were the parents of 
seven children, William H., Mrs. Fannie Pritchett, Franklin, deceased, Mrs. 
Sarah Ellen Emmerson, Mrs. Cordelia Pritchett. who died in Arkansas in 
1912 : Daniel H., who died at the early age of two years, and ( ieorge B. To 
Mr. Pritchett's second union were born two children, Eva, deceased, and 
Lester, who married Nellie Stone. Lester is a promising young farmer of 
this county. 

Although Mr. Pritchett has lived the allotted three score and ten, he is 
still active and is managing his well-improved farm of one hundred and sixty 
acres. Pie has been a follower of the best agricultural methods and keeps 
well posted on the newest ideas in scientific farming. Mr. and Mrs. Prit- 
chett exemplify their Christianity in their every-day life and despite the fact 
that he has lost his sight, he continues to be cheerful, bearing bis affliction 
with that fortitude which characterizes the true Christian believer. No more 
conscientious man ever lived in the county than Mr. Pritchett, and in all his 
business transactions he has so conducted them that he has won the respect 
and admiration of all with whom he has come in contact. All honor to this 



GIBSON COUNTY, INDIANA. S05 

gallant old veteran, who now, in the twilighl of his long and useful career, is 
patiently waiting the final roll call. 

He has been a life-long member of the Blythe ( hapel, Methodist Episco- 
pal church, and still takes a very active part in church affairs. For many 
years he has been the class leader and his inspirational talks have been of 
untold value to the members of the church. His life has been a shining light 
to all the community, and no one can view his career without seeing that he 
is one of God's noblemen. 



JAMES AELEN SMITH. 

Among the successful, self-made men of Gibson county, whose efforts 
and influence have contributed to the material upbuilding of the community, 
James Allen Smith occupies a conspicuous place. Being ambitious from the 
first, but surrounded with none too favorable environment, his early years 
were not especially promising, but resolutely facing the future, he gradually 
surmounted the difficulties in his way, and in the course of time he has risen 
to a prominent position in the agricultural circles of his community. In doing 
this he has won the confidence and esteem of those with win mi he has come 
in contact, either in a business or social way, and for years has stood as one 
of the representative citizens of the locality honored by his citizenship. His 
life and labors are worthy, because they have contributed to a proper under- 
standing of life and its problems. The strongest characters in our national 
history have conic from the ranks of the self-made men, to whom adversity 
acts as an impetus for unfaltering effort, ami from this class ha- come the sub- 
ject of this review. He ha- no! permitted himself to follow the rut in a blind 
way, but has studied ami experimented in various agricultural methods, and 
■has thus secured the beet return- from enterprising effort. Ili< life ha- been 
such as to elicit just praise from those who know Inn: wing to the fact 

that he has always been loyal to the trust imposed upon him and has been 
upright in his dealings with his fellow men, at the same time lending his sup- 
port to the advancement of any cause for the welfare of the community. 

James Allen Smith, one of the most prominent farmer- in Gibson 
county, was born September 1 _•. tortheast of Owensville. His 

parents were John Martin and Elizabeth lane (Stone) Smith. John M. was 
a native of Adair county, Kentucky, his birth having occurred in that place 
on September 30, 1S27. and was a son ol David and Kliza Smith. Hi- father 
emigrated from Kentucky to this state and settled in Gibson county on a 



8( H GIBSON COUNTY, INDIANA. 

farm, on which he lived until his death, which occurred at the age of eighty- 
one. John M. Smith was married three times. His first marriage was to 
Elizabeth Jane Stone, October 28, 1847. an< l to 'his union were born six 
children: James A., the immediate subject of this sketch; Nancy Jane, who 
married D. B. Montgomery, a farmer of Union township; Martha Alice, who 
was the wife of < leorge Mangrum, died on September 12, 1872; Milton Bird, 
who died at the age of fourteen; Henry Wilson married Matilda Mauck, and 
Willis Clinton, who married Martha Spore. John M. Smith's second mar- 
riage was to Mar} Elizabeth Haren. December 18, 1870, and she died June 
5, 1897. ' o this union there were born two children, Elnora, who died in in- 
fancy, and Iva Minda, the wife of Noble Douglas. Mr. Smith's third mar- 
riage was to Margaret Erwin, March 29, 1898. Mr. Smith's death occurred 
in Owensville on February 23, tyoS. leaving his widow, who is still living at 
Princeton in this county. He continued in the active management of his 
farm until he was seventy years of age, when he retired and moved to 
< hvensville. He was always very much interested in the church activities of 
the Cumberland Presbyterian church, and was an elder in that church many 
years before his death. 

■ James Allen Smith spent his boyhood days on the homestead farm, 
doing all the ordinary work which falls to the lot of the farmer's boy. He 
attended the common schools of his neighborhood and also the high school at 
Owensville. He then taught school in the township for four years before his 
marriage. After his marriage, on March 23, 1877, to Lydia Mauck, the 
daughter of Samuel and Kliza (Yeager) Mauck, he purchased the farm 
which he still owns. His wife's father, Samuel Mauck, was a native of this 
onnty and followed the occupation of a farmer until his death, October 10, 
1896. His wife, Eliza Yeager, was also a native of this county and died in 
i860. Mr. and Mrs. Mauck were the parents of five children: Maria, de- 
ceased; Miranda, who married James A. Jones, now deceased; Lydia, wife 
of the subject of this sketch ; Henry and Thompson. 

Mr. Smith has one hundred and sixty acres of excellent farming land, 
practically all of which is under cultivation at the present time. His farm 
is well stocked with up-to-date farming implements, and has been brought 
by his careful management to a high state of cultivation. He has never had 
any aspirations in a political line, although he has always taken an active 
interest in the principles of the Prohibitionist party. Some years ago he was 
township trustee for one year and filled this position to the entire satisfaction 
of the township. He has been uniformly successful in all his business trans- 



Gl BSON COT NTY, INDIANA. 807 

actions and is now one of the directors of the Firsl National Bank oi Owen 
ville. 

Mr. ami Mrs. Smith arc the parents of five children: Flora Letha. who 
married George Clark, a tanner near King's Station, in this ennnty. and has 
two children. Gerald and Johnny Pauline, both ol whom are still under the 
parental roof; Eliza Orela, who married Charles Dorsey, a hardware mer- 
chant of Poseyville, Indiana, has one daughter, Helen, who is at home with 
her parents; Hovt Obra married Jessie Shannon and lives in Akron, Ohio, 
where he is employed as a sales manager; Lewis Roy, who died at the age of 
twenty, and Milton Byrd, who lives at home with his parents. 

Mr. Smith and his wife are earnest and devoted members of the Cum- 
berland Presbyterian church at Owensville, and Mr. Smith has been an elder 
in this church for several years, lie has come into his present position by 
hard work and the exercise of honest business methods. His tireless energy 
and stead)' determination have won for him the unqualified confidence and 
esteem of all who know him. 



HENRY MOWRER. 



There arc several hundred different occupations at the present time, hut 
there is only one of all this number that i^ absolutely necessary to man's exist- 
ence. The three things without which man cannot live arc food, clothing and 
shelter, and it is the farmer who not onl) controls the food supply, but also 
holds the clothing products of the world in ins hands. Mis is the only occu- 
pation which can exist independently of all others. An increasing number of 
our best farming men arc tal ing agricultural course- in college, thereby fitting 
themselves the better for scientific farming. The profession has taken on 
increased dignity within the past few years and more and more of our young 
men are applying themselves to scientific farming. The farmer of today 
has the immense advantage of working with machinery which renders his 
work free from mam •>>' its former disadvantages. Gibson count) has hun- 
dreds of splendid farmers and among them the subject of this sketch holds a 
worth)" place. 

Henry Mowrer, tin- second of four children born to Robert and Caroline 
I V. ini Mowrer, was born March _•-?. [865, on tin- Joe Heston farm, ab 
four miles from Princeton, this county. Robert Mowrer was a native of 



8o8 GIBSON COUNTY, INDIANA. 

this county, his birth having occurred on December 25, 1832, near Owens- 
ville. He followed agricultural pursuits all his life, the last nine years of 
which were spent in Illinois, where his death occurred December 12, 1878. 
His wife was also a native of this county and died there January 21, 1879. 
Mr. and Mrs. Robert Mowrer were the parents of four children: James T., 
who married Lizzie Teel, is an engineer at Macon, Georgia, and has two 
children, Hazel and Erwin ; Nettie, who married Vinton Newell, an engineer 
of Macon, Georgia; Lucinda, the wife of George Land, lives in San Diego, 
California, and has three children, Henrietta, Marvin and Marion. 

Henry Mowrer was united in marriage on August 7, 1890, to Ida Spore, 
the daughter of Julius and Mary | Clark) Spore. Her father was a native of 
this county, his birth having occurred on December 25, 1834, five miles north 
of Owensville. He continued active operations on his farm until about 
fifteen years before his death, which occurred on November 25, 1910, at 
Owensville. His wife was also a native of this county and died in Owens- 
ville, February 17. 1909. To them were born three children: Mary, the wife 
of Joseph Nettleton, a farmer living near Fort Branch, Indiana: Martha, the 
wife <if \Y. C. Smith, a farmer living near Princeton, has three chil- 
dren, Velva, Nola and Blanche; Ida, the wife of the subject of this review. 

Mr. and Mrs. Henry Mowrer are the parents of eight children, all of 
whom are still under the parental roof: Carrie, Jessie, Vesper Julius, Doyl, 
Nora, Marie, Harold Robert and Gertrude Fern. 

Henry Mowrer spent his boyhood days on the home farm, his parents 
living in this state until he was four years of age, at which time they moved 
to Illinois, where they both died. He continued to reside in Illinois for some 
years and then returned to Gibson county, where he has since 'remained. After 
his marriage, in 1890, he farmed the Spore farm for fifteen years, and then 
purchased the John M. Smith farm of eighty acres, where he now lives. He 
carries on a general system of fanning and also raises considerable stock. 
Of late years he has been engaged in the dairy business and has been very 
successful along that line. He has one of the largest and best equipped barns 
and machine sheds in the township and has improved his farm until it is one 
of the best farms in the locality. Within the last few years he has used more 
than eleven hundred rods of woven wire fencing and put in an extensive 
system of drainage. He is known throughout the community as one of the 
most progressive and wide-awake farmers of the county. He has always 
been a hard worker and tireless energy has not been without its rewards in 
his case. 



BSON COUNTY, INDIANA. 809 

Although he is a Democrat in politics, he has never sought any political 
office, being satisfied to devote all of his time and attention to his farming 
interests. Fraternally, he is a member of the Modern Woodmen of America, 
and religiously, is a loyal and earnest member and trustee of the Cumberland 
Presbyterian church. His wife is a member of the General Baptist church, 
and both contribute liberally of their means to the support of their respective 
churches. The chief characteristics of Mr. Mowrer are his tireless energy, 
honesty of purpose and motive and every-day common sense, which has 
enabled him not only to advance his own interests, but also largely contribute 
to the moral and material advancement of the community honored by his 
residence. 



TOHN W. TURNAGE. 



It will always be a mark of distinction to have served in the Federal 
arm}- during the great Civil War between the states. The old soldier will 
receive attention no matter where he goes if he will but make himself known, 
particularly if he puts on the old faded uniform. And when he passes away, 
which he will soon do, friends will pay him suitable .eulogy for the sacrifices 
he made a half century ago on the battlefield or in the no less dreaded hospital. 
And ever afterward his descendants will revere his memory and take pride in 
recounting his services for his country in the hour of peril. The gentleman 
whose name initiates this paragraph is one of the ..Id soldiers who went forth 
to light to save the Union. 

John W. Turnage was born March q, 1S40, in Shawneetown, Illinois, 
the son of Gardner and Julia Ann (Odam) Turnage. Gardner Turnage, the 
father. v,.i 1 native of VTemphi ind the mother of i irg, 

Kentucky, he dying in iN|o and his wife in [848. The) were the parents 
..f two children, the subject, and James W. James \Y. died in [897. IN' 
was a stationary engineer and lived in Washington, Daviess county. Indiana. 
He married Celia Ann Linder, who is also deceased, ami they had one child. 
May, who married James Senile, a contractor at Indianapolis. 

The subject of this review went to live with his grandmother Odam as a 

and had no chance to go to school. At the age of ten he went to live 
with an uncle. Willis Odam. at Covington. Fountain county, Indiana, and 
was with him until he reached his seventeenth year, when he went to work 
for himself in the woolen mill-, continuing at this until i860. He then went 



8lO GIBSON COUNTY, INDIANA. 

to Haubstadt, Gibson county, and enlisted in the army on July 8, 1861. be- 
coming a member of Company K. Twenty-fourth Indiana Volunteer In- 
fantry, being mustered into the service of the Union army July 31, 1861. His 
regiment was sent to Jefferson City, .Missouri, then to Springfield, and finally 
to Autville, where they wintered. In the spring of 1862 the regiment of 
which the subject was a member took part in the battle at Fort Donelson, 
were then at Fort Henry. Crump's Landing, and in the second day's battle 
at Shiloh. Marching to Gravel Ridge, they remained at that point for some 
time, and were then marched to Memphis, later going from there by boat to 
Helena, Arkansas, and up the Arkansas river and then up White river, en- 
gaging in the battles of Duval's Bluff and Arkansas Post. They were then 
ordered to Helena, crossed the Black river and returned to Helena, where 
they wintered. In the spring of 1862, on April 16, they were in the fighting 
around Vicksburg, and were almost continually engaged until July 4. 1863, 
being in the battles of Champion's 1 [ill, Black River and Vicksburg, and going 
to Jackson, Tennessee, were in a second battle there, marching back to Vicks- 
burg. By boat they proceeded to Port Hudson, Louisiana, and after a two 
days' stop, went on to New Orleans. After participating in the battle in 
Tash county, about eighty miles west of New Orleans, they returned to the 
Crescent City and spent the following winter. In the spring of 1864 they 
took part in the Red river campaign, then coming up the river to Alexandria, 
Mississippi, they built a dam across Red river to bar out gunboats and troop 
transports. They were then engaged in several skirmi-he- along the Red 
river and Old river and returned to New Orleans. Joining his regiment at 
Baton Rouge, the subject's enlistment expired July 31. 1864, and he started 
for home, coming by boat to Cairo, Illinois, and then proceeding to Indian- 
apolis to be paid. 

After having thus honorably and faithfully served his country, Mr. 
Turnage again took up the pursuits of private life. April 9, 1865, he was 
united in marriage to Anna Vail, of Hamilton county. Ohio, near Cincinnati, 
the daughter of James and Lydia Ann ( Layton) Vail, both natives of Ham- 
ilton county, Indiana, where they were reared and married. The father of the 
subject's wife was a shoemaker by trade and in 1856 or 1857 went to Shelby- 
ville, Illinois, where he worked at his trade and engaged in farming until his 
death, in 1870. His wife died December 10. 1842. and he was married a 
second time, his second wife being Sarah Marklin, of Ohio, who parsed away 
in 1868. By his first marriage, Mrs. Turnage's father had four children: 
Peter, deceased, a Tanner at Shelbyville. Illinois; Charles, deceased, a farmer 



I .1 BSl IN COUN IV. INDIANA. 8l I 

in Hamilton county, Ohio; Frank, deceased, a fanner in Effiingham county, 
Illinois; the subject's wife. To his second marriage were born nine children, 
namely: Arthur I... who was born September 29, [851, died young; Lunetta, 
born August 17, [854, and living in Illinois; Adalesea, born November 29, 
1857, died young; Alonzo, born September [6, [859, also died in his infancy; 
Florence, born June 6, [862; Oscar, horn .May 18, 1864. married Sophia 
Pfohl and is a barber in Princeton; Geneva, horn December 7. [866, married 
a Mr. Griffith, of Allendale, Illinois ; Walter 1.. is a barber by trade, and is in 
Chicago, Illinois; Estella D., born May 31, [872, is living in Illinois. 

In [864 Mr. Turnage went to Shelbyville, Illinois, and was employed 
in the woolen mill of the Hall Manufacturing Company until 1807, from 
there going to Haubstadt, Gibson county, and subsequently installed ma- 
chinery in woolen mills at Evansville and New Harmony, afterward remov- 
ing to King's Station, where he was engineer in the mill of A. j. Woods, 
then going to Fort Branch and installing an eight-run mill for Downey, 
Foster & Lewis, which he ran for several years. The subject later enga 
in the implement business in Fort Branch with X. Beil & Company for three 
years, and then came to Princeton, where be was in the same line, forming 
the partnership of Riggs tS: Turnage, this firm existing for two years, and on 
the dissolution of the partnership Mr. Turnage, for a brief period, was with 
Martin Meyers in the same business. Selling out his interests, tin 
took employment with the McCormick Harvester Company as a traveling 
representative, which he followed for three years, having the territory of 
Gibson and Pike counties and a part of Warrick county. In 1901 Mr. Turn- 
age resigned bis position ami took employment with the Russell Company, 
selling threshing machinery until [909, he being general agent in charge of 
fifty-two counties in this state and Illinois. Since tgog the subject's health 
has been poor, and he has lived in retirement. 

To the subjecl and wife have been born eight children, namely: Emma 
Bell married Alfred Sutton, of Princeton, a butcher and fanner, and they 
have one son, Willis: Mittie married W. S. Swisher. In- 

dianapolis; Anna is at home and has been with the Princeton Democrat 
f or the last W. is a railway fireman at Prince 

I,„] id married Ada Wright; Tena married Charles Davis, of Mt. 

Carmel, Illinois, a conductor on the Big Four railroad, and they have three 
children. Edna, Anna Bell and Geraldine; 1 G., of Princeton, is an elec- 
tric machinist at the mines, and married Ella Miller: John died February 



8 I 2 GIBSON COUNTY, INDIANA. 

15, 1909; Frank, machinist, married Marcus St. Clair, of Hoxie, Arkansas, 
and they have two children, John and Mildred. 

\lr. Turnage is an honored member of the Grand Army of the Re- 
public, having been a charter member of Archer Post No. 28 at Princeton, 
while, fraternally, he is a loyal member of the Independent Order of Odd 
Fellows. The subject is a strong believer in the principles of the Demo- 
cratic party, while his affiliation in religious matters is with the Christian 
church. 



ALBERT SCHUMACHER. 

No profession has made greater advancement during the last half cen- 
tury than has the agricultural profession, and practically all of the dis- 
advantages which surrounded the pioneer farmer have been done away 
with because of the multitude of modern inventions which tend to lighten 
the farmer's labors. It takes less labor now to operate a farm of fifty acres 
than it did to operate a farm of ten acres fifty years ago, and inventions 
are coming into use every year which are helping the farmer to increase 
his sphere of usefulness. Indiana is recognized as one of the best farming 
states in the Union and no county in this state has better or more progres- 
sive farmers than has Gibson county. Among the hundreds of farmers who 
have made this county famous as an agricultural section, there is no one 
more worthy of a place in a biographical volume of this character than 
Albert Schumacher, the subject of this review . 

Albert Schumacher, the son of Joseph and Anna 1 Bawel) Schumacher, 
was born November 6, 1863, in Lynnville, Warrick county, Indiana. His 
father was a native of Germany and came to America when he was a young 
man about twenty-four years of age and settled in Warrick count}-. After 
winking at farm labor in the locality in which he settled he married Anna 
Bawel in November, i860, who had come with her parents to Warrick 
count)- when she was sixteen years of age. They were also natives of the 
fatherland. Joseph Schumacher then bought a farm near Lynnville in War- 
rick county and continued the operation of it more than fifty years, only re- 
centlv moving to Lynnville. He served through the Civil war in Company E, 
Twenty-sixth Regiment Indiana Volunteers, and is still active and in good 
health at the age of eighty-one years. By frugal and thrifty habits he suc- 
ceeded in acquiring about two hundred acres of well improved land, which 



GIBSON COl \ rv. INDIAN \. 813 

his son now operates. His wife, the mother of the subject of this sketch, 
was born May 2, 1833, and died in Warrick county, in 1882. Mr, and Mrs. 
Joseph Schumacher were the parents of seven children: George, who died 
at the age of forty-three years: Albert, the immediate subjeel of this sketch; 
Amelia, born December 31, 1866, and died April 10. [89 ' rles, August, 
Otto and Hugo, the last two named being twins. Amelia married John Gie- 
selman, a farmer of Warrick county, and three children were born to c 
before her death, Adolph, Theodore and Walter: Charles married Helen 
Roth, and lives in Missouri, and has four children: August married Emma 
Clusmeyer, and lives in the southeastern part of Texas, where he is follow- 
ing the occupation of a farmer, and is the father of four children: Otto M. 
is a farmer in Kansas, and has two children. Joseph and \ianc; Hugo mar- 
ried Carrie Stunkle, and lives in Warrick county, this state, on a farm, and 
is the father of two children, Albert and Norman. After the death of his 
first wife in 1882, Joseph Schumacher married Pauline Jeide, in May, 1883, 
a native of Posey county, this slate, and to this union were horn seven chil- 
dren: Mary, Jacob, Freda, Elmer, Ida and two who died in infancy. Mary 
married John Schmidt, and lives in this county on a farm: Jacob married 
Lillie Nordhorn, lives on his father's farm and has two sons. Richard and 
!. eland: Freda lives at Evansville, Indiana; Elmer makes his home with his 
brother, Jacob, on the old homestead farm: Ida is living with her father in 
Lynnville. 

Uberl Schumacher was married November 14, r886, to Man Bluemle, 
daughter of Lewis and Eliza schei I Bluemle. Her father was born 

in Germany on August 30, [834, and came 1,0 America when he was about 
twenty-one years of age, settling in 1 unty, this state, where he worl 

urn until he was married. His wife was also a native of Germany, 
born November 9, 183d. and is still living with her daughter at Anderson, 
iana, Mr. Bluemle died October 7, 1877. Mr - and ^' r< - Bluemle reared 
a family of six children. Albert, who died in infancy: Mary, the wife of 
Albert Schumacher. Mr<. Rosa Bawel, who died April ri, 1892; Lewis, 
Christina and Ubert. ! ewis marrii and lives in Wider- 

Indiana, and has three children, Doyle, Arnold and Orville: Christina mar- 
ried Lytle Corder, and also lives in Anderson, and is the mother of four 
children. Fornia, Errna, Harold and Louweir: Albert married Mice Fischer 
and lives in Rochester, Indiana, and is the father of two children, Verna and 
Donald. 

Wbert Schumacher spent his boyhood days on the farm near Lynnville, 



8l4 GIBSON COUNTY, INDIANA. 

Indiana, receiving his elementary education in the district schools of his 
township. He worked on his father's farm until his marriage and about two 
years afterward. He then moved to a farm near Xew Harmony, Indiana, 
where he remained for a year and a half, and then moved to a farm 
near Cynthiana, this county, where he remained for a year. His next move 
was to a four-hundred-acre farm near Owensville, where he still lives. He 
owns one hundred acres of land himself, on which his son-in-law, Otto 
Kiefer, lives. Mr. and Mrs. Schumacher are the parents of two children, 
Adelia. born in 1887, who is still at home, and Xora, the wife of Otto Kiefer, 
wlin has "lit' M,n, Desmond. 

Fraternally, Mr. Schumacher is a loyal and earnest member of the Tribe 
Owensville, and politically, has always been an adherent <>\ 
the Republican party, and ! as been very active in its councils in his county 
ami locality, but has never been a seeker for any political office. His religious 
affiliations arc with the Methodist Episcopal church of Lynnville, and he 
c< retributes liberally to the support of that denomination. 

Mr Schumacher is a man of well rounded character, sincere, devoted 
and loyal to his friends, and he has all those qualities of head and heart which 
endear him to the confidence and esteem of all. 



ARTHUR BROWN WOODS. 

Among the men of sterling worth and strength of character who have 
made an impress on the life of the locality in which they live, no one has 
achieved a larger meed of popular respect than the gentleman whose name 
appears at the head of this review. His lifelong residence in one locality has 
given the people an opportunitv to know him in every phase of his char- 
acter, and that he has been true to life in its every phase is manifest by the 
esteem and regard in which he is held by all those who know him. He has 
gained his success by his own honest endeavor and indomitable energy, and 
has placed himself in the front rank of the farmers of his community, by 
exercising these excellent qualities. He has outstripped less active plodders 
on the highway of life and has achieved a marked success in agricultural 
affairs and has won for himself a name which all men who know him delight 
to honor, owing to his upright life and habits of thrift. 

Arthur Brown Woods, who is a son of Sidney M. and Seralda J. 
(Keathley) Woods, was born October 28, 1869, five miles west of Princeton 



GIBSON COUNTY, INDIANA. 815 

on the old homestead farm. The Woods family are represented specifically 
elsewhere in this volume. Arthur B. Woods spent his boyhood days on his 
father's farm, enj \ the best education which the district schools of his 

time afforded. When he was a young boy his father died ami shortly after- 
wards his oldest brother also died, and this caused Arthur B. to take the 
responsibility of caring for the family upon his own shoulders. It is to his 
credit that he was equal to the emergency, and successfully managed the farm 
for some years. He was married ( )ctober r6, [895, to Julia Thompson, the 
daughter of Francis Marion and Susanna (Fravel) Thompson. To Mr. and 
Mrs. Arthur P>. Woods have been born six children. Darwin, Sidney, 
Frieda, Marjorie and Eugenia. After his marriage Mr. Woods purchased 
the old Smith farm of one hundred and ten acres, on which he still resides, 
and which he has brought to a high state of cultivation. Later he added an 
additional ten acres, making a total of one hundred and twenl of 

fine farming land, lie engages in general farming and also raises consider- 
able live stock, in which he has been very successful. He keep- abreast of the 
latest improvements in farming machinery and equipmenl and recently built 
a two-hundred dollar silo, and made other improvements to the value of a 
thousand dollar- on In, place. IK- ha- remodeled the old residence which 
was on the farm when he bought it. and now has a mosl attractive and up- 
to-date farm in every respect, well fenced, well drained and by a scientific 
system of crop rotation he keep- hi- ground in good productive condition. 

Fraternally, lie is a member of the Modem Woodmen of America, be- 
longing to the lodge at Owensville. Although he ha- been a life-long Demo- 
crat he ha- never taken a very active interest in the deliberations of his partv. 
He has newer asked for am public office, hut ha- been contenl to devote his 
time and energy to the building up of hi- agricultural interests, lie and his 
wife are both loyal and earnest members of the Methodisl Episcopal church 
at ( hvensville. and he act- a- one of the trustee- of the church. 

Mr. Woods is a man of pleasing disposition, genial personality and easily 
makes friends wherever he goes. He always looks on the bright side of life 
and is very charitable to the faults of his neighbors. In hi- business nan- 
actions he is strictly honest and upright and exercises all those qualities which 
make for good citizenship. \t the outsel of his career Mr. W 1- recog- 
nized the fact that perseverance and honest effort furnished the only royal 
road to prosperity and independence and began to work earnestly and dili- 
gently to advance himself, using these excellent qualities a- guide-, with the 
result that he is now numbered among the progressive and successful farmers 
of Gibson countv. 



8l6 GIBSON COUNTY, INDIANA. 

GEORGE WASHINGTON SMITH. 

An enumeration of the representative citizens of Gibson county, Indiana, 
would be incomplete without specific mention of the well known and popular 
gentleman whose name introduces this sketch. A member of one of the old 
and highly esteemed families of the county, and for many years a public- 
spirited man of affairs, he has stamped his individuality upon the community 
and added luster to the honorable name which he bears, having always been 
scrupulously honest in all his relations with his fellow men and leaving no 
stone unturned whereby he might benefit his own condition as well as that 
of his neighbors and friends, consequently lie long ago won the favor of a 
great number of people of Montgomery township, where he maintains his 
home in Owensville. 

George Washington Smith is a native of the "Sucker"' state, born in 
Logan county, Illinois, June 22, TS59, the son of Warrick and Margaret 
1 Simpson ) Smith. Warrick Smith was a native of Gibson county, born in 
Owensville, September 23. 1 83 1 , being the third child and only son of Dr. 
Willis J. Smith, one of the pioneer physicians of Gibson county. Doctor 
Smith was born about 1800 at Dam ilk-. Kentucky, the son of parents in good 
circumstances. He was an extremely well educated man, a man of broad 
ideas which placed him in advance of his day and age. He received his 
medical training at the Louisville Medical College and came to Gibson county 
early in his married life. He was a man highly honored by all who knew him 
and his practice extended over a wide area. He made his home about two 
miles west of Owensville on what is now known as the Paden farm, and his 
practice extended from Princeton to Xew Harmony. He spent a great deal 
of time in the saddle, as was the custom of early physicians, and in taking his 
lonely way through unbroken spaces he met and made friends with the In- 
dians and by his honorable treatment of them won their sincere regard. To 
them he was the great ''medicine man," and as such was honored and revered. 
His promising and useful life was early closed, his death occurring August 
17. 1835. Before coming to Indiana, Dr. Willis J. Smith was united in mar- 
riage with Patsy C. Warrick, a daughter of Capt. Jacob Warrick. She was 
born on June 3. 1809, near Lexington. Kentucky. Captain Warrick was 
prominent in the early military affairs of the state of Indiana, and his record 
appears in that chapter in this work devoted to military affairs. At the battle 
of Tippecanoe he received his mortal wound and before his death occurred 




GEORGE \V. SMITH. 



GIBSON COUNTY, INDIANA. SlJ 

bequeathed his possessions to various heirs, a portion of which vvenl to his 
daughter, Pats) C, wife oJ Dr. Willis I. Smith. The wife of (apt. Jacob 
Warrick was lane Montgomery, who was born in Virginia in 1774 and in 
Gibson county married Jacob Warrick in 1 7« > 5 . 

Warrick Smith, father of the immediate subjeel of this -ketch, was 
united in marriage to Margarel M. Simpson in February, [856, and they at 
i mce took up their residence near Atlanta. Logan county, Illinois. They 
resided "it a farm, which lie operated, and he also conducted a livery and sales 
stable in the town of Atlanta, remaining there for twi rs, at the end of 

which time he returned to his native Montgomery township. Here, in i v 
he purchased the John C. Simpson farm, where his wii ited 

directly north of Owensville. John C. Simpson and his wife. Margaret 
1 Stewart), were the parents of Mrs. Warrick Smith, lie came to Gibson 
county in the early forties and took up residence near Owensville, where he 
lived to a ripe old age, spending his ver) lasl days in the town of ' Iwenj ille. 
Warrick Smith was a man who prominent in the affairs of the com- 

munity, after taking up his residence on the Simpson farm, and lived there 
until hi- death, in June. [902. 1M- wife'- death occurred January -'4. 1895. 
They were consistent members of the General P.aptist church and took great 
interest in the progress of that society's affairs. His fraternal affiliation was 
with the time-honored order of Freemasonry and he gave much of his tin* 
the inten the Democratic party. While not a seeker after office for 

himself, he wielded a definite influence for others. In the sp ; he 

laid out and platted Smith'- addition to the town idding a 

decided improvement in the affairs of that thriving town. Four children were 
born to Air. and Mrs. Warrick Smith, one of whom died in earl) infancy. 
Those growing to maturity are W.. the immediate subject of du- 

sk-etch; John Willis, farmer and bank director, residing north of Owensville, 
and Lillie, the only daughter, wife of Charles Murnahan, of ( )v 

George Washington Smith was nine years old when his parents returned 
to Gibson county from Logan county, Illinois, and ha- lived in the vicinity 
of Owensville ever since, both owning and renting land in various pla 
Mi- education was received in the schools of his native county and he remained 
at home until his marriage, March 27, 1 Mina Montgomery, who was 

born near Owensville, a daughter of Benjamin F. and Hannah (Sharpe) 
Montgomery. Benjamin F. Montgomery was born south of Owensville, the 
son of Samuel and Cynthia Ann (Griggsby) Montgomi muel Mont- 



8l8 GIBSON COUNTY, INDIANA. 

gomery was a son of Hugh Montgomery, Sr., and was called "Blind Sam," 
owing to an affliction of weak eyes, and to distinguish him from others of the 
same name in the community. Samuel Montgomery was an excellent gun- 
smith and several specimens of his work are still to be found near Owens- 
ville. Benjamin F. Montgomery, father of Mrs. George W. Smith, is con- 
sidered a quite versatile man, having the ability to handle many different 
lines of work with equal ease and facility. He has long been considered a 
resident of Owensville, and for the past twenty years has lived at the various 
homes of his children. His wife, who died March 3, 1874, was Hannah 
Sharpe, daughter of Harrison and Amaretta (Decker) Sharpe, and was born 
and raised near Yincennes, Indiana. 

( ieorge Washington Smith holds membership in several fraternal bodies, 
among them being the Free and Accepted Masons, the Tribe of Ben-Hur, 
Modern Woodmen of America and others. He and his wife are both mem- 
bers of the Order of the Eastern Star and take an active interest in the affairs 
of the General Baptist church, of which both are members. Mr. Smith has 
always been a stanch Democrat and is considered one of the foremost men 
of his party in the township. He was at one time appointed a county com- 
missioner to fill a vacancy occurring and was himself a candidate for the 
office at the next election. He met defeat with his ticket, but succeeded in 
cutting down the nominal majority of the opposition to within a few votes 
of election. In 1898 he was elected a county commissioner and in the year 
1900 was elected trustee of Montgomery township, serving four years. In 
1908 he received the nomination for recorder of Gibson county, but was 
defeated, the election going to the opposition. He has recently been elected 
a member of the Owensville town board. When in office, he has been most 
conscientious in the discharge of the duties pertaining thereunto, often neglect- 
ing his own private affairs that public ends might not suffer. 

Mr. and Mrs. Smith are the parents of eight children, namely: Lyle 
Warrick, born October 31. 1892; Chauncey M.. born May 6, 1804: Willis F., 
born February 29. 1896; Heber W., born February 9, [898; Margaret, born 
April 10, igoo; Madeline, born February 18, 1002. died February 24, 1904; 
Mona A., born July 5, 190ft, and Norman B., born May 2;, 1908. ^Ir. Smith 
is considered a broad-minded man. full of spirit and a leader in those matters 
relating to the advancement of his fellow men. He is a man of decided con- 
victions on public questions, maintains his stand with resolute firmness and 
has made his usefulness felt in the various trusts with which he has been hon- 
ored from time to time. In every sphere of endeavor in which he has taken a 



ISON COUNTY, INDIANA. 819 

part, his unpretending bearing and strict integrity have elevated him in the 
confidence of his fellow citizens and his influence is always powerful and 
salutary in the community. 



WILLIAM L. WOODS. 

The gentleman to a brief review of whose life and characteristics the 
reader's attention is herewith directed was among the favorably known and 
representative citizens of (iibson count}-. By his indomitable enterprise and 
progressive methods he contributed in a material way to the advancement of 
his locality and during the course of an honorable career was fairly suc- 
cessful in his business enterprises, having been a man of energy, sound judg- 
ment and honesty of purpose, and is thus well deserving of mention in this 
volume. 

William L. Woods, a native of Gibson county, was born five miles south- 
west of Princeton on section 21, Patoka township, 011 September 13, 1820, 
and passed his entire life of sevent) six years on this one farm, having lived 
in three different houses in the same yard. This old homestead in the town- 
ship of Patoka was first owned by Joseph Woods, father of William L., who 
came to Gibson county, Indiana, from Tennessee in 1820. lie secured gov- 
ernment land in section 21, Patoka township, which he converted 
from wild land into cultivated acres ami well fruited orchards. In addition 
general farming', he raised stock extensively, and was a successful, well- 
known and highly respected man. lie and his wife, who was Elizabeth 
Hanna, died on this place To them were born six children, namely: Pat- 
rick N., a farmer in Pai nship; Polly, deceased, wdio was the wifi 
Silas Stone, of < >wensville; William 1... the immediate subject of this sketch; 
Andrew Jackson; Jane, who married John Hudelson and Abraham. 

William L. Woods attended school in the little old log school house of 
early pioneer days, I om an open fireplace and where the children sat 

on crude and uncomfortable puncheon seats, ilis scl ling was necessarily 

limited and at an early age he b< I his father around the farm and 

in the course of time came into the mana of the home place, lie was 

a very successful farmer and in addition to that lini a great 

deal of attention to the different phases of the cattle business | |,- bought 
and sold cattle and other stock, paying special attention to the raising of 



820 GIBSON C<)1 XIV. INDIANA. 

Shorthorn cattle, long woo! and Cotswold sheep; he also had a fine strain of 
Poland China hogs and a splendid class of general purpose horses. His 
activity in live stock naturally made him interested in the Gibson I ounty Agri- 
cultural Society and fair, especially in his particular line. He was one of the 
directors and leading men of the fair association. His life was Amanda C. 
Man-rum, whom he married on the 14th of October, 1852, and she is still 
living west of 'Princeton at the age of eighty-two years. William L. Woods 
died on January 10, 1897. in the seventy-seventh year of his age. 

Amanda C. Mangrum was the daughter of William and Alary C. 
( Douglass ) Mangrum, and was horn May 12, 183 1. William Mangrum was 
born in North Carolina on January 8, 1792, and died on March 26, 1841. 
His marriage to Mary C. Douglass resulted in the birth of thirteen children. 
a typical pioneer family. The children were as follows: Alcephas W.. 
horn February 5, 1 8 1 3 : Olivia J., born November 22, 1814, died at the age of 
ninety-two years; Narcissa, born September 10. 1816; Trafton, born June 
18, 1818; Spencer, born October 13. 1820; Valentine S.. born December 28, 
1822, died at the age of eighty-five years; William E., born December 31, 
1824; John N., born January 13, [827; Henry J., born March 4. [829, died 
October 19, 1904; Amanda C, born March 12. 1831 ; Mary E., born Septem- 
ber 28, 1833; Lvdia E., born September 18, [835, now Mrs. John Selby, of 
near Petersburg, Indiana, and Mileta E., July 22. [838. 

William Mangrum was one of the first men to enter the county of Gib- 
son. He first settled in what was known as the Froggery settlement. The 
land was wild and uncultivated, and after securing a tract from the govern- 
ment he set to work to clear a space for a home and his crops. Mr. Mangrum 
did a great deal of freighting in the earl) days and also ran a peddler wa 
for some time. At another time he occupied the unique position as driver 
of the overland stage between Evansville and Vincennes. Fie was a popular 
man in his day and was well liked. Both he and his wife died on the old 
home place. Mr. Mangrum was a member of the old Liberty church of the 
Christian denomination. Politically, he was an old-line Whig 

William and Amanda C. Woods reared a family of seven children, as 
follows: Harriett Ann. wife of John McCarty, living west of Fort Branch. 
Indiana; lane, wife of Joseph Emerson, of near Owensville, Indiana: John 
Fremont, a farmer on the old homestead, whose wife was Fssie Cushman; 
Martha, deceased wife of Thomas Emerson, a farmer of Montgomery town- 
ship; Olevia, widow of Joseph McCarty, who resides at McCaw Summit: 



BSON COUNTY, INDIANA. 8-M 

ivis, who died September u. 1872, at the age of six years, ten months and 
seven days, and ( S& irge W. 

It is appropriate at this juncture to say something of Joseph Mc( art \ , 
whose widow now lives at McCaw Summit. Joseph McCart) was born in 
Patoka township, this county, on Februar) _^. [862, ami was the son of Ja< 
ami Nancy ( \\ McCarty, which parents were from Bloomingl 

Monroe county, [ndiana. To these latter parents were born the follov 
children who grew to maturity: John, who married Harriett Ann VV01 
and now lives west of Fort Branch, where he keeps a well-stocked imj 
store; William, who is deceased; Joseph; Belle, who married James Adkins, 
of McCaw Summit; Vmanda, who married first Charles »n. and later 

1. n . ! i Backley. Joseph McCarty attended the distrid schools and later 
the schools at Vincennes, and then took up farming in Patoka township, later, 

m ; iil' on the Woods and Dunlap plai 1 16 b hi a farm at 

McCaw Summit. In 19 tiilt a home at this place, lie was associated 

with Oscar Clark for many years in the implement business, the firm being 
known as (lark & McCarty. He was a member of the agricultural board 
for nineteen years. Mr. McCarty \ :mber of the Baptist church, and 

was a vi ig Prohibitionist. His death occurred on June 3, [913. He 

had married Olevia Woods, on December 1. 1SN1. and two children were 
born to this union, Harvey A. married Eva Brown and 1- the father of two 
children, Earl Brown and Paul 1. anion; Virgil lives at home with his mother. 
Mr. McCarty took an active interest in many business and civic enterprises 
during his life, at one time bein nl of the American N'ational Hank 

Princeton. During this time he was also interested in the White Church 
cemetery to a greal extent. 

George W. Woods, the son of William L. Woods, was horn on April 
[2, 1868, at the family homestead, i township, this county, and was 

educated in the distrid schools of Gibson county, also spending om year at 
the high school at Owensville, Indiana. On September 4. [889, he was 
united in marriage to Eliza E. Brown, of Patoka township, a daughter of 
fohn L. Brown, a farmer To their union have been horn two children, 

ely ; t ail 1... who was educated in the home schools, was a salesman for 
several years, and is now employed at the Princeton postofrke. and tazel I)., 
who remains at home, and is a teacher in Patoka township schools. 

From the time of his marriage until [898 Mr. W Is was engaged in 

farming and then went into the harness and implement business at Princetpn. 



822 GIBSON COUNTY, INDIANA. 

For six years he continued in this business, when he disposed of it and entered 
the livery trade. 

Mr. Woods' political sympathies have always been with the Republican 
party, in whose affairs he has ever taken a quiet interest. His fraternal 
affiliations are with the Independent Order of Odd Fellows, the Modern 
\\ oodmen of America, the Tribe of Ben-Hur and the Knights and Ladies of 
Honor, being connected with these societies through the local organizations 
at Princeton. He is also a consistent member of the Methodist Episcopal 
church, to which he gives a liberal support. 

Altogether, Mr. Woods has led a well rounded and complete life, meas- 
uring up to the high standard of manhood in all relations of life and is well 
deserving of the high esteem in which he is held in the community. 



VIVIAN H. EMMERSON. 

The farmer is the bulwark of the nation and investigation has shown 
that a majority of our best business men in the cities were raised on the 
farm. George Washington was a farmer and was proud of the fact. Abra- 
ham Lincoln was raised on a farm in Spencer county, Indiana. Probably 
the most popular Democratic governor this state ever had was "Blue Jeans" 
Williams, who prided himself on being nothing but a farmer. The Repub- 
lican party never had a better governor than that plain and unostentatious 
farmer. Tames A. Mount. Verily the farmer is the bulwark of the nation 
and the salt of the earth. Among the farmers of this county none is more 
progressive than Vivian Emmerson, the subject of this brief review. He has 
hooted in all the I le of agricultural details, which 

arc the necessary concomitants of the best farmers. Careful and conserva- 
tive in his business methods and affairs, he is nevertheless sufficiently pro- 
gressive to make him keep apace with twentieth-century ideas and methods of 
agriculture. For these reasons it is eminently fitting that he find a worthy 
place in this volume. 

Vivian Emmerson, the son of Thomas and Ella (Montgomery ) Emmer- 
son, was born October 20. 1881, on a farm three and one-half miles east of 
Owensville, this county. Plis father was also a native of this county, and 
lived on the farm practically all of his life, with the exception of the last 
few vears. in which he engaged in the hardware business in Owensville. He 



GIBSON COUNTY, INDIANA. . 823 

moved from the farm to Owensville in 1S90, where he conducted a hardware 
store until his death in 1898. lie served as county commissioner of Gibson 
county for two terms, but died before the expiration of his second term. 
I [e was well liked by everyone and did full justice to his important office by 
square dealing and honest methods, ilis wife was also a native of Gib- 
son county and died in [896. Mr. and .Mrs. Thomas Emmerson were the 
parents of three children, Vivian H.. the immediate subject of this sketch; 
\ irgil, deceased in 189] ; Verlie, who married Mi 1 irmer in this 

county, having land adjoining that of the subject; .Air. and Mrs. Jones have 

child, Lloyd, who is still at home. 

\ ivian H. Emmerson was reared on his father's farm and lived the life 
of the ordinary farmer's boy, attending school in the winter seasons and 
working on his father's farm during the summer months. After attending 
the ( Iwensville high school he started to take the mechanical engineering 
rse at Purdue University, but after continuing two terms he returned to 
the farm and engaged in the hardware business which he followed for about 
six years. In 1907, he closed out this business and returned to the home 
farm, where he has continued to reside until the present time. 

Mr. Emmerson was married March 6, T903, to Amanda Linenberger, 
the daughter of Frederick and Paula Ann 1 Bass) Lit er. Her father 

was a native of Germany, but came to America while yet a young man with 
his parents. Me has been a farmer, but is now living retired in (.iwensville. 
Mrs. Linenberger is a native of Barton township, this count}", and is still liv- 
ing. They were the parents of six children: William, who lives at Johnson 
Station; Mrs. Mary Dyball, of Owensville: Amanda, the wife of the 
Sin d anil Minnie, who are living with the subject of this sketch. 

Mr. and Mrs. Vivian Emmerson have one son. Raymond, and are now- 
living on the farm, enjoying all the pleasures of agricultural life. They 
have a fine home, well furnished and attract! -urn barn and outbuil 

ings, and most up-to-date farms in the township. Mr. Emmerson 

is an enthusiastic M eing a m< iimcil am 

mandery of that order. Although he is a Republican in politics, he has never 
asked for any political office at the hands of his pan 

• all his time and en 1 his farming interests, lie is a ; 

farmer in every sense of the word, and is makiu ntific study of agri- 

cultural methods. While primarily attending to his own interests, he has 
neglected his duty to his fellow man. hut has been untiring in his efforts 
to inspire proper respect for law and order, and is ready at all times to assist 
humanity along civic and social lines. 



S_'4 GIBSON COUNTY, INDIANA. 

THOMAS A. WALTERS. 

All honor sin mid be accorded the brave "boys in blue" who. when the 
ominous clouds of rebellion gathered over our national horizon, sacrificed the 
pleasures of home, business opportunities and all that makes life happy, and 
went forth to "do and die," if need be, on the fields of carnage in the South, 
thus saving a great and united country to succeeding generations. The sub- 
ject of this biography is one of that loyal host, and, incidentally, one of the 
most highly honored citizens of Fort Branch, Gibson county, Indiana, where 
he has spent a long and successful career. 

Thomas A. Walters was born January _'-. 1847, in the eastern pari of 
Fort Branch. Gibson county, the son of Reuben T. and Susan (Smyth) "Wal- 
ters, the former born September 20, 1820, near where the Methodist Episcopal 
church now stands in Fort Branch, and the latter born in county Monahan, 
Ireland, the daughter of Thomas D. Smyth, who settled on a farm near Fort 
i '.ranch at an early date, reared a large family and died at the age of sixty- 
four. A brother of the subject's mother, Jeremiah, the eldest son of Thomas 
D. Smyth, was an officer in a crack English regiment, the family being fol- 
lowers of King William, the hero of the battle of the Boyne in 1690. The 
trouble between the Orangemen and Catholics becoming very acute, the whole 
family moved to America, with the exception of a daughter who was married 
in the Emerald Isle, and later emigrated to Toronto, Canada. The Smyth 
family settled near Fort Branch. The youngest son had a successful career as 
a physicianand after retiring from practice died in Princeton, Indiana. The 
other children located near Evansville, Indiana, except William, the second 
son, who remained mi the home farm. The Smyths were people of promi- 
nence in their day and were highly respected in their communities. William 
Smyth, a brother of the subject's maternal grandfather, amassed a fortune 
and an international fame as a linen manufacturer in Ireland. 

The subject's paternal grandfather was Alvin Walters, of New Jersey, 
who was a fisherman, in which vocation he lost his life in a very tragic manner 
in about 1813 or 1814. He and two companions and two boys went out in a 
fishing smack, which .encountered rough water and was upset, all being 
drowned with the exception of one of the boys, who was the subject's father, 
he saving himself by clinging to the upturned bottom of the boat. Alvin Wal- 
ters swam to the shore, a distance of about three miles, but was so exhausted 
on reaching land that he could not extricate himself from the tangled seaweed 




TIIUM \S \. WALTERS. 



BSON COUNTY, INDIANA. 825 

and perished. In the meantime his wife had become anxious and went to the 
shore, where she found his lifeless body. The mother had come to Indiana in 
search of land in i ing accompanied by her brother-in-law, I iioch 

Walters, and while at Fort Branch gave birth to the subject's father, return- 
ing shortl) to New York, where she remained until after her husband's death, 
when she returned to Indiana, in aboul 1833. . The subject's father had been 
fortunate in securing an exc< in New York, he having attended 

the schools there u]) tn ti thirteen, and after the family was located in 

Indiana and the mother had again married, he resumed his studies, finishing 
his education in the old seminary in Princeton at the age of twenty. He then 
worked on his step father's farm for about six years and was then married. 
March [3, [846, the parents of his wife dying on that same date and leaving 
her an orphan. The father of the subjecl and his bride moved on to th< 

of Fort Branch where Thomas A. was born, they soon purchasing a 
brother's interest in the place and continuing its cultivation until [880, when 
the father retired and made his home in Fort Branch, where he died April 21, 
[895, his wife having passed away April 22, 1891. Reuben T. Walter- was 
a man of the highest character and intelligence, a strong supporter of the 
Methodist Episcopal church, and, although man} times urged by his friet 
ti> accept public office, steadil) refused. To himself and wife were born eight 
children, namely: Thomas A., the subject; Mercy I. died Augusl 17. [901 ; 
Sally L. married Calvin Binkly, of Clay Center. Kansas; Susan is the wife of 
I!. F. Shannon and lives a half mile north of Fort Branch; James I), lives in. 
Austin, Minnesota; Richard S. lives in Fort Branch; William died in infancy; 
Fanny M. L. died January _>;. [891. 

T. A. Walters, the subject of this review, received a good elementary 
education in the common schools of Evansville and Fort Branch. On Decern 
ber [4, [863, he enlisted in Company B, Tenth Indiana Cavalry, One Hundred 
Twenty-fifth Regiment, Col. Thomas M. Pace commanding the regiment ami 
(apt. Thomas G. Williamson the company. The subject was mustered in at 
Vmcennes December 14. 1863, and, with his comrades, was senl to < iolumbus, 
Indiana, where the regiment was organized, and on the 2is1 of May they wi 
dispatched to Louisville, Kentucky, from there to Nashville, Tennessee, and 
then to Pulaski, Tennessee, which vicinity the) spenl the summer, having 
numerous engagements at different points in that section with General 
Wheeler's forces. In the fall of that year (November, [864) the regiment 
was returned to Nashville and took part in the battle of Nashville, on Decem- 
ber 14. 15. [6 and 17. [864. A portion of tin- regiment full. .wed after the 



826 GIBSON COUNTY, INDIANA. 

retreating General Hood, while the remainder were sent to Nashville and 
placed on board ship for Mobile, Alabama, the subject being with the latter 
body. From New Orleans they immediately continued on to Mobile, the other 
part of the regiment having joined them on the way, and arrived in the 
Crescent City about May 12, 1865. Remaining there a few days, they were 
sent back to Mobile, and after the fall of the forts they started through 
Alabama and Mississippi, expecting to join General Wilson. They had al- 
ready taken Selma and detachments were in pursuit of Jefferson Davis, so they 
proceeded to Montgomery, thence to Kosciusko and then to Vicksburg, where 
they were mustered out August 30, 1865. 

Mr. Walters, being honorably discharged September 7. 1865, at Indian- 
apolis, he returned to the old homestead, and, at the insistence of his father, 
attended two terms of school, his parent wishing him to become a physician, 
but the subject was not inclined toward that profession. For a time he en- 
gaged in various occupations, spending two years in the hardware business in 
Minnesota. In 1876 he was selected as a deputy sheriff and served two years. 
In 1894 occurred his election to the office of recorder of Gibson county, in 
which responsible position he was an efficient and popular public servant for 
four years, refusing a second term. 

The subject of this brief review was married < Ictober 30. 1805. to Anna 
E. West, of Newburg, Indiana, the daughter of Henry C. and Phoebe E. 
(Genung) West. Phoebe West was a sister of Dr. William R. Genung, of 
Fort Branch, and her father, who died in 1872, was a veteran of the Civil 
war, he having been a member of Company E. Twenty-fifth Indiana Volun- 

tnfantry, and having been wounded at Pittsburg Landing. 

Mr. Walters is a m. rrand Army of the Republic, Stephen 

.Meade Post No. 187. while his fraternal affiliations are with the Independent 
Order of Odd Fellows, of which he has been an appreciative member for 
forty-five years, and the Tribe of Ben-Hur and the Knights of Pythias, He 
has always taken an active interest in politics, being prominent in the councils 
of the Republican party. Mrs. Walters is a member of the Methodist Episi 
pal church. 

In the real estate and insurance business conducted by the subject a large 
measure of success has been his. At the present time Mr. Walters represents 
twelve of the leading insurance companies of the country and is handling the 
bulk of the business in that line in his community. For many years he has 
been a notary public and he also enjoys a large patronage from attorneys and 
others needing his services in a notarial capacity. 



GIBSON COUNTY, INDIANA. 827 

SAMUEL V, THOMPSON. 

1 lie office of biography is not to give voice to a man's modest estimate 
of himself and his accomplishments, but rather 1 upon the record the 

verdict establishing his character by the consensus of opinion on the part of 
his neighbors, friends and fellow citizens. The life of the honorable subject 
of this sketch lias been such as to elicit just praise from those who know him 
best, owing to the fact thai he has always b& l to trusts imposed upon 

him and has been upright in his dealings u ith his fellow men, at the same time 
lending his support to the advan of any cause looking to the welfare 

iiis community. 
Samuel B, Thompson, the son of Francis Marion and Susannah Eliza- 
beth (Fravel) Thompson, was horn March 12, 1875, three and one-half miles 
north of Owensville. The gene. the Thompson family is found else- 

where in this volume in the sketch of 1 rancis Thompson, father of the subject 
of this sketch. 

. inuel B. Thompson spent his boyhood days on his father's farm, and 
after taking the course in the common schools of his home county, he gradu- 

1 from the Owensville high school. After this he spent one year in the 
old Normal College at Princeton, Indiana. Upon his marriage he bought his 
present farm of one hundred and nineteen acres from his father, and has 
improved it with that discriminating judgment which stamps him as one of 
the most progressive farmers of the township. He has a fine residence, com- 
modious barns and other outbuildings, and his farm is well fenced and 
drained. He takes a very active interest in all the movements which have for 
their end the improvement of fanning, and has acted as chairman of the 
Farmers' Institute of his county, lie believes that the corn sh tests 

which have been held in the county are productive at good, this 

reason is an enthusia >ster for them. He keeps himself well in 

on the latest methods ntific farming and is always n ■ advan- 

tage of anything which will m and bring tter results. 

Although he is an ardent Democrat, he has ne ,dit anv polil 

office, being content to ricultural intere 

Fraternally, he is a valued member ol dern Woodmen of Amer 

is a clean, progressive fai ind with a pleasing disposition which 

makes him friends wherever he goes. He i 1 to his 

and has lent honor and dignity to the profession of fanning, and in 
serves to be numbered among the progressive and enti his 



<S_'X GIBSON COUNTY, INDIANA. 

mty. With his natural intellectual endowments and upright character, 
he has become a valued factor in the community, and is ever vigilant in his 
efforts to further its interests along moral, material and civic lines. 

Mr. Thompson was united in marriage to Cora E. Emmerson on October 
19, 1899. She was a daughter of James and Susan J. (Williams) Emmer- 
son, whose family is referred to specifically elsewhere in this volume. Mrs. 
Thompson is lady of main- excellent qualities of head and heart, devoted to 
her home and family, and religiously, is affiliated with the General Baptist 
church, of which she is an ardent and loyal member, taking a deep interest in 
all the various activities of that denomination. She and her husband are 
popular and well liked in the social circles in which they move and command 
the respect and esteem of all who know them. To Mr. and Mrs. Thompson 
has been born one child. Mice Pauline. 



PINKNEY S. ARMSTRONG. 

Fealty to facts in the analyzation of the character of a citizen of the 
type of Pinkney S. Armstrong, progressive farmer and business man of 
Montgomery township, Gibson county, is all that is required to make a bio- 
graphical sketch interesting to those who have at heart the good name of the 
community honored by his residence, because it is the honorable reputation of 
the man of standing and affairs, more than any other consideration, that 
gives character and stability to the body politic. While advancing his in- 
dividual interests, he has newer lost sight of his obligations to the com- 
munity in general, where for many years he had held a high place in popular 
confidence and esteem. 

Pinkney S. Armstrong was born November 24, [866, in Montgomery 
township, this county, the son of William S. and Emily (Smith) Armstrong. 
William S. Armstrong, subject's father, was born in Vanderburg county. 
Indiana, the son of Kirby and Miranda (Gambrel) Armstrong, and the father 
of Kirby was John. John Armstrong was one of three brothers who came to 
America from Ireland. For seven years he had been a sailor on the high 
seas, and wearying of this, he decided to settle down to the life of a farmer in 
America. He and his brothers lived for a short time near Albermarle Sound 
111 North Carolina, and later John went to Kentucky. There he stayed for a 
short time and about the year 1806 came over into Indiana, at the time when 
his son, Kirby, was a lad of about seven years. They settled in A'anderburg 



GIBSON COUNTY, INDIANA. 829 

county, where the lad Kirbj grew to manl d, married, and there his 

William S. was born. William S. also grew to manhood in Vanderburg 
county, ami when about twenty-two years old was united in marriage with 
Emily Smith. She was horn in Montgomery township, Gi unty. a 

daughtei oi Dr. Willis Smith. Her mother was Patsy Warrick, a daughter 
of Captain Jacob Warrick, prominent in the early history of Gibson county 
and one of the heroes who received a mortal wound during the battle of I 
pecanoe. -Doctor Willis Smith wis originally from Kentucky and was one 
of the pioneer physicians of this county, when the practice of the profession 
of medicine was surely no sinecure. 

After his marriage, William S. Armstrong moved to Gibson county, 
locating in Montgomery township, between Owensville and Princeton and 
about four miles from Owensville. He purchased land at this point and 
here he and his wife passed the remainder of their lives. His death occurred 
July 24, [877, and his wife died January 1. 1902, at the age of seventy-five 
years. 

Pinkney S. Armstrong grew up on his father's farm and continued to 
live there until he was thirty-two years old. ( In December i, [887, he was 
united in marriage with .Martha Roberts. She 1- a native of Gibson county, a 
daughter of John and Janet Montgomery ) Robert-, and is a sifter of William 
T. Roberts, the present auditor of Gibson county. Her mother, Jane Mont- 
icrv. was a daughter of Colonel William Montgomery, a prominent pio- 
neer of the county. To the union of Pinkney S. and Martha (Robert 
Armstrong was born one child, .Mildred Blanche, who was not quite 
years old at the time of her mother's death, June [4, [909. On May 21, [911, 
Mr. Armstrong took as his second wife Nora Smith, a native of Montgom- 
ery township, and a daughter oi Henry W. and Matilda (Mauck) Smith. 

After hi- firsl marriage, in [887, Mr. Armstrong continued to reside 
on In- father's farm for eli rs, when he purchased his present farm 

three miles northeasl of Owensville. In all. he is the owner oi about nine 
hundred acre- of line farm land. He ha- ighty acres in his home 

farm and this he farm-, together with about one hundred and sixty acres 
near King's Station, and the balance of his land, located at the same place, he 
rents. The accumulating of this vast acri 1 high trib the excellent 

business ability oi Mr. Armstrong. I eing that the line farm laud- in 

his county would some day demand a much higher price than they did in 
his earlier iiunli 1. he bought up all the land he felt be was safe in assum- 
ing, borrowing heavily to meet his obligations, and when the rise came, as he 



83O GIBSON COUNTY, INDIANA. 

felt sure it would, he found himself a wealthy man. Mr. Armstrong has not 
only farmed along the most modern and scientific methods, but he has devoted 
considerable attention to the raising of live stock, doing especially well with 
a fine strain of Poland China hogs. In addition to this, he has done a large 
business in raising pears and is now giving his particular attention to the 
growing of alfalfa on a large scale, inoculating the soil and carrying it 
through to the harvest in the most approved scientific method. In addition to 
his regular business, Mr. Armstrong is a stockholder in six banking concerns, 
namely : Farmers' National Bank of Princeton, Citizens' Trust and Savings 
Bank of Princeton, First National Bank at Fort Branch, The Bankers' Na- 
tional at Evansville, the First National Bank of Owensville and the Ameri- 
can National Bank of Princeton. He is also a director in the two last named. 
Mr. Armstrong is a man of splendid influence in his community, and 
being a very industrious man who has led an honorable career, he sets a 
worthy example to the younger generation of his community. Fie is re- 
garded as a public-spirited man who can always be counted on to support the 
right side of any movement involving the moral, educational and social wel- 
fare of his fellow-citizens. He is one of those solid men of brain and sub- 
stance, so essential to the material growth and prosperity of a community 
and whose influence has been willingly extended in behalf of every deserving 
enterprise. 



R. P. LOCKHART. 



Although not an old man in years, the gentleman whose life record is 
herein outlined has stamped his individuality in no uncertain manner upon the 
localities where he has resided, being an excellent representative of that type 
of the much heralded American business man — the type that does things — Mr. 
Lockhart being a worthy descendant of a long line of honorable and influen- 
tial ancestors. 

R. P. Lockhart, who is at present engaged in the lumber business in 
Patoka, was born at Winthrop, Atchison county. Missouri, on July 6, 1864, 
the son of Ephraim G. and Elizabeth (Casey) Lockhart, natives, respect- 
ively, of New York state, and Posey county, Indiana. Ephraim G. Lockhart 
came to this county about 1854 and first devoted himself to farming pursuits, 
and later he became interested in saw and grist mills and other enterprises, in 
which he was very successful. Fie attained to a high place in the esteem 1 >f his 



GIBSON COUNTY, INDIANA. 83 1 

fellow citizens, serving for many years as a justice of the peace at I'atoka. A 
few years after locating here he moved to Vtchison county, Missouri, and 
about 1864 returned to Gibson county, spending the rest of his days in this 
state. He lived in Dubois county a short time, but his death occurred in 
Patoka at the age of seventy-two years. His wife had died about two years 
prior to that time. They were the parents of six children, namely: William, 
Katie and Arena are deceased, Henry, of Patoka, R. P., the immediate sub- 
ject of this sketch, and Thomas, deceased. 

R. P. Lockhart received his education in the public schools of Patoka, 
and then took up the vocation of saw filing, in which he was employed in 
various saw mills throughoul southwestern Indiana for many years. About 
eight years ago Mr. Lockhart engaged in the saw mill business on his own 
account in Patoka. in which enterprise he has met with pronounced success. 
In addition to his milling interests, Mr. Lockhart owns a splendid farm of 
two hundred and forty acres of land west of Patoka, which he is devoting to 
general agricultural purposes, raising all the crops common to this locality and 
also giving some attention to the breeding and raising of live stock. He is a 
stockholder and director in the Patoka National Bank, of which he was one 
of the organizers in connection with Will Parrett, Alex D. Milburn, Preston 
Milburn and others. He is considered a man of keen and sagacious business 
judgment, whose advice is sought by those in need of counsel. 

On June 20. 1900. occurred the marriage of Mr. Lockhart to Kate 
nine, the daughter of Daniel (.'line, of Patoka. The ceremony which united 
this couple was extraordinary in one respect at least. Air. Lockhart was in 
Stanton, Tennessee, and his I .ride in Patoka on the day set for the wedding. 
Mr. Lockhart found that he would be unable to come to Patoka and the cere- 
mony was performed 1>\ telephone. To their union has been born a daughter, 
Cathleen Elizabeth. 

Fraternally. Mr. Lockhart is an enthusiastic member of the Masonic 
order, while politically, he is a Progressive Republican, having served as a 
member of the city council. He owns one of the most attractive residences 
in Patoka, and here the spit Id-time hospitality is always in evidence, 

the home being a favorite gathering place of the many friends of the family. 
Personally, Mr. Lockhart is popular, possessing to a marked degree the char- 
acteristics that win and retain warm friendships. For his kindness and court- 
esy he has found an abiding place in the esteem of his fellow citizens, and 
his intelligent energy and enterprising spirit have made his influence fell dur- 
ing his residence in Gibson county. 



832 GIBSON COUNTY, INDIANA. 

HON. ALBERT GALLATIN HOLCOMB. 

Prominent among the representative citizens of Gibson county, Indiana, 
pre-eminently distinguished for his splendid ability in carrying to completion 
important public enterprises and enjoying marked prestige in man}- things far 
beyond the limits of the community honored by his residence, the gentleman 
whose name forms the caption to this brief re\ iew stands out a clear and con- 
spicuous figure among the successful men of a part of the great Hoosier 
state noted throughout the commonwealth for its high order of citizenship. 
Characterized by breadth of wisdom and strong individuality, his achieve- 
ments but represent the utilization of innate talents in directing efforts along 
lines in which mature judgment, rare discrimination and a resourcefulness 
that hesitates at no opposing circumstances, pave the way and ultimately lead 
to great achievements. It is not the intention of the biographer in this con- 
nection to give a detailed history of his busy life, but rather to note, inci- 
dentally, his connection with the various phases of the development of Gibson 
a iunty and to show the marked influence he has wielded in advancing the 
material interests of this locality by his strict adherence to the Golden Rule 
and his desire to promote the general good. 

Albert Gallatin Holcomb was born March 7. 1858, in Johnson township, 
Gibson county, Indiana, the son of Silas M. and Nancy A. (Ralston) Hol- 
comb tiic mother being a sister of Dr. \Y. ( .. Ralston, of Evansville, Indiana, 
and the father a son of Hosea Holcomb, who came from Virginia to Indiana 
as a young man and entered land in Gibson count)- three and one-half miles 
east of Haubstadt. Hosea Holcomb settled in the virgin forest, cut timber, 
cleared his land, built a home and raised his family here, being a successful 
man in all that term implies. 

The subject's father continued on the original property after the death 
of his father and continued the successful conduct of the home place. He 
was a man who took an active part in public affairs and was elected to and 
served in the state Legislature, being a leader in his district. He died in his 
sixty-five year. He was the father of live children, namely: ^Yilliam R. is 
now In ing in Vincennes : Albert ( i. : Minnie is deceased ; Martha lives at Fort 
Branch ; Andrew R. is in Oklahoma. 

The subject of this review spent his boyhood in Johnson township, re- 
ceiving his education in the common schools, and then taught school for eight 
years. \t the end of this period he was elected trustee for two consecutive 
terms and gave such efficient service in that responsible office that at the com- 




AUiKKT G. HOLCOMB. 



GIBSON COl N l \ , [NDIANA. 833 

pletion ni his second term he was the choice of the people of his district for 
state senator, to which office he was elected for one term. His constituents 

11 realized the wise choice they had made in selecting Mr. Holcomb to n 
resent their interests in the General Assembly, for he devoted his talents and 
energies to legislating for their best interests, he being the author of a number 
1 admirable measures, and displaying a wise discrimination in the casting oi 
his vote on all matters before the senate. In 1904 the subject was the unani- 
mous choice of the Democratic party as a candidate for Congress, but he was 
included in the general landslide which overwhelmed his party on the occasion 
of Roosevelt's sea md election. Mr. Holcomb has been chairman of the I )emo- 
cratic county committee for four years and also has served as chairman of his 
township for the last thirty years, having been elected to the latter position 
when he was but eighteen years of age, he having been on the committee con- 
tinuously since. 

For sixteen years the subject has been a member of the board of directors 
of the Gibson County Agricultural and Horticultural Fair, having served as 
president of this body for two terms. He has attended and been an active 
worker in the farmers' institutes for a number of years. The Senator has a 
splendid farm adjoining the town of Fort Branch, where he raises fine crops 
of grain and other farm products. I lis place is a model agricultural plant, the 
equipmenl of buildings, silo and barns being especially complete. For a num- 
ber of years the subject has been interested in the best grades of live stock, his 
Percheron burses, bred from registered sires, having taken many prizes at 
fairs, while his cattle are pure bred Jerseys. His large and beautifully fur- 
nished modern residence is located at the turn in the main read, the bend in 
the road forming the border to a lawn formed in th< e of a half circle. 

comprising about a half acre in extent, and presenting a pleasing effect with 
its beautiful shrubbery and trees. 

On ( Ictober 27, r88l, the subjeel was married to Mice M. Hull, daughter 
of Thomas Hull, a p ■ ibson county. To this union have been born 

two children, namely: Thomas secured his early education in the common 

scl Is and in the Fori Branch high school, supplementing ibis by courses in 

the law departments of the University of Georgia and Yale University, after 
which he located as a practicing attorney in Chicago; Harold R. is attend 
high school. 

Thomas Hull, the father of the subject's wife came originally from New 
York City, and he was the son of John Hull, who emigrated to this country 

I 53 I 



■ V ,U GIBSON COUNTY, INDIANA. 

from Liverpool, England soon after his marriage to Elizabeth laylor, of 
Rochester, England. John Hull and wife lived in New York City for a short 
while, during which time the sun Thomas was born. Leaving this city, the 
family removed to Boston, where Tin >mas attended schi >ol and it was his privi- 
lege to see General Lafayette on his farewell visit to this country in 1824. 
Removing from Boston, they went to New Orleans by the ocean route, that 
same year, where they remained until 1827, when the family came up the river 
to Gibson county, Indiana, and settled on a farm near Owensville. in Mont- 
gomery township, where they continued to make their home the rest of their 
lives. The grandfather died in 1869, at the age of eighty-four, while the 
grandmother passed away in 1867, in her seventy-sixth year. The great- 
grandmother of Mrs. Holcomb was Elizabeth (Edwards) Hull, whose hus- 
band died as a young man. leaving two sons and one daughter, Mrs. Hol- 
comb's grandfather being one of the sons. The mother of the subject's wife 
was Elizabeth Nixon, whose grandfather, "William Nixon, was a native of 
Ireland. 



GEORGE WASHINGTON JOHNSON. 

The best title one can establish to the high and generous esteem of an 
intelligent community is a protracted ami honorable residence therein. George 
Washington Johnson has resided in this locality all his life and his career has 
been a commendable one, well deserving of being perpetuated on the pages 
ui a historical work of the nature of the one in hand. Knowing that the 
county was destined to take a high rank in the productive and rich localities 
of the North, he applied himself very closely to his work and waited tor the 
future to bring its rewards, and today he is one of the substantial men of his 

county. 

George Washington Johnson, one of the most prominent farmers of 
Gibson county, was born January 2, 1852, two miles west of Owensville. He 
is the son of Levi and Louisa (Smith) Johnson. His father was born in 
New Harmony, Indiana. December 25, 1824, the son of George and Anna 
1 Williams ) Johnson. The Johnson family came to this state about 1807 
from Virginia before the admission of the state into the Union. Levi John- 
son's mother died when he was born, and a little later his father moved to 
Gibson county and settled in Montgomery township, where he lived the re- 



GIBSON COUNTY, INDIANA. 835 

mainder of his life. Levi Johnson was reared to manhood in this township 
and here married Louisa Smith, the daughter of Jackson W. and Martha C. 
( Warrick) Smith. Martha Warrick was a daughter of Captain Warrick, 
the celebrated hero of the battle of • Tippecanoe, who Eell in this memorable 
battle, which was fought in the fall of 1S1 i. Her father, Jackson W. Smith, 
was born near Lexington, Kentucky, and came to Gibson county early in the 
history of the state. 

From the time of his marriage Levi Johnson lived about two miles west 
of Owensville. He was a life-long farmer and by close application to his 
business he secured a very comfortable competence for his children. He took 
an active part in local public affairs and served two terms as township trustee. 
His death occurred November 25, 1904, and his widow is still living at the 
advanced age of eighty-live years. Mr. Johnson was an active and faithful 
member of the General Baptist church during all his life and always took an 
active interest in all the various workings of that denomination. Air. and 
Mrs. Levi Johnson were the parents of six children: John W. ; George \\\. 
the immediate subject of this sketch; Martha; Emma, widow of Doss 
Thompson; Warrick D. ; Laura, who died at the age of three years. 

George W. Johnson grew to maturity in Montgomery township on his 
father's farm. Here he lived the life of the average farmer boy, going to 
school in the winter seasons and working on the farm in the summer. He 
was united in marriage to Marovia Johnson, who was the daughter of George 
Buckley Johnson and Lizzie (Martin) Johnson, and was born five miles west 
of Owensville, her parents having come to Indiana among the first settlers of 
of the state. Upon becoming twenty-one years of age his father gave him 
forty acres of land, and within a year he bought an additional fi >rt\ acres, just 
west of Owensville. and by strict attention to his business and by thrift and 
frugality, he gradually increased his holdings until he is now the owner of 
two hundred and forty acres of line land, and in addition to this he has 
bought land which he has given to his daughter. 

\s a young man George W. Johnson attended Asbury University, now 
Del'amv. at Greencastle, and after leaving the university he taught school 
for a number of years. To Mr. and Mrs. George \\ . Johnson have been 
born two children, one son who died in infancy, and a daughter. Laura Ella, 
the wife of Dr. Ralph W. Emerson, who lives near her father and is the 
mother of seven children. Ralph Waldo, fohnson. Louisa E., h'hn Warrick. 
Myron Titus and twin babies. All of the family are loyal members of the 
General Baptist church at Owensville. Mr. Johnson has been a member of 



836 GIBSON COUNTY, INDIANA. 

the Free and Accepted Masons for thirty years, and has always taken an 
active interest in the affairs of that fraternal organization. 

Dr. Ralph Waldo Emerson, the son-in-law of George W. Johnson, was 
born one mile east of Owensville on October 23. 1869, the son of John W. 
and Nancy Jane (Knowles) Emerson. Dr. Emerson grew up on the farm 
near Owensville, securing his elementary education in the district schools of 
his county. Later he took the classical course at Union Christian College at 
Merom, Indiana, graduating from that institution on June 13, 1895, with the 
degree of Bachelor of Arts. In September of the same year he entered the 
Eclectic Medical Institute at Cincinnati, Ohio, and graduated from that school 
on May 10, 1898. Ten days later he was back in ( )wensville, had opened his 
office for business in the active practice of bis profession, and continued 
active practice for four years and a half. In 1903 he discontinued his prac- 
tice owing to ill health and retired to the farm, where he has continued to 
reside since. In his practice he was building up rapidly a good reputation for 
himself as a physician. He was well prepared for a general practitioner and 
had his health permitted him to continue in the practice he would undoubt- 
edly have Income one of the prominent physicians of his county. 

On August 28, 1898, Air. Johnson was married to Laura Ella Johnson, 
the daughter of George W. and Marovia Johnson, who are represented in 
the foregoing pages. The whole family are very much interested in music. 
5. Emerson took a musical course at Oakland City College and graduated 
in both the vocal and instrumental departments. Every one in the family 
plays on some musical instrument. The youngest son, at the age of eight 
plays a cornet and has the reputation of being the youngest cornetist 
in the state; Wash Johnson plays the slide trombone, and the family assist in 
the orchestra of the General Baptist church. Mr. and Mrs. Emerson are the 
owners of one hundred and eighty-eight acres of fine land in this county and 
Air. Emerson also farms his father-indaw's land of two hundred and twenty 
acres, making a total of four hundred acres operated by Doctor Emerson. 
Agriculture has always been an honored vocation from the earliest ages and 
men id' education are turning to the farm in increasing numbers every year. 
The free outdoor life of the farm has a decided tendency to foster and de- 
velop that independence of mind and self-reliance which characterize true 
manhood. It has always been the fruitful soil from which has sprung the 
moral bone and sinew of the country. Mr. Emerson is leading a life charac- 
terized by perseverance and energy and commands the confidence and re- 
spec! of the people of the community in which he lives. 



G] BSON COl N IV, INDIANA. 837 

CLAUDE \. SMITH. 

In a brief sketch of any living citizen il is difficult to do him exact and 
impartial justice, no1 so much, however, for lack of -pace or words to set 
forth the familiar ami passing events of his personal history, as for wain of 
the rounded conception of his whole life, which grows, develops and ripens, 
like fruit, to disclose its truest and best flavor only when it is mellowed by 
time. Daily contact with the man so familiarizes lis with his virtues that we 
ordinarily overlook them and commonh underestimate their_possessor. Tin- 
man whose name stands at the head of this sketch has already won for him- 
self an enviable reputation as a lawyer in a community noted for the high 
order of its legal talent, and being -till in the first flush of manhood, of un- 
doubted honor and integrity, has before him great opportunities in his chosen 
profession. 

Claude A. Smith was born July 26, [881, at ' iwensville, Gibson county, 
Indiana, the son of John F. and Geo (Bird) Smith, both natives of Gibson 
county. John F. Smith was horn in Montgomery township, Gibson county, 
December 25, 1853, where he passed his entire life. In [889, together with 
Richard P. McGinnis. he organized the Owensville Hank. From the firsl he 
served as its cashier and remained in that capacity, retaining his interest in 
the bank until his death. This was the first hank in that (Montgomery) 
township. Mr. Smith was an active member of the Knights of Pythias and 
was serving as chancellor commander of his lodge al the time of his death, 
in September, 1893. 

Claude \. Smith's parental grandfather was Noah Smith, who lived to 
be eighty-four years old and died some six or seven years ago. lie was a 
farmer all his life. His wife was Patsy Benson, a member of one of the finest 
families of the county. 

Mrs. John F. Smith, widowed mother of the subject of this sketch, 
makes her home in 1 Iwensville, Indiana, where she has lived all her life. She 
is the mother of one other child, Mabel, the wife of Lynn Lucas, furniture 
dealer of Princeton. Jacob F. Bird, maternal grandfather of the subject, -till 
reside- in Owensville a1 '.he ripe old age of eighty-six. Me was the first 
county superintendent of Gibson county and is said to have started the first 
school in Montgomery township. Me was a member of the Indiana Legisla- 
ture fift) years ago. 

Claude \. Smith attended the primary and high schools of Owensville. 
graduating from the latter in rgoo. Having chosen the law a- his profession, 



838 GIBSON COUNTY, INDIANA. 

he then matriculated in the Indiana State University, from which he was 
graduated in 1903 with the degree of Bachelor of Arts. He attended Colum- 
bia University, New York City, for special training in his chosen profession, 
was admitted to the bar in 1905, and after his graduation from Columbia 
University in 1906, took up the practice of law in Princeton. 

On July 23. 1907. he was united in marriage to Phoebe Barnard, daugh- 
ter of G. W. Barnard, of Oakland City. Mrs. Smith is the daughter of Grove 
W. and Maria (Teel) Barnard, her father being a native of Connecticut and 
her mother of this county. Grove W. Barnard came to this county when 
grown and taught school for some time; but later engaged in the milling 
business at Oakland City, where he was killed in 1892. He was an active 
Democrat and had been the county chairman of his party. 

Mr. Smith is a member of the time-honored body of Master Masons, 
and an active and consistent member of the Methodist Episcopal church. 
Politically, his convictions are with the Republican party. An energetic and 
upright young man, Mr. Smith possesses those qualities which make a man a 
representative citizen in whatsoever locality his lot may fall. 



W. L. ROBBINS. 



The true measure of individual success is determined by what one has 
accomplished. An enumeration of those men who have succeeded in their 
special vocations in Gibson county, and at the same time are impressing their 
personalities on the community, men who are conferring honor on the locality 
in which they reside, would lie incomplete were there failure to make specific 
mention of the gentleman whose name initiates this paragraph, for he is an 
important factor in the business life of his community. The splendid success 
which has come to him has been the direct result of the salient points in his 
character, for, with a mind capable of laying judicious plans and a will strong 
enough to carry them into execution, his energy, foresight and perseverance 
have carried him forward to a position in the front rank of the successful 
business men of his community. He has carried to successful completion 
whatever he has undertaken, and his business methods have ever been in 
strict conformity with the standards and ethics of commercial life. He has 
taken an intelligent interest in the civic life of the community and has earned 
the high regard in which he is held by all who know him. 



GIBSON COUNTY, tNDIANA. 839 

VV. L. Robbins was born at Paoli, Orange county, Indiana. March 20, 
[838, the son of David and Arrianna (Gillum) Robbins. David Robbins 
was born August 22, 1812, and his wife, a native of Chatham county. North 
Carolina, was born February t 1, [809, their marriage taking place January 22, 
[835. The father of David Robbins was Nathaniel Robbins, who came from 
Pennsylvania to Orange county, Indiana, at an early date, where he engaged 
in agricultural pursuits all his life. 

The subject of this brief review was the second of seven children, four 
of whom are still living. His boyhood days were spent in Orange county, 
where he attended the district school for a period of only forty-nine days al- 
together and helped in the work of the farm until he reached his legal ma- 
jority. In i860 he was united in marriage to Mary A. Tate, to which union 
were born three children, namely: Alice E.. deceased; Hettie and Dessie 
May died in infancy. After his marriage. Mr. Robbins continued agricul- 
tural pursuits, specializing in the raising, buying and selling of hogs. In 
[862, owing to the unsettled condition of business due to the Civil war, the 
subject lost all he possessed. However, his indomitable spirit rose superior 
to reverses, and he continued fanning until 1870, at which time he removed 
to Gibson county and located in Hazleton', where for several years he was 
employed, by Jarvis Hazleton in the lumber business. In 1881 he rented a 
saw mill from Air. Hazleton and went into business on his own account. 
This business, prospering, he continued in it until hjoj. having in the mean- 
time worn out two saw mills. 

The s t >c: Hid marriage of the subject occurred on April 27. [882, when 
he was united in the holy bonds of matrimonj with Sallie Williams, daughter 
of F.li A. and Margaret M. (Hartin) Williams, the former a native of North 
Carolina, who died in October. [882, at the age of seventy-two years, and the 
latter a natiw of South Carolina, who died in [892, at the age of seventy- 
four vears. The mother's family moved to Indiana about 1830 and located 
in Princeton. The father was actively engaged as a carpenter and builder 
in Princeton during his lifetime. Mrs. Robbins was educated in the public 
schools of Princeton and at the age of sixteen years engaged in teaching, 
which she continued tip to the time of her marriage in [882, teaching twenty- 
three terms and missing but one year during that time, this being Awv to ill 
health. 

During his highl) successful career in the lumber business, Mr. Robbins 
confined himself exclusively to the besl grades of timber, mostly walnut and 
oak. P»v careful and systematic attention to tin- details of his business he 



84O GIBSON COUNTY, INDIANA. 

became highly successful and gained a reputation for being an ideal em- 
ployer. He always made it a point when placing an employe in a certain posi- 
tion to hold him responsible for the work of his department, never interfering 
so long as results were forthcoming in a satisfactory manner. In the subject's 
boyhood days, while he was working out for others, he had many trying ex- 
periences, especially in the matter of securing his wages after they were 
earned. At that time he resolved that should he ever engage in business for 
himself he would see to it that his employes received their money when it was 
due, and it is his proud boast that in the twenty-one years he was in business 
he missed but two Saturday nights in making up the pay roll, and those were 
occasions when he was ill. It is a testimonial to his good standing in the 
business world that when, in 1884, the spring thaw came suddenly and carried 
away his logs, leaving him practically without a dollar, he went right ahead, 
his good name tiding him over and comparatively few knew how heavily his 
misfortunate had borne upon him. 

While the subject's early education was very meager, he has by close 
observation and reading become a man well grounded in the general knowl- 
edge of the world, the practical kind that is really worth while. In brief, 
Mr. Robbins has, by his own hands, carved out a place for himself in bis 
community that has gained for him the respect of his fellow men. Mr. and 
Mrs. Robbins are faithful members of the Methodist Episcopal church. Mrs. 
Robbins' mother belonged to the Friends church. Mr. Robbins has been a 
stanch Democrat all his life, but never a candidate for anv office. 



JOHN DAVID SMITH. 

Among the enterprising and progressive citizens of Gibson county, none 
stands higher in the esteem of his- fellow citizens than the gentleman whose 
name forms the caption of this sketch. He has long been actively engaged in 
agricultural pursuits in this county and the years of his residence here have 
but served to strengthen the feeling of admiration on the part of his fellow- 
men owing to the honorable life he has led and the worthy example he has set 
the younger generation, consequently the publishers of this biographical com- 
pendium are glad to give such a worthy representation in this work. 

John David Smith, of Crowleyville, Wabash township, Gibson county, 
is a native of the Hoosier state, having been born in Posey county, Indiana, 
January 16, 1865, and is the son of Richard Smith and Jane fMedows) 



GIBSON COUNTY, INDIANA. 84I 

Smith. Richard Smith was a son of \<lam Smith, who came from Virginia 
about the year 1829, when Richard was aboul five years of age. They settled 
in the south edge of Montgomery township, Gibson county, along Black 
river, being among the earl) settlers of that section. Here Richard Smith 
grew to manhood and here he was married to Jane Medows, who was a native 
of Kentucky, having been'born and reared near Cynthiana, that state. After 
his marriage Mr. Smith moved to a farm near Stewartsville, which he 
operated until the outbreak of the Civil war, when he responded to the call of 
his country for defenders and served faithfully throughout that great struggle, 
taking part in many of the great battles of that conflict, receiving severe 
wounds in the leg and being taken prisoner at one time I le was a loyal and 
brave soldier and at the close of the war was mustered out and given an honor- 
able discharge, and returning to his home again took up agricultural pursuits. 
He moved to the Kendle farm, two and one-half miles south of Crowleyville, 
in Wabash township, this county, now owned by Harmon Siegert, and here 
he spent the remainder of his life, hi- death occurring on this place, lie was 
a life-long farmer, devoted to his chosen calling, of which he made a distinct 
success, and was highly respected by his fellow agriculturists and all with 
whom he came in contact. In politics lie was a Democrat, while both lie and 
his wife were earnest and faithful members of the Baptist church. To them 
were born six children: Mary, deceased, the wife of Henry Carbaugh, 
spent her life in Wabash, township, this county: Olletha died at the age of 
twenty-two; Isaac Newton died on December 22, khj. and also was a life- 
long resident of Wabash township; ,ohn I'- the immediate subjeel of this 
sketch: Lewis Marshall, of Kennsburg, Illinois; Alfred, Clinton resides in the 
state of Washington. The father of these children died in May. t886, at the 

of sixty-two years. 

John David Smith was reared under the parental roof, securing his edu- 
cation in the common schools of bis neighborhood, and in his early life 
worked at farm labor between school seasons. In \pril, 1SS7. at the age of 
twentv-two. he was married to Rhoda Smith, who was a daughter of William 
and Mary Ann (Picketts) Smith, who had moved from Warrick county. 
Indiana, to Wabash town-hip. this county, in an early day, and to this union 
were born three children, namely: Delia, who was the wife of Thomas 
Tillet and died at Grayville: Edgar died at the age of seven wars, and Mary 
i< still at home with her father. The mother of these children died in 1 S. ,S. 
and on October 22. i<)<><S Mr. Smith was married to Mrs. Man \. Willia 
who was born in Harmony township, Posey county, Indiana, the daughter of 



842 GIBSON COUNTY, INDIANA. 

William and Elizabeth (De Foster) Hunget. Her parents were early settlers 
of Posey county, her father having come there from South Carolina fifty-nine 
years ago, at the age of ten years, while her mother's birth occurred near 
Bowling Green, Kentucky, and she lived at that place until her marriage to 
Mr. Hunget. Airs. Smith lived in Posey county until her marriage to Mr. 
Smith. Her first husband was John Shull, and they were the parents of two 
children, Martha E., who lives with her mother, and Mahala. who died at the 
age of five years. After Mr. Shull's death his widow married Riley R. Will- 
iams, who is also deceased. 

For the past seven years Mr. Smith has been engaged in the general 
mercantile business at Crowleyville, and is well known all over this section of 
the county. He carries a good line of general merchandise, and while his 
store is not a large one, he does a thriving business, and in July, 1913, also 
established a store at Johnson's Station, and is now conducting both stores, 
meeting with very satisfactory success in this line. He is a Democrat in 
politics, and takes an active part in all public affairs of his community. In 
1908 he was elected assessor of Wabash township for the term of four years, 
and because of legislative changes in the law governing his term of office, he 
continues to hold the office for two more years, making a term of six years. 
He is discharging the duties of this important office to the eminent satisfac- 
tion of his constituents and is one of the popular, enterprising and alert citi- 
zens of his community. 



THEODORE FLEMING THOMAS. 

A review of the life of the honored subject of this review must of 
necessity be brief and general in its character. To enter fully into the inter- 
esting details of the career of Theodore Thomas Fleming, touching the strug- 
gles of his early manhood and the successes of his later years would far 
transcend the limits of this article. He has filled a large place in the ranks 
of the public-spirited citizens of his day, and that he has done his part well 
can not be gainsaid, for his record has been such as has gained for him the 
commendation and approval of his fellows. His career has been a long, busy 
and useful one and he has contributed much to the material, civic and moral 
advancement of the community, while his admirable qualities of head and 
heart and the straightforward course of his daily life has won for him the 
esteem and confidence of the circles in which he has moved. 



GIBSON COUNTY, INDIAN \. 843 

Theodore Fleming Thomas was born May 22. 1857. in Princeton, In- 
diana, the son of James and Cynthea (Key) Thomas, the former having been 
born in London, England, and the latter in Gibson county, Indiana, near the 
town (>)' Princeton. The Christian name of subject's paternal grandfather is 
unknown, although effort-, have been made a number of times to ascertain it, 
there being considerable of an estate to which subject would be entitled were 
he able to clear up this genealogical phase. It is only known that the grand- 
father was a resident of London, England. James Thomas, father of the sub- 
ject of this biography, was a prominent civil engineer in England, having 
been foreman during the construction of one of the large bridges built over the 
Thames river. The family at that time consisted of two brothers and a sister. 
When James Thomas and his brother came to America the sister remained in 
England. On arriving in New York, the two brothers separated, subject's 
father coming to Princeton. Indiana, at an early date, where he located and 
engaged in the manufacture of firearms, he being an extrordinarily proficient 
gunsmith. In those pioneer days, before the advent of la ing machin- 

ery, almost everything was done by hand. and. it must lie admitted, done in a 
more thorough and workmanlike manner than is the case nowadays. Jan • 
Thomas, it is affirmed, made the best of guns complete, lock, stock and barrel, 
and built up a thriving business for those days. His natural genius as a me 
chanic won him a reputation far and wide, and a few of the firearms made by 
him are still preserved and highly prized by their owners. He was thus 
actively engaged until the time of his death, at the age of seventy-six years, 
his death occurring while he was living with his son at Owensville. Gibson 
county. 

James Thomas was twice married, and to the first marriage were horn 
two children, Franklin and Helen. Franklin was a gunsmith and lived at 
Washington, Indiana, where he died in 1862, single, lie willed ten thousand 
dollars to the Cumberland Presbyterian church.. Tie made lots of guns and 
was a celebrated workman. The daughter. Helen, died at Sparta. Illinois, 
several years ago. 

To James and Cvnthea Thomas were horn seven children, namely: 
Henrv died in [874; Mary, who married Henry Geisky, is now deceased: 
David is making his home in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania: William is J 
Susannah married Harry Pigman and lives in Cincinnati, Ohio; the subject; 
Dellia married Frank Kightly and lives in White River township, Gibson 
county. 

The subject spent his boyhood days in Princeton, where he attended the 



844 GIBSON COUNTY. INDIANA. 

district schools, after completing which he took up the task of learning the 
blacksmithing trade in the shop of Thomas Ewing and Henry Geisky. Upon 
completing his apprenticeship, he went to Louisville, Kentucky, where he 
worked at his trade for three years, learning the construction of engines and 
general machine work. Returning to Princeton, in 1882, he saw an opening 
for his talents in the town of Hazleton, and there he started in business on 
his own account. He has steadily increased his business, now handling farm 
implements of all kinds and having a machine shop in connection, where all 
varieties of repair work are done. 

In November. 1878, Theodore Fleming Thomas was united in marriage 
with Berminnia Shreves. of Decker Station, Knox county, Indiana, daughter 
of John VV. Shreves, a native of Scotland. To this union have been born 
nine children, namely: Oliver Morton resides in St. Louis and is superin- 
tendent of the .Western Union Telegraph office there ; Fay E. married Cleve- 
land Morgan, of Atlanta, Georgia, where they reside; John F. is connected 
with bis father's business; Louis R. is train dispatcher for the Cincinnati, 
Hamilton & Dayton railroad at Indianapolis; Leslie A. is now in Evausville, 
Indiana, and is assistant foreman of the Vulcan Plow Company ; Franklin L. 
is employed by (lie Chicago & Eastern Illinois Railroad Company as assist- 
ant agent and operator at Hazleton, Indiana; Blanche, May and Dale are still 
under the paternal roof. 

Fraternally, Mr. Thomas is a member of the blue lodge of the Masonic 
fraternity, while in the Independent Order of Odd Fellows he has been 
through all the chairs and has been honored by selection a number of times 
as delegate to the grand lodge. He is a member of the city council, of which 
body be has served as president. Politically, be was a stanch Democrat, while 
in his religious belief, he was a loyal member of the Methodist Episcopal 
church. 



WILLIAM HENRY HARRISON DE PRIEST. 

The office of biography is not to give voice to a man's modest estimate 
of himself and his accomplishments, but rather to leave upon the record the 
verdict establishing his character by the consensus of opinion on the part of 
his friends and neighbors. The life of the honorable subject of this review 
has been such as to elicit just praise from those who know him best, owing 
to the fact that he has always been loyal to trusts imposed upon him and has 



til BSON C01 NTY, INDIANA. 845 

been upright in his dealings with his fellow nun. at the same time lending his 
support to the advancement of any cause looking to the welfare of the com- 
munity at large. 

William Henry Harrison De Priest was born August 20, 1N41. in 
Gibson county, Indiana, the son of George \V. De Priest, a native of Howling 
Green, Kentucky, and Julia (Foster) DePriest, who was horn near Fort 
Branch. Gibson county. The grandparents of the subjecl on the paternal 
were William and Nancy DePriest, who came from the state of Mississippi 
er one hundred years ago and settled in Bowling Green, Kentucky, later 
removing to Gibson county, where they entered government land near Fort 
Branch. Here the} spent the remainder of their days engaged in farming. 
The subject's lather assisted on the home farm and after the death of his 
parents he took charge of the estate and tically applied hin the 

ile\ i of the land. As an example of his energy, it is cited that he 

taught school for a period of six months in [840 in or ioney to pay 

a man for getting out logs, he doing the building himself. This hi, use is still 
standing and is occupied by his widow, who was his third wife. The father 
only lived to be forty-five years of age. I le was V ei \ n Ful in life, start- 
ing with but foity acre- given him by his father, and at the time of his death 
being the owner of a farm of five hundred acres, he having cleared over two 
hundred acres. Me was a man of great energy, and trong Democrat. 

the subject having been named after William Henry Harrison. He was well 
'lined, a ready debater, and was urged many times by his friends to run 
for Congress, hut could newer he persuaded to do so. 

Th' 'of this review was the oldest of a family of four children. 

lie lived on the home farm until 1875, when, owing to poor health, he sold 
out and came to Hazleton, where he 1 aged in genera! merchand 
business prospering, he added a grain elevator, which burned down about 
[883, and about two years later his store was also destroyed by lire. Going 
Princeton, he was engaged in clerking for five years, after which he return 
to Hazleton and engaged in the grain business. Five years was spent in this 
line, he then going into the drug business with his brother at Hazleton. After 
the lirothers organized a mill. Mr. DePriest again returned to the farm 
his brother, where he acted as superintendent until 1 hen he 

pointed postmaster at Hazleton. He has given such universal satisfacl 
both to the postal authorities and the general public that he has been ap- 
pointed to tin' same position at the end of each four-year term. His genial 
manner has won for him a host of friends and acquaintances, among wl 



N +' GIBSON COUNTY, INDIANA. 

he is familiarly known as "Uncle Billy." In connection with his duties as 
postmaster, he has a nice assortment of stationery, pencils, postcards, etc., 
and enjoys a good patronage. He has had more than his share of the ups and 
downs of life, but every reverse has found him bobbing serenely up ready for 
another battle, never disposed to quarrel with his fate. 

Fraternally, the subject is a member of the Masonic fraternity, Hazle- 
ton, being affiliated with the blue lodge, and he is also an active worker in the 
Independent Order of Odd Fellows. Fie is a member of the Cumberland 
Presbyterian church at Hazleton. Indiana. 



THEODORE \V. CRAWFORD. 

Specific mention is made oi many of the worthy citizens of Gib n 
county within the pages of this book, citizens who have figured in the growth 
and development of this favored locality, and whose interests are identified 
with its every phase or' progress, each contributing in his sphere of action to 
the well-being of the community in which he resides and to the advancement 
of its moral and legitimate growth. Ann nig this number is Theodore \Y. 
Crawford, one of the leading farmers of Montgomery township, Gibson 
county, Indiana. 

Theodore VV. Crawford is a native of this county, having been bom at 
Oakland City August 28. 1861. the son of James Lawrence and Annie 
(Townsend) Crawford. James Lawrence Crawford was born at Owens- 
ville, the son of Holly and Delia (Dimick) Crawford. Holly Crawford was 
a native of the state of New York and in 1816, when a young man, he jour- 
neyed westward tu Indiana, arriving at Vincennes about the time the Indians 
were bought out and driven further westward. He remained but a short 
time, returning to New York, but in 1818 came back to this state to stay. 
Before returning to Indiana he went to Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, where he 
joined several families coming out to Indiana. These were the Dimicks. the 
Runnels and the Townsends. They built a flat boat, which was launched on 
the Ohio river at Pittsburgh and conveyed themselves and their possessions t < > 
their new home The Dimicks settled at Princeton, and there are now cab- 
inet makers of the name who are descendants of these pioneers. Holly Craw- 
ford also came to Princeton, and at that time it was only a little village, 
struggling to assume metropolitan airs. Holly Crawford was a carpenter 



GIBSON COUNTY, INDIANA. 847 

and his labor helped to form many of the homes built in early days. He also 
helped to build the old mill on the creek south of the town square. He later 
moved to Owensville and lastly to Oakland City, where lit- came to pos 
some five or six hundred acre- of land. This he farmed, or thai portion 
which was cleared, and here he died. James Lawrence (raw ford was aboul 
sixteen years old when his father took up his residence at Oakland City, and 
he lived the remainder of his life on the land which has father had owned, 
fi Hi .wing in the footsteps of his worthy father. Holly <'rawfi.nl had for many 
years been justice of the peace and a man much admired and respected. 
James Lawrence was comparatively young when he became an elder in 
Cumberland Presbyterian church, and gave many years to that service, d i 
all in his power to further that society's interests. ! fe took as his wife ^nnie 
M. Townsend, born about three miles north of Princeton, a daughter of I lean 
Townsend, whose father came from Pittsburgh with Holly Crawford. Sin- 
still lives on the old Craw foul hometsead near Oakland City. 

Theodore W. Crawford grew up on the old home place, attending the 
country schools and later the high school at Oakland City, from which he was 
graduated. In [884 he united in marriage with Mary E. Jones, sister of Jo 
VV. Junes and daughter of Franklin Jones, deceased, sketches of whose lives 
appear elsewhere in this volume. For about five years after his man,. 
Mr. ( "raw ford continued to reside in < lakland City, and at that time purchased 
a farm about three miles southwest of < Iwensville, where he now resides and 
where he owns in all some two hundred acres of fine farm land. Mr. and 
Mrs. ("raw ford, are the parents of five children, namely: Eva, Frank L., 
Opha. who is the wife of Lowell Mauck, and lives within two miles of her 
father's home; Minnie J. and Delia, who graduated from the Owensville 
high school in the spring of on |. \11 of the family except Opha are at 
home. Minnie, however, is at present attending Stan- Normal School at Terre 
Haute. Indiana. 

Politically, Mr. Crawford 1- a stanch supporter of the Republican party. 
lie is nol a seeker after office for himself, but wields a definite influence in 
the party campaigns. Fraternally, he is a member of the time-honored on 
of Freemasonry, in which he has taken all of the York Rite work except the 
Knighl Templar degree. Religiously, he is a member of the Cumberland 
Presbyterian church and gives this society his liberal support. Mr. (raw ford 
is a man of large views and broad sympathies, and no movement for the ad 
vancement of his community has ever solicited his aid in vain, for he believes 
in progress all along the line of material effort and his interests are alwa 



848 GIBSON COUNTY, INDIANA. 

in harmony with the highest and best interests of his fellow citizens. Genial 
and unassuming in manner, he has a host of friends throughout Gibson 
county. 



WILLIAM H. THORNE. 

The success of men in business or any vocation depends upon character 
as well as upon knowledge, it being a self-evident proposition that honesty is 
the best policy. Business demands confidence and where that is lacking busi- 
ness ends. In every community some men are known for their upright lives, 
strong common sense and moral worth rather than for their wealth of political 
standing. Their neighbors and acquaintances respect them, the younger gen- 
erations heed their examples, and when they "wrap the drapery of their 
couches about them and lie down to pleasant dreams" posterity listens with 
reverence to the story of their quiet and useful lives. Among such men of a 
past generation in Indiana was the late William H. Thorne, who was not only 
a progressive man of affairs, successful in material pursuits, but a man of 
modest and unassuming demeanor, well educated, a fine type of the reliable, 
self-made American, a friend to the poor, charitable to the faults of his 
neighbors and who always stood ready to unite with them in every good work 
and active in the support of laudable public enterprises. I le was a man who in 
every respect merited the high esteem in which he was universally held, for he 
was a man of public spirit, intellectual attainments and exemplary character. 

William hi. Thorne was born in Culpeper county. Virginia, April jo, 
1823. the son of Thomas Thorne. He was married in 1N42 to Jemima Cain, 
o of Virginia. 1 le died in 1902, his wife having passed away a few months 
before. 

The Thornes were a prominent family in Virginia. At the outbreak of 
( "i\ T war William II. Thorne was engaged in farming, his estate being 
in Wirt county. West Virginia, a tract that had been cleared and im- 
proved by the subject, and here were born eight children. At the commence- 
ment of the Civil war their sympathies were with the South, although they 
were opposed to slavery. 

At the close of the war the family removed to Indiana, arriving on 
March 11, 1805, and locating at Hazelton, Gibson count) - , where the subject 
acquired three hundred acres of land adjoining the town, a portion of which 
has become town property known as Thome's addition, on which he erected 




a 
si 



a 



< 
x 

X 



m 

s 



z 
a 

Q 

S3 

a 



Pi 
o 

X 



\ 



s 



I 



Vv 



s 




GIBSON COUNTY, .INDIANA. 849 

the residence at present oc< upied by his daughters and known as Thorne Hill. 
The subject oi this review served twelve years as justice of the peace at 
Hazelton and was a man highl} respected and honored, he being a gentleman 
of the 'ild Southern school. 

To the subject and wife were born eight children, namely : Lunsiord 
was a member of Company E, Thirty-sixth Virginia Regiment, Brecken- 
ridge"s division, Early's corps; he was captured by the Federals, but was 
pardoned ami eventually he joined his familj and came to Indiana; Zadock, 
deceased; Alary Margaret married Dr. M. M. Morgan, and both are now de- 
ceased; William Wirt, deceased; Theodore T. is a successful merchant in 
Hazelton; Esther Jane; Martha A., now Mrs. Crowe, resides on Thorne Hill; 
Tillie Belle. Esther Jane, mentioned above, is the widow of W. S. Kelley, 
who was a prominent attorney of Chicago. They made their home in 
Oklahoma, where Airs. Kelley has considerable property. Her son, Wayne 
Scott Kelley, is the author of a number of popular stories, he writing under 
the nom de plume of "'Six Shot Shortie."' Lillie Belle married Marcellus 
i toward Decker and is living on part of the old home place. They have four 
children: Marcellus Overton, the owner of the ferry across White river; 
1 1 . ula Belle. wh<> has been teaching in the Hazelton schools for the last seven 
years; Alphonso and Alberta are twins. Alphonso is at home and Alberta, 
who married Fred B. McNiece, is living near Hazelton. 

Mrs. Crowe and her sister. Mrs. Kelley, who occupy the residence. 

"Thorne Hill," are greal lovers of 1 ks, are broad-minded in their views 

and are ladies of exceeding culture. 



HENR. i' PHILLIPS. 



There is no positive rule for achieving success, and yet in the life of the 
successful man there are always many lemons which might well he followed. 
The man who gains prosperity is he who can see and utilize the opportunities 
that come in his path. The essential conditions of human life are ever the 
same, the surroundin individuals differing but slightly, and when 

man passes another on the highway of life to reach thi rity 

ore other- who perhaps Mailed oul before him. it is because he has the 
1 lower to use advantages which probably encompass the whole human race. 
4) 



85O GIBSON COUNTY, INDIANA. 

Today among the prominent citizens and successful business men of Hazleton, 
Gibson county, Indiana, stands Henry P. Phillips. The qualities of keen dis- 
crimination, sound judgment and executive ability enter very largely into his 
make-up and have been contributing elements to the material success which 
has come to him. 

Henry P. Phillips was born near Union, Pike county. Indiana, October 
23, 1864, the son of John G. and Alary J. (Sullivan) Phillips, both natives of 
Gibson county, he of Washington township, and she of near Hazleton. The 
father of John Phillips was also named John. John Phillips, Sr., was of 
Irish stock and after coming to America he settled in North Carolina and 
after living there for a short time, removed to Tennessee. But a brief period 
was spent in that state, the grandfather's family soon removing to Indiana 
and locating in Gibson county. Here they spent the rest of their days, the 
grandfather reaching the age of seventy. The father of the subject of this 
review continued the work of cultivating the home place until his death oc- 
curred April 29, 1868. 

To John G. and Mary J. Phillips were born the following children : 
William Franklyn died at the age of fifteen years; Nannie is the wife of J. P. 
L. Weems, an attorney at Vincennes, Indiana; the subject, and a child that 
died in infancy. The mother, after the death (if the father, was married to 
Fred Gowen and lives at Giro, Indiana. 

The subject of this sketch spent his boyhood days in Washington town- 
ship in the northern part of the county. On September 16, 1892, he was 
married to Zora Brice, of Hazleton, Indiana the daughter of William Brice. 
a pioneer of Gibson county. To this union have been born eight children, 
namely : Ruth, who is a teacher in White River township ; Grace, living at 
home, is a music teacher; Mary, Cecil, Edith, Maurice and Brice are in school ; 
Frank died in infancy. 

After the subject's marriage he was engaged in the operation of a port 
able saw mill for some years, but the timber in the community becoming 
--career each year, he decided to locate permanently in Hazleton, where he es- 
tablished his present busine>s in tqoj. Here a large local business has been 
built up, he handling a large amount of Southern pine, most of bis other grades 
of lumber also coming from the South. In addition to his large lumber busi- 
ness, he also handles cement, plaster and building materials. Mr. Phillips has 
conducted his business on a plane that has won for him a respected place in 
the commercial world, and has gained for him an enviable position among the 
public-spirited and progressive citizens of Gibson county. His residence, at 



GIBSON COUNTY, INDIANA. 85I 

the corner of Brown and Second streets, adjoining his lumber yard, is all 
that a modern home should be. and a spirit of genuine hospitality pervades it 
at all times. 

Mr. Phillips efficiently served his township as trustee for the four years 
from 1905 until 1909. Fraternally, he is a past master in the Masonic blue 
lodge, while he has passed thr< mgh all the chairs in the Independent Order of 
Odd Fellows. 



JAMES S. MOWRY. 



One oi the conspicuous names on the list of Gibson county agriculturists 
is James S. Mowry, a gentleman of high standing, to whom has not been 
denied a full measure .of success. !.<> ed as a factor of importance 

in connection with the farming and stock raising industries here, he has been 
prominently identified with the material growth and prosperity of this part 
of the state, his life having been closely interwoven with the history of the 
county where he has been content to live and follow his chosen vocation for 
nearly three-quarters of a century. 

James S. Mowry was born September 10, [839, in Montgomery town- 
ship, Gibson county, the son of Jacob and Margarel 1 Summers) Mowry, the 
lather being born in 1 77S in Shenandoah county, Virginia, the mother being 
'also a native of the Old Dominion. 

Jacob Mowry, father of the subject, came to Indiana with his parents in 
pioneer da\ s. they first locating in I larrison count) . and later removed to < lib- 
son county, settling in Montgomen township, where land was purchased and 
a home place established. I [ere subject's father spent his entire life, lie died 
in 1850, and the subject's mother passed to her reward in [844. Jacob 
Mowry was twice married and to the first union were born five children. By 
his second marriage eight children were born, namely: George, now deceased, 
a fanner in ( libson county ; I )elila, also deceased, the wife of Nelson Johnson : 
Polly, deceased, married James Sargent; .Margaret first married William 
King and then |olm Alsop, and she is new deceased; Robert died in Illinois; 
Anna, deceased, the wife of Thomas Mewcomb; Ella, deceased; the subject. 
Jacob Mowry, the subject's father, was an expert millwright and in polities 
gave his support to the Democratic party. 

James Mowry's chances for obtaining an education were very meager, 
his only schooling being one short three-months term. At the age of seven 
years he was hound out to Joseph Wasson for a year and a half, after which 



852 GIBSON COUNTY. INDIANA. 

he lived with Abram Mauch, Sr., until he reached his fifteenth year, when, Mr. 
iVIauch dying, he took up his abode with a cousin, Joseph Summers. Remain- 
ing with Mr. Summers for four years, the subject struck out for himself and 
engaged in farm work for about a year, when, the Civil war breaking out, he 
enlisted in the army, his service beginning August 6, 1861, as a member of 
Company F, Thirty-third Indiana Volunteer Infantry. After being recruited 
to full war strength in Princeton, the company left for Indianapolis, where 
the regiment was organized and outfitted, and in a short time sent to Lex- 
ington, Kentucky, where they took part in the battle of Wild Cat. From this 
point the command to which Mr. Mowry was attached was dispatched to 
Tennessee, and at Thompson's Station, Tennessee, Mr. Mowry was captured 
and sent to Libby prison for thirty-nine days. However, he was fortunate 
in being among the early exchanges, and was taken to City Point and from 
there to Annapolis, Maryland, by boat. Here he was granted a ten days' 
furlough and returned to Indianapolis and then home for a brief visit. At 
the expiration of his leave of absence, Air. Mowry, in June, 1863, rejoined 
his comrades at Franklin, Tennessee, and was engaged in the- Atlanta cam- 
paign, receiving an honorable discharge from his country's service at Atlanta, 
Georgia, in September, 1864. While in the army Mr. Mowry contracted 
rheumatism, from which he has since suffered a great deal. 

The subject of this review has been twice married. His first marriage 
occurred May 28, 1803. to Ophelia Hanks, daughter of James S. and Rose 
(McMullen) Hanks, who came to Gibson county, Indiana, in 1810, and 
located in 1'atoka township, one and one-half miles southwest of Princeton. 
The parents of subject's wife are now deceased, and she died March 9, 1905. 
Mr. Mowry's first union was blessed by the birth of four children: Sarah D., 
deceased; < Iscar F., a farmer in Patoka township, who married Anna Dakin; 
William, a printer in Princeton, who married Isabelle Able; Ross, who died 
in his twelfth year. 

In November, 1907, the subject was united in marriage to Maria L. 
Kendel tlit widow of James M. Kcndel, a farmer of Patoka township, who 
died in 1868. By her first marriage Mrs. Kendel had two children: Perry A. 
is a farmer in Morris count}'. Kansas, and married Emma Chastine; Cather- 
ine Elizabeth married Ulysses Collins, of Chicago, Illinois. 

Subject's second wife was a daughter of Frederick and Elizabeth (Cal- 
vin ) Brown. Her father. Frederick Brown, was born in 1787 in Pennsyl- 
vania, and her mother was a native of Kentucky. He first located in Greene 
county. Tennessee, after leaving his home state, later removing to Harrison 



GIBSON COUNTY, INDIANA. 853 

county Indiana, in i.Sm. and then to Gibson county, abo . settling in 

Patoka township, where he followed agricultural pursuits until his death. He 
first married Sarah Kohl, of Tennessee, and to this union were bon 
children: David, Mary Ann. Daniel, John. Elizabeth, Abraham and Kale. 
Ij\ her father's second marriage Mr-. Mowry was the only child. 

At the close of the Civil war James S. Mowry located in Patoka town- 
ship, southwest of Princeton, and purchased land, which he fanned for si 
years, lie removed to Princeton in [909, and then located at his present 
place, known as "Taft Town." a short distat t of the city, where 

he bought a small place and has since resided. For man) year- Mr. Mowry 
worked at the carpenter's trade, and later was in the grocery business in 
Princeton for six year-. 

Mrs Mowry's grandfather, George Brown, was a soldier in the Ameri- 
can Revolution, serving in the Colonial army for eight years. Her mother 
was first married to William Cochran, a Gibson county farmer, and the) 
were the parents of eighl children: Joseph II.. James \Y.. Nancy, Mary Ann. 
Jane. Cynthia, William and Melinda. Mrs. Mowry was horn December [8, 
1842. 

James S. Mowry belongs to Post No. 28, Grand Army of the Republic, 
at Princeton, and is a member of the Methodist Episcopal church, while his 
wife belongs to the General Baptist church. 



SAMUEL O. MARVEL. 



To a great extent the pro, pent) of the agricultural section- of our coun- 
try is due to the honesl industry, the sturdy persistence, the unswerving per- 
severance and the wise economy which so prominently characterize the farm- 
ing element of the Hoi >sier state. Ann mg this class may be mentii med Samuel 
Marvel, the subject of this life record, who by reason of year- of inde- 
fatigable labor and honest effort, has not onl) acquired a well-merited ma- 
terial prosperity, but has also richly earned the highest esteem of all with 
whom he i- associated. On his farm of one hundred and eighty-two acres 
of well located land in MontgomeV) township, this count), he carries on gi 
eral farming and stock raising in a manner that attests In- business ability. 

Samuel O. Marvel was horn in [849 in the southern portion of Mont- 
gomery township, in the vicinity of hi- present home, lie i- the son of 
James, born in [803, hut the place of whose birth i> doubtful. Hi- father. 



854 GIBSON COUNTY, INDIANA. 

Prettyman Marvel, removed from their original home in Delaware to Geor- 
gia, and it is uncertain whether James was born before or after their move, 
but it is probable Georgia was his birthplace. However, he was but a small 
child when his father, Prettyman Marvel, and family came to Gibson county, 
settling first where Fort Branch now is (that was in 1808), and in 181 1 
entered the land where the immediate subject of this sketch now lives, and 
lived there to a good old age. The last year or two of Prettyman Marvel's 
life was spent in Illinois, whither he had journeyed to see a son. Travel was 
very wearisome in those days, and as he became quite feeble while there, he 
was unable to make the return journey and died there in 1854. 

James Marvel, who was five years old when his parents brought him to 
Gibson county, grew' to manhood on his father's farm. He took as his wife 
Comfort Knowles, a native of Kentucky and the daughter of David Knowles. 
He came to Gibson county about 1810, and purchasing land a short distance 
south of where Samuel O. Marvel now resides, passed the remainder of his 
life there. After his marriage, James Marvel lived on his father's place, 
buying ground from time to time until he had accumulated some four hun- 
dred acres. The}- were the parents of eleven children, only three of whom 
are living: David. James I., and Samuel O.. the immediate subject of this 
sketch. William K. died March 9, 1914. James Marvel and wife were con- 
sistent members of the Methodist Episcopal church and gave much of their 
time and substance to forward the cause of that denomination. He died in 
1885, and her death occurred two years earlier. 

Samuel O. Marvel grew to manhood on the old homestead of his father 
and grandfather and when a young man went to Franklin county, Illinois, 
where he purchased a farm and lived for about ten years. While there, in 
1872, he was united in marriage with Parthena Bailey, a native of Franklin 
county. Illinois, daughter of James and Catherine (Launius) Bailey. In 
[884 Samuel 0. Marvel moved his family back to the old homestead in 
Montgomery township, ami here he has since made his home and carried 011 
his business. Eight children were born to the union of Samuel O. and Par- 
thena Bailey Marvel, namely: James l\.. who lives near his father and whose 
wife was Elsie Knowles; Lewis, who remains at home with his father; David 
Byron, who is engaged in the hardware business at Owensville, where he re- 
sides. His wife was Ora E. Knowles and they have one daughter, Tlryra C. 
Iola, who hecame the wife of Ora Rogers, lives in Arkansas and is the 
mother of two children, Mona and Wilbur. Minnie, who is Mrs. John Mont- 



GIBSON COUNTY, INDIANA. 855 

gomery, of Owensville, has one daughter, Rita. Ethel is the wife of Magnus 
Montgomery, who is in the hardware business in ( )wensville. A little daugh- 
ter, Mattie, died when nol quite thirteen years old and the) also lost an infanl 
son, Ralph. Parthena Bailey Marvel died in [902, and in [904 Mr. Marvel 
again married, his bride being Alary Launius, a cousin of hi- first wife. She 
was hern in Franklin county, Illinois, a daughter of Thomas and Elizabeth 
Launius. 

Mr. Marvel's religious sympathies are with the Cumberland Presbyterian 
church, of which he is a consistent member, and Air-. Marvel In. Id- her 
church membership with the Missionary Baptist church. There is very much 
that is commendable in the life record of this man. for he has been found 
true to duty in every relation, whether of a public or private character, and 
while energy and industry have been salient features of his business career, 
he is equally well known for his uprightness and the honorable methods he 
has always followed, and tor his loyalty t" any trust reposed in him. Because 
of his genial and unassuming disposition and his genuine worth, he enjoys a 
well-deserved popularity throughout this county. 



EWIN I) \I.L\S HULFISH. 

Among the eldest newspaper men of the state is Ewin Dallas Hulfish, 
who published the first newspaper ever printed in ( Iwensville, Gibson county, 
Indiana, lie has been actively engaged in the printing business for 'he last 
forty-five years, and is said in he the oldest active printer in the state of In- 
diana, lie was born August j:,. [849, in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, and 
was a s,:ii of David and Rebecca (Carpenter) Hulfish. Ilis father was a 
native of New fersey and his mother was born in Philadelphia. Ewin D. 
Hulfish was only six wars of age when his parents moved to Princeton, In- 
diana, and a year later settled in Owensville, in this county, where 
mained for the rest of their lives. David Hulfish was ;i shoemaker by trade, 
and followed that occupation successfully throughout his life. 

Ewin D. is the only child living of the seven born to his parent-. He 
received a very limited common school education and before he was of 
he learned the shoemaker's trade and also followed carriage painting for a 
time By the time he was twenty-one year- of age he had learned the rudi- 
ments of the printer's trade and in that same year started the publication of 
the '» ws, which soon suspended, lie i- now sole 



N:» GIBSON COUNTY, INDIANA. 

owner and publisher of the Star-Echo. The paper is recognized as an in- 
fluence for good in the community, as its editor uniformly takes a stand on 
the right side of all questions affecting the public welfare. 

Mr. Hulfish was twice married, his first wife being Dora Sherrill. of 
McMinnville, Tennessee, to whom he was married on September 2, 1869, 
She was a daughter of Uriah and Charlotte (Martin) Sherrill, and to this 
union there was born one son, David S., who is now a resident of England, 
where he is employed by the British government in installing an automatic 
telephone exchange'. Some years after the death of his first wife, Mr. Hul- 
fish married Maggie E. Spore on .May 5, 1886, the daughter of Elbert W. 
and Nancy (Cochran) Spore, and there were three children born to this 
second marriage: Stephen, who is now foreman of the Star-Echo, and 
Emma Lee and Roderick, who are still at home. 

Politically, Mr. Hulfish has affiliated with the Democratic party since 
he became of age, and Iris alv :■■.■ 5 advocated the principles of that party. He 
is greatly interested in music, and organized and was leader of the first 
Owensville brass band. He had the honor of drawing the first check paid by 
an ( )wensville bank and also purchased the first postoffice money order which 
was issued by the Owensville postoffice. 



JOHN C. GORMAN. 

It is generally acknowledged fact that journalism is one of the most im- 
portant factors in twentieth-century life, exerting as it does an influence on 
practically every department of society. This relation is just as actual and 
potent in the smaller cities and towns as in the large cities, and he who directs 
the policy of a newspaper or wields the pen which gives expression to that 
policy, exerts a personal control over local thought and action that is not 
equaled by any other profession. Among the newspaper men of Gibson 
county who have, l>v their progressive attitude toward local affairs, contributed 
in a very definite measure to the advancement of the community, is the gen- 
tleman whose name appears above and who is successfully publishing the 
Princeton Democrat. 

John C. Gorman, the son of George W. and Mary A. ( McOuaid) Gor- 
man, was born in Owensville, Indiana, December 12, 1866. His father was a 
native of Connecticut and was sent west as an orphan child to Terre Haute, 
where he was apprenticed to a printer. After serving his appresticeship in the 




/t 



,£ 



^•V^^^ ^€^>c a» 



GIBSON COl N n . IMH \.\A. 857 

Terre Haute office he wenl to the Evansville Journal, wliere he remained for 
a number of years. Upon the outbreak of the Mexican war, in [846, he en- 
listed as a private ami served the full two years in the war with Mexico, Uing 
mustered out as a sergeant. Upon his return he went to ( )wensville, where he 
spenl the rest of In- life in business. When the Civil war broke out he was 
still filled with the patriotic zeal which fired nun of younger years and or- 
gan: Mpany II, Seventeenth Regiment, Indiana Volunti intry, in 
( libson county, lie entered the service as a major and later was promoted to 
lieutenant-colonel of the same regiment. Later he resigned his commission 
and returned to Indiana, where he w; lisisoned by Governoi 
organize the One Hundred Twentieth Mounted Infantry at Vmcennes. This 
he accomplished to the i atisfaction of the governor and turned over 
the regiment to him for mustering in, although he did not himself go with the 
regiment. He served two and one-half years in the Seventeenth Regimenl 
and saw service in some of the hardest fought battles of the war. Mr. and 
Mrs. George W. Gorman reared a family of six children: James 
ceased: George C. ; Agnes, deceased; Florence, Emma and John 1 George 
VV. Gorman died in August, [887, his widow surviving him twenty years, her 
death occurring in February, [907. 

John ( '. Gorman was educated in the common and the hools of 

Owensville, Indiana. When a small boy he started to learn the printer's trade 
and by the time he was through high school he had learned the mechanical end 
of the business. By the time he was seventeen years of age he was a full- 
fledged printer and able to make his living b) the trade. At the age of thirteen 
he began to work in the office of the Owensville Echo and at eighteen he wenl 
to Princeton, where he entered the office of one of the papers, serving in dif- 
ferent capacities. His first work was on the G 1 leader, From 
there he went to the Princeton Democrat; then to the Princeton Clarion, after 
which he went to Poseyville, Indiana, where lie took charge of the Poseyville 
News for two years. All the time he was gaining valuable experience and 
perfecting himself in the management of a newspaper, and at the expiration 
his two wars' service in Poseyville, he returned to Owensville and pur- 
chased a job office, which he continued to operate until ( (ctober, [888, at which 
time he started the Owensville Gleaner, a weekly paper. He published this 
until March, [895, when he sold it out and went to Princeton, wdicrc he pur- 
chased the Princeton Democrat, buying the controlling interest. Tie lias been 
the controlliiiL; factor in this paper for the past nineteen years and has greatly 
enlarged and improved the paper in that time and is now the owner. When he 



858 GIBSON COUNTY, INDIANA. 

took charge of it, it only had four pages and only two of those were printed in 
Princeton. It is now an eight-page daily and also he issues a semi-weekly. 
In 1896 he moved his office and equipment to a better location and the weekly 
was changed to a semi-weekly, and the morning daily was made an afternoon 
paper. As a newspaper man he ranks among the leaders in his section of the 
state, and the Democratic party finds in him one of the spokesmen for the 
principles and policies of the party. Recently, Mr. Gorman has been recom- 
mended by the congressman from this district for the position of postmaster 
of Princeton. 

' Mr. Gorman was married in September, 1891, to Mary L. McGinnis, the 
daughter of James P. and Melissa (Mauck) McGinnis. both of whom were 
natives of Gibson county. To Mr. and Mrs. Gorman have been born three 
children, Helen E., Georgia and John. Jr. Mrs. Gorman died December 
15, 1896. She was a lady of sterling worth, whose many kindly deeds and 
loving ministrations will be remembered in the neighborhood in which she 
lived and which was made better by her presence and influence. 

Mr. Gorman is a stanch adherent of the Democratic party, and as an 
editor in this community he has wielded a wide influence in the councils of 
his party. Fraternally, he is a charter member of the Knights of Pythias at 
Owensville, and was one of the charter members of the lodge of Benevolent 
and Protective Order of Elks at Princeton and is a member of the Sons of 
Veterans. Personally, he is affable and popular with the people in his city 
and ready at all times to lend his aid to all laudable measures which have for 
their object the general good of the community. By a life consistent in 
motive and because of his many good qualities he has earned the sincere 
regard of all who know him, and his success in the newspaper field has been 
one well merited. 



JOHN T. ALEBRIGHT. 



The office of biography is not to give voice to a man's modest estimate 
of himself and his accomplishments, but rather to leave upon the record the 
verdict establishing his character by the consensus of opinion on the part of 
bis neighbors and fellow citizens. In touching upon the life history of the 
subject of this sketch the writer aims to avoid fulsome encomium and extrav- 
agant praise; vet he desires to hold up for consideration those facts which 
have shown the distinction of a true, useful and honorable life — a life char- 



GIBSON COUNTY, [NDIANA. 859 

acterized by perseverance, energy, broad charity and well-defined purpose. 
To do this will be bul b > reiterate the .dictum pn »n< nmced up< m the man by the 
people who have known him long and well. 

John T. Allbright was born in ( >ctober, [838, in Martin county, Indiana. 
the son of John W. and Eliza (Jones) Allbright, who were both natives of 
Martin county. The Allbright family are of German stock and settled in 
Pennsylvania mam yeai and members of the family have been pro 

inent in the various localities in which thej have lived. The subject's mal 
nal ancestors were from Virginia. John W. Allbright received bul a limil 
school education, and practically his entire life was devoted to agricultural 
pursuits. He died at the comparatively early age of thirty-five years, his 
death having been caused by an injury received at a log rolling. He was sur- 
vived many years by his widow, who died at Oakland City, Indiana. They 
were the parents of six children, five sons and a daughter, namely: John I 
the immediate subject of this sketch; David, who lives at New Harmony, 
Indiana: Mary, of Pittsburg, Kansas; lame-, deceased; Thomas, who lives 
in Minnesota, and Joel, of Edwardsville, Illinois. 

John T. Allbright attended the schools of his home neighborhood and 
remained with his mother until his marriage, in [860, when he and his wife 
removed to Shoals. Indiana, where they resided until iNNj. While living at 
Shoals, Indiana, on August 14, [862, Mr. Allbright enlisted a- a private in 
Company A. Seventeenth Regiment, Indiana Volunteer Infantry, and accom- 
panied his command to Indianapolis, where the; n fitted oul and were th 
sent s,,uth to Green river and ' rdsville, Kentucky. On Novem- 

ber j~. 1862, the subject was taken sick at Gallatin, Tennessee, and was m 
the hospital from December j~. [862, until February 1. [863. IK- then went 
hack t<i Murfreesboro, and on June 24, 1863, was in the battle of Hoover's 
Gap mi Duck river; then the command went to I hattanooga, where they 
went into camp for a while Later they went to Ringgold, Georgia, and thence 
to Rock Springs, where they were detailed to guard bridges. Returning to 
1 hattanooga and Murfreesboro, the command later went to Shelbyville, and 
took part in the battle at that place and then went on to near Rogersville. 
Alabama, from which place they returned t<> Pulaski. The subject then came 
home "ii furlough in January, [864, and took the smallpox, being confined 
In quarters from January until April. Rejoining hi- regiment at Pulaski. 
Tennessee, he re-enlisted as a veteran and was sent to Nashville, Tennessee. 
where his command was assigned to General Wilson's division. The r< 
ment went I" Macon, a, where they remained until the close of the war. 



8l I ) GIBSON COUNTY, INDIANA. 

receiving their discharge at Nashville, Tennessee, on June 27, 1865. and at 
once came to Indianapolis, where they were paid off and mustered out. Mr. 
Allbright had many close calls from injury during his service, taking part in 
all of the battles in Rogers' campaign, in which his regiment participated, as 
far as he was able. He is now an honored member of the Grand Army post 
at Oakland City, Indiana. In 1887 Mr. and Mrs. Allbright moved to I >ak- 
land City, Indiana, where he followed the shoemaking and harness-making 
trades, which he had learned in 1857, and which he has followed during prac- 
tically all of his active life. He is well known in Gibson county, where he has 
won a host of warm personal friends and where he has built up a large and 
profitable business by strict attention to his affairs and courteous treatment of 
his customers. 

In i860 Mr. Allbright was married to Amanda Teney, of Aurora, In- 
diana, and to them have been born the following children: Alice, the wife of 
William Cook, of Linton, Indiana : 1 ieorge, of Los Angeles, California, while 
four children died in early life. Religiously, Mr. Allbright is an earnest 
member of the Christian church, to which he gives a liberal support of his 
means and substance. Mr. Allbright is a man of splendid influence- in his 
community, having been an industrious man and made an honorable career. 
setting a worthy example to the younger generation of his community. He 
is a public-spirited man and can always lie counted on to support the right 
side of any movement involving the moral, educational or social welfare oi 
his fellow citizens. 



WILLIAM L. LEISTER. 



The subject of this sketch, William L. Leister, a well-known physician 
of Oakland City, Indiana, is descended from a line of sterling pioneer an- 
cestry. His paternal grandparents, Dr. David and Elizabeth ( Richey) Leis- 
ter, were residents of McCracken county, Kentucky. There, in the year [818, 
was l.orn to them a son, William R., who in early youth suffered the loss of 
his parents by death. Thereafter he made his home with his maternal uncle, 
Simeon Richey, in Scott township, Wmderburg county, Indiana. 

In the year 1S40 William R. Leister married Mary, second daughter of 
William and Elizabeth (Marcus) Rogers. f Vanderburg county. To this 
union four children reached majority, three sons and one daughter: David 
R., Benjamin Franklin, William Leroy and Mary Elizabeth. Of these sons, 
David R. enlisted at the outbreak of die war of the Rebellion in 1861. in 



GIBSON COUNTY, INDIANA. 86l 

Company A, Fifty-eighth Regiment Indiana Volunteer infantry, with which 
he served three years, participating in the important engagements in which 
his regiment took pan. including the battle of Chickamauga. Soon after tin- 
close of the war he began the study and practice of medicine, making In- 
home at Oakland I it} until in the year [875, when he went to Arkansas, in 
which state he resided during the remainder of his life. lie died at his ho 
in Ellsworth, Logan county, Arkansas, June u, mot, in his sixty-first 
of age. 

Benjamin F. Leister was also a soldier 111 the Civil war, having enlisted 
in the summer of [861, at Vincennes, Indiana, in Company K, Twenty- 
fourth Regiment Indiana Volunteer Infantry, and was with his regiment in 
all its campaigns. In the battle of Champion's Hill, Mississippi, he received a 
mortal wound and died on the battlefield. 

William L. Leister, the immediate subject of this sketch, was born June 
the 14th, 1847, near the village of l.ynnville, Warrick county, Indiana, where 
his parents resided at that time, coming with his family to Gibson county in 
the fall of 1854. The youth received a common school education, and owing 
to the calamity of total blindness which he fell the senior I >octi 11 I .eister in the 
fall 'if 1803. the son was denied a complete collegiate training, but as much 
as possible he made amends for this deprivation. While providing sub- 
sistence for his parents and for his own family be secured the assistance of 
a noted teacher. Professor Lee Tomlin, then principal of the Oakland City- 
Normal Institute, and was enabled to become proficient in English and in 
Latin, studying through the ichool years 1875. '70, '77 ami 'j^. 

Doctor Leister matriculated in the Eclectic Medical College of Cincin- 
nati, Ohio, in the fab of 1808. \fter attending part of hair different years, 
the Doctor was graduated from the above named school of medicine in June. 
1884. 

September the it .th. [869, Doctor Luster was united in marriage to Sue 
L. VanZandt, daughter of lames and Mary \\\\ (Fisher) VanZandt, 
pioneers of Gib 1 tity. To this union Gail, Lloyd, Stanley, Mary Nexy 

and Josephine were born. In the year 1899, al Rogers, Arkansas, the wife 
of Doctor Leister passed away. 

November 7, 1901, the Doctor married Carrie Lesbia Tubbs, daughter 
of Levi M. and Arvilla I Frisby) Tubbs. York state people. 

In tbi' fall of 1905 bis children having settled to themselves, Dot 

Leister, with hi- wife, returned to his ,.1.1 boyh 1 In. me. Oakland City, 

Indiana. 



' S ' >- GIBSON COUNTY, INDIANA. 

At present Doctor Leister is associate editor and medical book reviewer 
for the American Medical Journal of St. Louis, Missouri, having held this 
position the last twelve years. This well known publication is now in its 
forty-second year of existence. 

Politically. Doctor Leister has always affiliated with the Republican party, 
though his professional engagements have necessarily prevented him from 
taking active part in political affairs. In his y< lunger days the Doctor had 
been given to materialistic reasonings, but after he reached the summit of 
life's way, and when the shadow's began to lengthen, he saw more clearlv the 
will of the blaster and more firmly believed in a happy immortality. He is 
a member of the Methodist Episcopal church and gives liberal support to that 
society, yet he is broad in his religious views and acknowledges fellowship 
with all religious bodies. 

In addition to his creditable career in his profession the Doctor has also 
proved an honorable member of the body politic, rising in the confidence and 
esteem of the public and in every relation of life he has never fallen below the 
dignity oi true manhood, nor resorted in any way to methods that have in- 
vited criticism. 



JOHN WILLIS SMITH. 



Indefatigable industry, sound business judgment and wise management 
have been the elements which have contributed to the success achieved by John 
Willis Smith, enterprising and progressive fanner of A 1 oiitgomery township, 
Gibson county, ami director in the ( Iwensville Banking Company. His farm 
is well improved and highly productive, being numbered among the best farms 
of the township in which he lives, and because of his high character and un- 
questioned integrity, he enjoys to a marked degree the sincere respect of the 
community. 

John Willis Smith was born January 10, [857, in Logan county, Illinois, 
near Atlanta, the son of Warrick and Margaret (Simpson) Smith. His 
father was originally from Gibson county, Indiana, having been born in 
Owensville. September 23. 1831, but directly after his marriage in 1856 he 
took his bride to Logan county, Illinois, with the intention of making their 
permanent home there. They remained there until 1868, carrying on farming 
and running a livery stable in the town of Atlanta, when they returned to 
Gibson county. Warrick Smith then purchased from his wife's father, John 



GIBSON COUNTY, INDIANA. 863 

C. Simpson, their old home near Owensville, and there they passed the re- 
mainder of their lives and reared their family. There were four children 
born to them, one dying in infancy. Of the remaining three, John Willis, 
the immediate subject of this sketch, is the oldesl of the family, George Wash 
ington Smith is a retired farmer living in Owensville, and Lillie, the only 
daughter, is the wife of Charles Murnahan of the same place. 

Warrick Smith, father of the subject of this -ketch, was the only son of 
Doctor \\ illis J. Smith, one of the pioneer physicians of Gibson county, who 
came here from Danville, Kentucky, his birth-place, in early days. He was 
born about the year 1800, received an excellent education, finishing his medical 
training in Louisville, Kentucky, and came directly to Gibson county to take 
up his life work. He was a man of parts, broad minded and liberal beyond 
his time; in fact, a man many years in advance of his day and age. For 
several years he carried on an extensive practice over a large section, winning 
all with whom he came in contact through his charming personality and 
sterling worth. He won the friendship of the Indians who still roamed the 
forests hereabout and was by them considered a sort of demi-god. He died 
what seemed an early death for one so promising, departing this life in his 
thirty-sixth year. His wife was Patsy C. Warrick, daughter of Captain Jacob 
Warrick, whose history is closely associated with the early history of Gibson 
county, and who is often mentioned elsewhere 111 this volume. 

Warrick Smith was a worthy son of his excellent father and in his time 
was considered a leading citizen of VIontgomen township, lie took an 
active interest in political affairs, giving his stanch support to the Democrat 
party, and while he never sought office for himself, was known as a man of 
influence, lie was a member of the ancient order of Fre< and Accepted 
Masons and also a member of the General Baptisl church, giving of his time 
and substance to further the cause of that society. His deatb occurred in 
[902, while his wife departed this life mi January 24, 1895. 

John Willis Smith was eleven years old when bis parents returned to Gib- 
son count)' after their sojourn in Illinois, and he attended the schools of 
Owensville for a time after that. \t the early age of twenty-one be began 
to show his business ability and foresight, and rented a tract of land, putting 
in a crop >i wheal which made him excellent returns. From this he gol his 
financial start. 1 le purchased forty acres of swamp land, considered not valu- 
able, but by the time he bad cleared and drained it. he had an excellent piece 
of farming land. When this was paid for, he added other tracts from time 
to time until be bad accumulated almost five hundred acres of bottom land. 



Si 4 GIBSON COUNTY, INDIANA. 

This he later sold to William Watson and in turn purchased three hundred 
and siNteen acres of excellent ground north of Owensville. In addition to 
general fanning, he devotes his especial attention to the raising of pure blood 
Hereford cattle and has about thirty registered head. He also gives par- 
ticular attention to breeding an excellent strain of Percheron draught horses. 
In addition to his farming and stock raising interests, he is a director of the 
Owensville Banking Company, which company he helped organize and in 
which he has been since interested. 

Mr. Smith has never married. He is a member of the time-honored 
order of Freemasonry and politically gives his support to the Democratic part}-. 
At one time he was quite active in the affairs of that party, but of late years 
business has too closely claimed his attention. By his persistent advocacy of 
wholesome living, pure policies and honesty in business, Mr. Smith has long 
enjoyed the undivided respect and esteem of all who know him, being re- 
garded a- one of Gibson county's most substantial and worthy citizens, and 
therefore, merits representation in a work of the nature of the one at hand. 



WILLIAM ROY GENUNG. M. D. 

The final causes which, shape the fortunes of individual men and the 
destinies of states are often the same. They are usually remote and obscure, 
their influence wholly unexpected until declared by results. When they in- 
spire men to the exercise of courage, self-denial, enterprise, industry and call 
into play the higher moral elements ; lead men to risk all upon conviction, 
faith — such causes lead to the planting of great states, great nations, great 
peoples. That country is the greatest which produces the greatest and most 
manly men, and the intrinsic safety depends not so much upon methods and 
measures as upon that true manhood from whose deep sources all that is 
precious and permanent in life must at last proceed. Such a result may not 
be consciously contemplated by the individuals instrumental in the production 
of a country; pursuing each his personal good by exalted means, they work 
out this as a logical result: they have wrought on the lines of the greatest 
good. In reviewing the life of one such individual, we look back over the 
pathwav he has trod and note its usefulness — its points worthy of emulation 
and perpetuation. What William Roy Genung, of Fort Branch, Indiana, has 
done for his fellow- men and the community in general might, in a manner, be 
told in words, but in its far-reaching influences cannot be measured. He has 




WILLIAM R. GENUNG, M. D. 



GIBSON COUNTY, INDIANA. 865 

been in touch with the people, and from a sincere and deep-felt interest in 
their welfare has labored for all that would pi public benefit, his position 

as one of his county's representative citizen.-, being cheerfully conceded by all 
w ho km '\v him. 

The genealogical record of the Genung family has been written by several 
of the descendants, but that written by Alary Josephine Genung, now Mrs. L. 
M. Nichols, ol Ithaca, New York, is considered the most reliable. The name 
is variousl} spelled Genung, Ganong and Ganung being the forms most com- 
monlj used by the present generation. The Genungs now living in (dibson 
county are descended from Jean Guenon, who died previous to May 21. 1714. 
He wa- probably burn in the province of Saintonge, France, in the vicinity of 
LaRochelle. At the time of the persecution of the Huguenots because of their 
religiou belief, he, with others of that faith, went to Holland, where they 
first settled in Leyden. later going to Amsterdam. From the latter port Jean 
Genong sailed on-April _'. [657, in the ship "Draevat," under Captain Uester- 
vaer, and after a long and tedious voyage, landed at New Amsterdam, now 
New York. From the fact that he was noted on the list of passengers, it is con- 
cluded that he was not a child at that nine, lie settled at Flushing, Long 
Island, and among others was credited with being a property owner in records 
dated October 9, 1675. His will is dated November 24, 1703, at which time 
he was possessed of considerable property, which he divided among hi- so 
giving to Jeremiah forty acres and to John twenty-nine acres, leaving the bal- 
ance i<i his estate to bis "beloved wife, Mararch." The military records con- 
tain the names of twenty-three members of this famil) who took part in the 
war of the Revolution, which is a very creditable record. Among the de- 
scendants of this emigrant and his wife was Elam Genung, son of Stephen 
Genung, who was born on .May 27. 170'.'. at Genungtown -t Madison. 

Xew Jersey), and died November 5. [845. He was an ordained preacher of 
the Methodist Episcopal church, and one of the first pastors at the Mt. Horeb 
Methodist Episcopal church in Warren township. Somerset county, Xew Jer- 
sey. From September 1 to December 2. 1814, he was in the United States 
service as one of Captain Carter's riflemen, ami eventually removed to the 
Indiana, where he died. On January 1;. 1S20. he was married to 
Elizabeth Tucker, who was born on September 8, [801, and who died in 
November, [833. She was a daughter of Joseph and Deborah | Linn ) Tucker, 
and the mother of six children. The third in order of birth of these children 
wa- Dr. William Roy Genung, who was born in Somerset county, Xew Ter- 
55) 



866 GIBSON COUNTY, INDIANA. 

sey, on March iS, 1827. When five years of age he moved to Indiana with 
his parents and received his elementary education in the common schools of 
that frontier state. Later he became a student in old Asbury College (now 
DePauvv University) at Greencastle, where he pursued his classical and liter- 
ary education, graduating in 1845. io him now belongs the distinction of 
being (in 1913) the oldest living graduate of that renowned educational in- 
stitution. Because of that fact he has been for over a year the holder of an 
alumni cane which formerly was the property of Thomas A. Goodwin, of In- 
dianapolis, and which is to be handed down to the oldest living graduate, by 
whom it is to be retained the remainder of his life. At the time of the Doc- 
tor's graduation, in 1845, the finances of the college did not permit of their 
having an engraved diploma, the graduates in that day receiving a written 
certificate. In 1910. at the commencement, which the Doctor attended while 
the diplomas were being distributed, the Doctor remarked on the good fortune 
of the graduates that they had diplomas, and that they had none in his time. 
Thereupon the dean of the university made it his business to look up the first 
plate made for the college, and the Doctor was presented with a certified 
diploma, sixty-five years after his graduation, which gave him particular 
pleasure. The class of '45 has given a number of notable men to the country, 
among whom may be mentioned John Wesley Childs, of Kansas City, Mis- 
souri; Hon. James Harlan and others. Immediately after graduating from 
Asbury College, Doctor Genung took up the study of medicine under the 
direction of Dr. Somerville E. Leonard, of Xew Albany. Indiana, with whom 
he continued his studies until 1849, when he entered the medical department 
of the University of Xew York, and after taking three full courses, was grad- 
uated with the degree of Doctor of Medicine. Immediately afterwards he 
made a visit to Fort Branch, where his stepmother then resided, and was 
induced to remain here, and entered at once upon the practice of his pro- 
fession, building up a large and successful clientele. During the subsequent 
years Doctor Genung was numbered among the most prominent and success- 
ful doctors in this section of the state, having practiced over a wide radius of 
the country, and in many families he doctored successive generations. He was 
very successful and accumulated much material wealth, being owner of several 
splendid tracts of farm land at the time of his death. He long held distinctive 
prestige in a calling which requires much patience, sound mentality and intel- 
lectual discipline of a high order, supplemented by rigid professional training 
and thorough mastery of technical knowledge, with the skill to apply the same, 
without which one cannot hope to rise above mediocrity in his profession. In 



GIBSON COUNTY, INDIANA. 867 

addition to his long and creditable career in one of the most useful and 
exacting pn rfessions, the I )octor also proved an hi morable member of the bod) 
politic, rising in the confidence and esteem of the public, and in every relation 
of life he never fell below the dignity of true manhood, nor in any way re- 
sorted to methods that invited criticism. In [883 the Doctor was elected a 
member of the Indiana state Legislature, where he served with credit to him- 
self and to the entire satisfaction of his constituents. Effectually a man 
among men, he ever moved as one who commanded respect by innate force, 
as well as by superior ability. As a citizen he easily ranked among the m 
influential of his compeer- in affairs looking toward the betterment of his 
home city and county. 

On June 17, 1866, Doctor Genung married Louisa Strain, daughter of 
Rev. T. M. and Mary ( Lagrange) Strain, and to them were horn the follow- 
ing children: Frances Lake who completed ucation at D< Pauw Uni- 
versity, was married on October 25, [886, to J. R. I [edden, representative of 
the Evansville & Terre Haute, now the Chicago & Eastern Illinois railroad, 
and whose death occurred in 1895. To Mr. and Mrs. Hedden were born the 
following children: Jessie May. the wife of Prof, llallam Walker Davis, of 
Manhattan, Kansas: Edith Louise, assistant principal of the Fort Branch 
high school, was also a graduate of DePauw University; John Richard, a 
traveling salesman; Horace Genung is represented in a later paragraph of this 
sketch: Bertha, the wife of W. C. I 'oik. of Fort Branch; Mary Elizabeth, the 
wife of R. M. Stormont, of Oakland City, and I [omer, who is also represented 
in a later paragraph. 

Horace Genung was horn at Fort Branch, Indiana, on February 7, 1N70. 
and secured his elementary education in the Fort Branch public schools, and 
attended the high school. He then entered DePauw University, and after 
finishing the course there, he returned to Fort Branch, and entered upon the 
management of the home farm, to which he devoted his attention for eight 
years. In 1893, owing to his wi fe's ill health, he rem. ,\ ed to < ;dif< irnia, where 
he remained three years, then returning to Fori Branch, he bought an interest 
in the Fort Branch Milling Company, of which he became superintendent. 
He continued purchasing stock in this enterprise, of which he eventually ob- 
tained the controlling interest, being now president and general manager. The 
original mill, which was built at King's Station about 1878. was later re- 
moved to Fort Branch, and man}- substantial and permanent improvemi 
have been made, Mr. Genung having -pent over ten thousand dollars in build- 
ings and equipment. The mill, which is up-to-date in every respect, has a daily 



Ni X GIBSON COUNTY, INDIANA. 

capacity of one hundred barrels. They buy corn and wheat, shipping the 
former and grinding the latter. Their favorite brand of flour bears the trade 
names of Seven Stars and Wild Rose. The former has an immense sale in 
the South, where it is considered a leading brand of flour. Mr. Genung is 
also a stockholder in the Farmers and Merchants Bank, and owns a farm one 
mile east of Fort Branch, which he has found a profitable source of income. 

In March, 1890, Horace Genung was married to Margaret Blessing, the 
daughter of John Blessing, a pioneer settler of Gibson county, and to this 
union has been born one child, John Roy, who is now a student in the medical 
department of Indiana University. Fraternally, Mr. Genung is an enthus- 
iastic member of the Masonic order, belonging to the chapter of Royal Arch 
Masons, and the Scottish Rite, in which he has taken the thirty-second degree. 
Religiously, he and his wife are members of the Methodist Episcopal church, 
of which he is a trustee and he is also actively interested in the Sunday 
school, being the present superintendent. 

Homer T. Genung was born at Fort Branch, Indiana, on February 12, 
[882, being the youngest child born to his parents. His early education was 
received in the public schools of Fort Branch, and after his graduation from 
the high school, he took a course at Purdue University. Upon the completion 
of his technical training, he and hK brother-in-law, \Y. C. Polk, purchased the 
drain tile plant which had been organized by Douglas & Polk some time during 
the sixties, and after being engaged in this enterprise for some time they in- 
stalled an electric light plant on the same premises, having continued since to 
supply the city of Fort Branch with commercial and public light. In 191 1 
the tile plant was dismantled, because of the fact that a silo business had been 
started which demanded their full attention. The latter business consists of 
the manufacture of forms used in the making of concrete silos, and they also 
manufacture forms for making cement grain storage buildings. This business 
has steadily increased and has necessitated the erection of a fine new plant, 
now in the course of construction, which will be one hundred and ten by one 
hundred and fifty feet in size, the office being in the second story. The pres- 
ent officers of the Polk-Genung-Polk Company are as follows: President, 
\V. C. Polk; vice-president, H. O. Cherry; secretary-treasurer, H. T. Genung; 
assistant treasurer. W. A. Polk. The new plant will employ about thirty men, 
and will, when completed, have cost about twenty-five thousand dollars. The 
output of this company has been distributed to many distant points of the 
country, including Brownsville, Texas, Montana. San Francisco and Xew 
York. The products of the company are covered by patents, and the outlook 



GIBSON COUNTY, INDIANA. 869 

for future business is very promising. The production of electrical power 
has also proven a profitable feature of the business, it being a twenty-four 
hour service, and Mr. Genung, as one of the leaders in the enterprise, lias 
shown a public spirit in all his enterprises, seeking ever to advance the best 
interests of the community. A good business man in even respect, keen and 
sagacious in his judgment, he has so managed his affairs as to reap satis- 
factory pecuniary reward and also gain the i em and confidence of the 
entire community. 

Fraternally. Mr. ( lenung is a member of the Masonic order, being a mem- 
ber of Fort Branch Lodge. No 696, and has taken the degrees of the Scottish 
Rite, up to and including the thirtj second, being also a Noble of the Mystic 
Shrine. Hadi Temple. Evansville. 



ALEXANDER D. GREEN. 

It was remarked by a celebrated moralist and biographer that "there 
has scarcely a life passed of which a judicious and faithful narrative would 
not have been useful." Believing in the truth of this opinion, expressed ln- 
one of the greatest and best of men. the writer of this review takes pleasure 
in presenting a few facts in the career of a gentleman who. by industry, per- 
severance, temperance and integrity, has worked himself from an humble 
station to a successful place in life and won an honorable position among the 
well-known and highly esteemed men of the locality in which he resides. 

Alexander D. Green was born Augusl 5, [846, in Knox county. Indiana. 
the son of John D., of Knox county, he the son of John D., of Virginia. The 
grandfather, with a brother, Samuel, who had first settled in Henderson 
county, Kentucky, came to Indiana in pioneer times and settled in Knox 
countv, where he married a Mis> Dun (her mother a Bogardus), and lived 
the remainder of his life. To the subject's grandparents were horn the 
following children: William. Robert, James, Samuel. Harriett. Eliza and 
the subject- father. John D. died in Vincennes and the resl -1 the children 
have all lived and died in Knox county. 

The father of Alexander D. Green received an exceedingly limited edu- 
cation in the Knox countv schools and resided in that county until [864, when 
he removed to Evansville, Indiana. He was a bricklayer by trade and also 
engaged in agriculture. He was a very active man, a stanch Republican and 
a member of the Cumberland Presbyterian church. In r868 he removed to 



87O GIBSON COUNTY, INDIANA. 

Princeton, Gibson county, and shortly afterward built the old school 
which stood on the site of the new high school. For a number of years he 
engaged in contracting and building and a number of the best structures of 
his day were monuments to his skill and industry, lie lived to the ripe old 
age of seventy-four. Twice married, his first wife, who died in 1854, bore 
him the following children: Alexander D., the subject; Dora married 
Thomas Hart, of Denver, Colorado; Mollie died in Texas, and William M. 
died in Danville. Illinois. The second wife of the subject's father was Ann 
M. Draper, of Knox count}-, Indiana, and this union was blessed by the birth 
of eight children, namely: Fannie, the wife of William F. Westfall, of Knox 
county; Carrie married William Phillips, and lives in Evansville; Nellie, de- 
ceased, was the wife of George Brown, of Evansville; Charles, a bricklayer, 
resides in Memphis, Tennessee; Effie, deceased, was the wife of George Davis, 
of Gibson county; James lives in Vincennes; Frank is a bricklayer in Yin- 
cennes; Fred is a railroad man of Vincennes. 

The subject of this review in early boyhood attended the county schools, 
being compelled to follow a blazed trail four or five miles through the dense 
forest to reach the little log school house. Until the outbreak of the Civil 
war Mr. Green remained at home working on his father's place and for 
neighboring farmers. 

In August. 1863, Mr. Green enlisted in Company E, Fifty-first Regiment 
Indiana Volunteer Infantry, under Captain Denny, his maternal grand- 
father. After being sent to Indianapolis for outfitting and drill, the com- 
mand to which the subject was attached was sent first to L6uisville, Ken- 
tuck}-, and then to Nashville, Tennessee, where, after a few skirmishes, they 
proceeded to Chattanooga and took part in the fighting at Missionary Ridge 
and Rome. Georgia. Here the regiment was captured and incarcerated in 
the famous Libby prison for three weeks, after which they were paroled, and 
Mr. Green returned to his home. However, he again enlisted in the fall of 

1864, this time as a substitute fur his father, being assigned to Company K, 
Forty-fourth Regiment Indiana Volunteer Infantry, and in this command 
lie was a participant in the battles of Franklin, Nashville, Tunnel Hill and 
Ottawa and was also in a number of skirmishes. On the completion of his 
service at the end of the war. Mr. Green was mustered out in September, 

1865, at Indianapolis. 

July 22, 1870. Mr. Green was united in marriage to Sarah A. Pollard, 
daughter of A. C. and Lucinda ('Thompson) Pollard, who came from their 
native state of Virginia in earlv davs and settled in Hillsdale, Vermillion 



GIBSON COUNTY, INDIANA. 87I 

county, where they engaged in agriculture and passed their Lives. To the sub- 
ject and wife have been born four children, namely: Harry L\. a bricklayer, 
of St. Louis, Missouri, who married Jennie Birmingham and has two children, 
Muriel and Ruth; John, who married Artie Berlin and lives in Princeton; 
Austin (.'.. a bricklayer, who married Maud Garrett, of Tennessee, and lives 
in St. Louis, Missouri; William \Y., a briek layer, who married Chine \. 
Mills, ci Bellmont, Illinois, and resides at home with his parents. 

After the Civil war Mr. Green Incited in Evansville, Indiana, and 
worked at his trade, also doing a great deal of contracting. Subsequently he 
followed his trade of masonry in a great many of the Western states, return- 
ing to Indiana in 1871 and locating in Gibson county at Princeton. He lived 
there until 18S4, when he bought his present home place, known as the 
"Green's Fruit Farm," one and one-half miles northeast of the town on the 
Wheeling and Princeton road, where he has developed a line place. Since 
coming to this community Mr. Green has done a great deal of contracting. 
both in Princeton and throughout the county. 

Mr. Green is a member of Archer Post No. 28, Grand Army of the 
Republic, in which he takes an active interest, having attended a great many 
reunions and encampments of that organization. fie also belongs to the 
Bricklayers' Union at Princeton. In his political belief Mr. Green is a Demo- 
crat. 



J( MIX KELL McGREQ >R. 

It is not an easy task to describe adequately a man who has led an 
eminently active and busy life and who has attained a position of relative 
distinction in the community with which his interests are allied. But 1> ■ 
rapln finds its most perfect justification, nevertheless, in the tracing and re- 
cording of such a life history. It is, then, with a full appreciation of all that 
is demanded and of the painstaking scrutiny that must he accorded each 
statement, and yet with a feeling of satisfaction, that the writer essays the 
task of touching briefly upon the details of such a record as has been thai 
the honored subject whose life now comes under review. 

John Kell McGregor, familiarly known as "Kell" Md . is a native 

of Gibson county, horn in Barton township November iS, 1839, a son of John 
and lane 1 Faris) McGregor, he a native of Ohio and she originally from 
eastern Missouri. John McGregor was a son of \ndrew. horn in county 



&J2 GIBSON COUNTY, INDIANA. 

Deery, Ireland, and who came to America when a young man and settled in 
Ohio. Later he came to Gibson county. Indiana, and located in Barton 
township, being among the first settlers in the count}-. He passed the re- 
mainder of his life in Barton township and died on his original home there 
at the advanced age of ninety-six years. He was twice married and to 
his first union were born four children, Robin, George. Eliza and John. 
By his second wife he also had four children, Andrew, Polly, Joseph and 
Nancy. 

John McGregor, father of the immediate subject of this sketch, had but 
a limited education in his youth, opportunities for acquiring more than the 
rudiments of an education being so meager in this new country. He was but 
a small boy when his parents came to Gibson count}', but he managed to 
acquire a limited education, and continued to pursue his studies alone, reading 
such works as came to his hand, until he came to be considered a well-in- 
formed man. When he grew to young manhood, he secured a tract of govern- 
ment land in Barton township, which he proceeded to clear and convert into a 
home. He put up a small cabin and here he and his wife set up their home 
and reared their family. He died at the age of seventy-six on this old home- 
Stead: his wife had preceded him several years. His mode of life was such 
as to win for him the highest regard and liking of all with whom he came in 
contact. There were thirteen children born to John McGregor and wife. 
Mary Ann, the oldest, became the wife of Joseph Gest, and both are dead. 
He was a member of Company F, Forty-second Regiment Indiana Volunteer 
Infantry, and was killed during the battle of Chickamauga. Mrs. Gest died 
in January, [912. F. Marion married Iva Martin, a farmer of Barton town- 
ship, and both are dead, as are also Elizabeth and her husband, James Sover- 
cool. He was a member of Company F, Forty-second Regiment Indiana 
Infantry, during the Civil War. George W. (deceased) married Anna 
Burns, and she is still living in Pike county. He was also a member of Com- 
pany F, Forty-second Regiment Indiana Volunteer Infantry. Ellen died 
unmarried. James (deceased) was a member of the same company and regi- 
ment mentioned above, ami at his death left a widow, who was Mary Mc- 
Cleary. The seventh child in the family was John Kell, the immediate sub- 
ject of this sketch. Gilbert married Jane Kell and lived in Barton township ; 
both deceased. Jane is the widow of George Johnson and resides in Barton 
township. Samuel is a farmer and gardener, in the same township. I lis 
wife was Lavina Currey. Eliza is the wife of John C. Martin, a farmer of 
Barton township. Josiah, who died in May. 1913, was a farmer. He mar- 
ried Tebitha Green. Hannah, the youngest, died when a small child. 



GIBSON COUNTY, INDIANA. 873 

John Kell McGregor received his education in the early subscription 
schools of the county. This he attended in a little old log school house and 
sat on benches made from split logs, lie remained at home until the time of 
his marriage, March 28, 1861, to Isabelle Watt, of Xenia, ( >hio, a daughter of 
Andrew and Elizabeth 1 Dodds 1 Watt. They were originally from ( >hio and 
came to Gibson count)' in [858, locating in Columbia township, where thei 
lived the rest of their lives. He was a farmer and also followed the trade 
of a cooper. 

After his marriage. John Kell McGregor took up farming on a pan of 
the old McGregor homestead in Barton township and lived there until in 
1901 when he moved to Oakland City, Indiana, where he has since resided, 
having retired from active work. In addition to his farm work, he also oper- 
ated a country store at the farm and taught school for a number of years. 
1 Ie was a school director for eighteen years. 

On October 7, 186T, Mr. McGregor enlisted in Company F, Forty-second 
Regiment Indiana Volunteer Infantry, organized in Barton township, and 
was first sent to Evansville. From there he was sent to Henderson. Ken- 
tucky, and up the Green river to South Carrollton and while on guard duty at 
Calhoun he became ill from the exposure. 1 le was guarding a boat at the 
time and his watch extended from eight in the evening until ten the next morn- 
ing. He gave way under the strain and was sent to the hospital at Evans- 
ville, Indiana, and confined there from February, 1862, to September of the 
same year, when he was discharged on account of disability and sent home. 
I le has never fully regained his health since then. 

Mr. and Mrs. McGregor were the parents of several children, of whom 
Nettie Jane was the oldest. She was a teacher four years before her mar- 
riage to Samuel McElroy. They made their home in Greene county. Indiana, 
near Scotland, where -he died in 1900. James R. is at present a city mail 
carrier in Princeton, lie taught school for ten years. 1 1 i - wife was Sadie 
Rucker. Their daughter Elizabeth has always lived at home. Newman, de- 
ceased, was a farmer and met his death while cutting saw logs in [894. His 
widow. Man- Watts, still lives in Barton township. Nora was a teacher 
before her marriage to S. Asdell, of Scotland, ( ireene county. 1 le is a black- 
smith. Henrietta is teaching near Greenville, Tennessee. She ha- been 
engaged in this labor for about fifteen year-, having taught in Greene, 1 'raw- 
ford and Gibson counties. She has also taught in an Indian school at Tama 
Iowa, and is now an instructor in a missionary school among the mountaineers 
of Tennessee. Their daughter Nanc) died unmarried at the age of twenty- 
seven. Mrs. John Kell McGregor died Ma\ 2, 1S80. 



8/4 GIBSON COUNTY, INDIANA. 

In politics, Air. McGregor has always been a stalwart Republican and 
has done all in his power to uphold the dignity of the party. He is also a 
consistent member of the United Presbyterian church and gives liberally of 
his substance to its maintenance. He is properly numbered among the sub- 
stantial citizens of his locality, having contributed in many ways to the ad- 
vancement of his fellow citizens. He has in the course of an honorable 
career been successful in his business affairs and at the same time has placed 
himself high in public estimation. 



BENJAMIN O. WILDER. 

Dependent very largely upon his own resources from his early youth, 
Benjamin O. Wilder, of near Oakland City, has attained no insignificant suc- 
cess, and though he may have, like most men of affairs, encountered obstacles 
and met with reverses, he has pressed steadily forward, ever willing to work 
for the end he had in view. His tenacity and fortitude are due, no doubt, in a 
large measure to the worthy traits inherited from sterling ancestors, whose 
high ideals and correct principles he has ever sought to perpetuate in all the 
relations of life. 

Benjamin ( ). Wilder is a native of Franklin county, Tennessee, born at 
the foot of the Cumberland mountains, March 25, [836, a son of Nathaniel 
and Mary (Taylor) Wilder. They were both natives of that county and he 
engaged in general farming as well as following his trade of a blacksmith. In 
1847 t' ie y came with their family to Warrick county, Indiana, locating four 
miles west of Boonville on the old plank road. Here he erected a home and 
also a blacksmith shop, where he worked at his trade. Here they remained 
for seventeen years, when they disposed of that location and purchased eighty 
acres of land one mile west of Augusta, in Pike count}-, Indiana. On this 
place Nathaniel Wilder passed. the remainder of his life and died at the age 
of seventy-five. Here his first wife died, at the age of fifty, having been a 
great sufferer from rheumatism and practically an invalid for many vears. By 
his first wife, Nathaniel Wilder had fourteen sons, only five of whom grew 
to maturity, namely: Benjamin O., the immediate subject of this sketch; 
Henderson, a retired farmer living at Oakland City; John, deceased, a mem- 
ber of the Fifty-eighth Regiment, Indiana Volunteer Infantry; Council, de- 
ceased, also a member of the Fifty-eighth Regiment, Indiana Volunteer In- 
fantry, and George, deceased, who was second lieutenant of the same com- 



GIBSON COUNTY, INDIANA. 875 

pany and regiment. Nathaniel Wilder took as his second wife Emeline Mur- 
phy, a native of the Hoosier state, and to them wen- born three children: 
James and Walker, deceased, and Charles, who is engaged in the insurance 
business at Oakland City. The family were closely identified with the affairs 
of the Methodisl Episcopal church and did much to extend its connections in 
their home society. Originally, Mr. Wilder was a Whig in politics, but when 
the Republican party came into existence, he gave it the same stanch support 
he had accorded the older part)- in earlier years. 

Benjamin O. Wilder received onl) a limited schooling in his youth, 
owing to the limited circumstances of his parents and the meagre opportuni- 
ties afforded at best. He remained at his father's home until 1862, when he 
went to Mount Era, in Wayne county. Illinois, and there united in marria 
with Susan Aiken, of that place. Tie had a grocery store in the town named 
and maintained his home there until about a year after the close of the Civil 
war, and during that stormy period he gave more than a year's service to his 
country. About 1866 Mr. Wilder disposed of his interests in Mount Era and 
returned to Boonville, near which place he engaged in farming. After re- 
maining there for a short while, he engaged in farming in Pike county and 
later took up residence in Gibson count}, near Oakland City, where he still 
resides. 

To Benjamin O. Wilder, by his first marriage, were born three children. 
namely: Mary, wife of the Reverend Albert Keaggy, a minister of the 
United Brethren church', located in the state of Washington; William, a land 
agent at Perkins, < )klahoma, and Alice, deceased. After the loss of his first 
wife, Mr. Wilder united in marriage with Sarah A. Bailey, of Warrick 
county, Indiana. I>\ whom he reared a family of -everal children. Ora is 
engaged in fanning near Evansville, Indiana, llis wife was Sarah Taylor. 
Olive re>ide> in Evansville, the wife of William Bone. Lillie, who is Mrs 
Luther Thompson, is also a resident of Evansville, Hattie lives in Indian- 
apolis and is the wife of Ed. Walter i ace is the wife of ( lyde Schrodes, 
of Evansville Albert, whose wife was Doria Elliott, resides at ( lakland City; 
Daniel, who married Mary Cummings, has his home in Indianapolis, while 
Eva, who is a bookkeeper and stenographer for the gas company of Oak- 
land City, is the onl} one of the family who remains at home. In addition 
to the above named, three children died in infancy. 

T11 addition to his business activities above mentioned. Mr. Wilder oper- 
ated a grocery store in Scalesville, Pike county, for m-\ch years and also 
dealt in real estate. This business interesl he traded for his eighty acres of 



876 GIBSON COUNTY, INDIANA. 

farm land, which he cultivated until 1903. when he retired from active duties 
on. account of poor health resulting from exposure endured while in the army. 
In November of 1863 Mr. Wilder enlisted as a private in Company K, 
Sixty-first Regiment. Illinois Volunteer Infantry, and was first ordered to 
Springfield to be fitted out. From there he was sent to Camp Butler, where 
he remained for some time and from there went to Cairo. Illinois, and 
Duval's Bluff, Arkansas, under General Steele. He did guard duty a great 
deal of the time. He received his honorable discharge on January 1, 1865. 
Mr. Wilder is a member of the honored Grand Army of the Republic at Oak- 
land City and his religious affiliation is with the Methodist Episcopal church, 
of which he is a faithful and consistent member. Mr. Wilder has always 
been an ardent supporter of the principles of the Republican party and while 
never seeking office for himself, has been interested in seeing the right man 
go into the right place and used his influence accordingly. There is much that 
is commendable in his life's record, for he has been found true to every duty 
in every relation of life. He is well known for his uprightness and the hon- 
orable methods he has always followed. Because of his genial and unassum- 
ing disposition and genuine worth, he enjoys a well-deserved popularity 
throughout his part of the county. 



I.KAXDER SMITH. 



Practical industry, wisely and vigorously applied, never fails of success. 
It carries a man onward and upward and brings out his individual character 
and acts as a powerful stimulant to the interests of others. The greatest re- 
sults in life are often obtained by simple means and the exercise of the ordi- 
nary qualities of common sense, perseverance and industry. There is no call- 
ing, however humble, in which enterprise and industry, coupled with well 
directed purpose, will not be productive of some measure of success, and in 
the pursuit of agriculture the qualities mentioned are quite essential. Among 
the well known and highly respected farmers of Gibson county, who haw- 
attained to a degree of success in their line, and who have at the same time 
benefited the community in which they have lived, is the gentleman to a re- 
view of whose career we now direct the reader's attention. 

Leander Smith, the son of Joseph and Mary Caroline ( Watkins) Smith, 
was born in 1853. at Princeton. Indiana. Joseph Smith was born in Smith 
county, Tennessee, in 1824, and came to Princeton, Indiana, with his parents. 



GIBSON COUNTY, INDIANA. 877 

Wylie Smith and wife, when he was four years of age. Joseph Smith's 
mother died when lit* was but five years of age, and he spent his boyhood days 
at Princeton, and for aboul twent} five years drove teams there for Messrs. 
Dimmock and Maxani. He was a soldier in the Mexican War and also 
served in the Civil War. In the latter he enlisted first in the Fifty-eighth 
Regiment Indiana Volunteer Infantry, with which he served a while, after- 
wards re-enlisting in the < )ne Hundred Forty-third Regiment Indiana Volun- 
teer Infantry, serving his country well and faithfully. During his boyhood 
he had been bound out until his majority, thus learning the habits of thrift 
and industry, and developed into a reliable, upright citizen, who lived a life 
free from blame. His death occurred at the Soldiers' Home at Marion. Indi- 
ana, in the summer of [905. Mary Caroline (Watkins) Smith, the mother 
<>\ the subject, was also born at Carthage, in Smith county, Tennessee, and 
came to Gibson count}" with her parent-. Jesse Watkins and wife, about the 
same time that the Wylie Smith family came to Indiana. She grew up at 
Princeton, and lived at that place rdl the rest of her life, her death occurring 
there in 1870. 

Leander Smith grew up in the city of Princeton, and received his ele- 
mentary education in the public schools of that place. At an early age he- 
started working in Jessup"s woolen factory, and continued working there 
until he was twenty-one years of age, by which time he had worked himself 
up to a prominent position in the mill, and handled one of the most important 
machines in the mill. Upon reaching his majority he left Princeton and went 

Mississippi, where he worked for two years in a sawmill. He then came 
back to this county and worked for a short time in the stone quarry. Follow- 
ing this he worked out on a firm near Xew Harmony, in Posey county, for a 

n time While working in Posey county, he was married in [8/8 to 
souri Martin, the daughter of \\ illiam and Susan Martin. Her parents were 
horn and married in Tennessee, and came to Blade township, Pose) county. 
Indiana, shortly after their marriage. They moved from Black township to 

int township, and finally located in Linn township, where they spent the re 
mainder of their lives. After their marriage. Mr. anil Mrs. Smith moved to 
Linn township. P ninty, eighl miles south of New Harmony, where they 

continued to reside until 1900, when they moved to Wabash township, Gib- 
son countv, and settled on a farm three mile- south of Crowleyville. To Mr. 
and Mrs. Smith have been born eight children, five of whom are living. 
These children are as follows: Martha Jane died in 1004, at the age of 
twenty-six wears: Joseph died in [895, at the age of fifteen years; Purnell 



S-X GIBSON COUNTY, INDIANA. 

died in 1894; Maude, the wife of William Hutchins, lives two miles southwest 
of her parents on a farm, and is the mother of five children. Hazel. Welborn, 
Manford, Melvin and Fred; Fred was a soldier in the United States army for 
three years, his term expiring in January, 1912. He was stationed at Fort 
Russell, in Wyoming, and is now at home in Wabash township: Frank is in 
the United States army, stationed at Pasadena, California: Lizzie, wife of 
A. A. Rutter, lives at Winslow, Indiana, and is the mother of two children. 
Raymond and Alhert; Mackie i< at home with his parents. 

Mr. Smith has spent his whole life in agricultural pursuits, performing 
all those multitudinous details which fall to the lot of the American farmer. 
He is a quiet, unassuming man, who has won the esteem and confidence of his 
fellow citizens by his upright dealings with them and by his support in the 
advancement of any cause looking to the general welfare of the community. 
As a citizen he is public spirited and enterprising: as a friend and neighbor 
he combines the qualities of head and heart that have won confidence and com- 
manded the respect of his neighborhood. In all his activities as a citizen, he 
lias -1. ordered his life that he has earned the unqualified endorsement of his 
fellow citizens. 



WILLIAM T. WATSi >N. 



The men most influential in promoting the advancement of society and 
in giving character to the times in which they live are two classes, to-wit, the 
men of study and the men of action. Whether we are more indebted to the 
one class or the other is a question of common difference of opinion. Neither 
class can be spared and both should be encouraged to occupy their several 
spheres of labor and influence zealously and without mutual distrust. In the 
following paragraphs are briefly outlined the leading facts a nd characteristics 
of one of the most striking men of action who has ever lived in Gibson county. 
Although the subject of this sketch has lived in the county only about ten 
years, such has been his peculiar force and power that he has been a very 
material factor in advancing the interests of this county. His success as a 
business man is due to his keen perceptive faculties, unusual soundness of 
judgment and his uprightness in all his dealings with his fellow citizens, and 
his systematic and honorable methods have resulted in gaining for him the 
confidence of all those with whom he has come in contact. 

William T. Watson, the largest land owner of Montgomery township, 



GIBSON COUNTY, INDIANA. 879 

Gibson county, was born June 24, 1855, near Wheeling, West Virginia, the 
son of Owen I Land Martha (Clark) Watson. When William T. was about 
four years of age the family left West Virginia and moved to Edgar county. 
Illinois, where he grew up and spent the most of his life, lie took advantage 
of the best schooling which could be obtained from the district schools of his 
county. His father died when he was about twelve years of age, and as he 
was the eldest of a family of several children, he was by this misfortune made 
the head of the family. He lived at home until the death of his mother, 
which occurred soon after he reached his majority. During this time he 
managed his father's farm of two hundred and Fort) acres and made a com- 
fortable living for the family. lie was married in 1878 to Linnie \\ ynn. 
whose parents were Thomas and Lina Wynn, and residents also of Edgar 
county, Illinois. Having inherited thirty acre- of land from his paternal 
estate, he sold it for one thousand dollars and with this sum he began his 
start in life. A man of more than ordinary business ability, he has been \ 

cessful in all of his financial operations. He bought mo e land in. the sat 
county and started to farm on an extensive scale, not only raising the ordinary 
products of the farm, but buying and selling all kinds of live stock. Branch- 
ing out in the real estate business, he bought and sold farms and ha- built up 
his material fortune in this way. Although he considers Chrisman, Illinois, 
his home, he has been deeply interested in Montgomery township, Gibson 
county. Indiana, since February, 10,05. when he made his fust purchase of 
real estate in the county. He now owns sixteen hundred acres in Mont- 
gomery township in addition to three hundred and fifty acres in Illinois, 
has spent most of his time since [905 in Montgomery township, superintend- 
ing the management of his extensive holdings here. In September. [91 t, he 
laid out the town of Skelton in Montgomery ti »wnship, and still owns the town 
site. 

Mr. and Mrs. William Watson have reared -is children: Minnie M.. 
Lydia W., Mabel. Martha C., Newton Everett and John W. His wife died 
May 2, 1905. 

Mr. Watson has always taken an active interest in public affair- and 
while living in Illinois was elected supervisor of his township. A supervisor 
in Illinois is an official corresponding in general nature to the town-hip trustee 
of Indiana, one supervisor being elected for each township and the supervisors 
of the county constituting the county board. Mr. Watson is a member of 
the time-honored order of Free and Accepted Masons, a Knight Templar, 
Knights of Pythias and is also a member of the Modern Woodmen of Amer- 



88o GIBSON COUNTY, INDIANA. 

ica, in all of which fraternal organizations he takes an active interest. He 
also holds membership in the Tribe of Ben-Hur. 

Mr. Watson is a quiet, plain, unassuming man, easily approached and a 
man who treats all of his employees well. His success has been attained be- 
cause he has brought to bear all those qualities which win for him the con- 
fidence of his fellow men. He is industrious, temperate, economical and in 
every way exemplary in his daily life and conduct. As a factor of the body 
politic he has borne well his every duty and no one questions his standing 
in this favored locality of the state. 



HUMPHREY C. HELDT. 

Among those persons who have by virtue of their strong individual 
qualities earned their way to a high standing in the estimation of their fellow 
citizens, having by sheer force of character and persistency won their way 
from an humble beginning to a place of influence and prominence in the com- 
munity where they live, the subject of this sketch is entitled to special mention 
in a volume of this character. 

Humphrey C. Heldt, member of the well-known firm of Creek & Heldt 
Hardware Company, at Oakland City, Indiana, was born in Vanderburg 
county, this state, on November 17, 1866. His parents were C. D. and 
Caroline (Fickas) Heldt, the father a native of Germany and the mother of 
Vanderburg county. C. D. Heldt came to America in the spring of 1854, 
locating in Vanderburg county, Indiana, where he took up the vocation of 
farming, in which he met with splendid success. He was a soldier of the 
Civil war, having enlisted in Company F, Twenty- fourth Indiana Volunteer 
Infantry, with which he served throughout that struggle. He was one of a 
family of thirteen, nine of whom came to America. After the war he re- 
turned to Vanderburg county and bought a farm, the purchase of which he 
had started during the war while home on a furlough. After completing the 
payment on this land, he added to it as he was prospered and eventually ac- 
quired the ownership of two hundred and twenty acres. To him and his wife 
were born eight children, of whom six are living, namely : Mary J., the wife 
of Joseph Haag. of Knight township, Vanderburg county, Indiana: Elizabeth, 
the wife of Julius Wigger, also of Knight township; Martha, the wife of 
Elmer Hodson, of Evansville. Indiana; Bismark L., of Evansville; Frederick, 




HI'MI'HIiKY C. HK1.DT 



■ i bson COUN ry, Indiana. 88l 

of Knight township, Vanderburg count), and the subject of this sketch, who 
was the first hern. The mother of these children died on December 25, 1910. 

Humphre) C. Heldt was reared on the home farm until twent) six years 
of age, receiving his education in the public schools of Vanderburg county. 
He began teaching school upon the completion of his own studies, teaching 
during the winter months, and attending college in the summer. lie was a 
student in the Southwestern Normal University at Princeton, and from there 
he was graduated m [892. Altogether he taught seven years in Vanderburg 
county, gaining a splendid reputation as an enthusiastic ami successful edu- 
cator. In 1893 Mr. Heldt came to Gibson county. locating on a farm in 
Columbia township, which he operated and at the same time engaged in teach- 
ing in the township high schools for four years. During the following two 
years he taught in the Francisco high school, and then, on April _>, [900, he 
bought a half interest in the hardware business with \Y. T. Creek, of Oakland 
City, which has commanded his attention continuously since. The business 
was conducted as a private linn until kh\]. when the company was incoi 
porated, and Air. Heldt has been manager of the business. The splendid suc- 
cess which has attended the Creek & Heidi Hardware Company is due 
largely to the persevering efforts and industr) of the subject, who has been 
untiring along the line of building up the business in this community. Tic is 
also the owner of a splendid farm of one hundred and twenty-two acres in 
Columbia township, in the cultivation of which he maintains a deep interest, 
and which he has found a profitable source of income. 

On August 3. [892, Mr. 1 Ieldl married Eunice t • ileman, the eldest daugh- 
ter of \\ . 1 1. ( oleman, of Oakland City, and they have had three children, two 
of whom are living, Charles 1 1., who is in school, ami Robert C, also in school. 
Fraternally, Mr. Heldt is a member of the Masonic lodge, belonging to blue 
lodge, council and chapter, and also to the Tribe of Ben-Hur and the Modern 
Woodmen of America. Religiously, be is a member of the Presbyterian 
church, of which he has been an elder for twent) years. Politically, he is a 
and is enthusiastic in the political cause which he has espoused. 
Mr. Heldt has b) his indomitable enterprise and conservative methods con- 
tributed in a material way to the advancement of his locality, and in the course 
of his honorable career \r.\< been very successful in all of his enterprises. Hav- 
ing been a man of energy, sound judgment and honest} of purpose, he is well 
deserving of mention in this volume. He is unselfish in his outlook upon life 
and, aside from hi- own affairs, he takes an intelligent interest in everything 
(56) 



882 GIBSON COUNTY, INDIANA. 

pertaining to the community in which he lives, giving his earnest support to 
all measures having for their object the advancement of the public welfare, 
morally, educationally, socially and materially. Genial and unassuming, he 
has deservedly won a high place in the hearts of his acquaintances and friends. 



HISTORY OF THE STORMONT FAMILY. 

The Stormont family is of Scutch- Irish origin. This much is certain, 
but there is a good deal lacking in the way of data to enable one to give a con- 
nected and reliable ancestral history of the family in that country. It is 
pretty well authenticated that the early ancestors came from Scotland and 
settled in the north of Ireland, probably in the latter part of the sixteenth cen- 
tury. It is certain that Samuel Stormont, the father of the branch that came 
to America, came from county Antrim. Ireland. But how long he had lived 
there before emigrating is not known. There is a pretty well founded tradi- 
tion that some of the family of that name in that country held titled honors. 
with inherited estates, and were identified with government affairs. The 
Lord Stormont, who figured in history of the Revolution as a representative 
of Great Britain, belonged to one of the family branches. It is related that 
this title came to him by inheritance from an uncle, as did also a landed 
estate, on which was a castle near Belfast, known as "Stormont Castle." This 
castle still stands and is known by that name, but the Stormonts do not occupy 
nor own it now. 

There is a story, which may be related in this connection, that this Lord 
Stormont had inherited a legacy from his uncle. Admiral Stormont. of the 
British navy, and that this legacy was passed to his nephew. David Stormont. 
son of Samuel, mentioned above; that this David Stormont refused to ac- 
cept this legacy, or to have anything to do with it, because he regarded it as 
ill-gotten gains, the legacy being obtained as prize money from captured 
vessels. And the conscientious scruples of this David Stormont, who came 
with his father to this country, were maintained by some of his children, who 
lived and died in Princeton. So this legacy, whatever it amounted to, was 
never claimed. 

As has been stated, the father of the branch that came to this country, 
and with whom this sketch has to do, was Samuel Stormont. At the time of 
his family leaving Ireland they were given a certificate from the church to 
which they belonged, of which the following is a copy : 



GIBSON COUNTY, INDIANA. 883 

"That Samuel Stormont, his wife, Martha, and son David, who is a 
single person, who is about to go to South Can ilina, with his daughter, Esther, 
win/ is also a single person, soberl) and honestly, and may be received into 
any Christian society where God, in llis providence hath ordered Ids lot." 

This certificate is not dated, and there is no date obtainable as to the 
time of their arrival in America. It appears from this, and other instances 
along the line, that the Stormonts of early times were so much occupied in 
raising large families thai they were very negligent about dates and details 
of their movements. But, from the fact that there were five children in the 
family, and only the two oldest are mentioned in the church certificate, it is 
prohahlc that the others were horn after the family came to this country. 
And, from other evidence, it i> likely that Samuel Stormont came to America 
in the first half of the seventeenth century. The children were : 1 )avid, win > 
married Nancy Boyd; Esther, who married James Chestnut; Martha, who 
married Samuel Ferris; Mollie, who married Samuel McClure; John, who 
married i i > Nancy Wilson (2) Bettie Maybin; William, who married Anna 
McClure. 

It is not the purpose of this sketch to follow the line of family history of 
the Stormonts, from the time of the settlement of this first family 111 South 
Carolina., down to the present time, ddiis would he impracticable, if not im- 
possible, because of the lack of data upon which a reliable record could be 
made. Even if this were obtainable, a complete genealogical record of the 
several branches of this family down to the present lime would interest hut 
few of the readers of this volume. It is the purpose to deal only with the 
history of the branch of the original family that came to Gibson county, and 
were among the early settlers. These were well-known by many of the older 
citizens now living, ami their family historj may find appropriate place in a 
Gibson county history. This sketch will bring the genealogical line down 
within the memor) of the present generations, and those who care to do s, , 
may take up this line and follow the several family branches, ad infinitum. 

So far as known. Samuel Stormonl and all his sons and daughters found 
homes in South Carolina, probably all in Chester district, and there they spent 
their life time. From the best information obtainable, David, the oldest son, 
married Nancy Boyd in [788, and the histon of this family comes within the 
purpose of this sketch. 

Family of Datnd Stormont, son of Samuel. 

Martha, born July 7. 1789, never married, and died in Princeton. 

Robert, born April 30. 1701. tin- father of Dr. Wasson Stormont, a former 



884 GIBSON COUNTY, INDIANA. 

teacher in the old Seminary in Princeton, who moved to Topeka, Kansas, 
in the early days of that territory, and was a well-known and prominent 
physician and citizen of that city and state. Crawford, another son. was 
well-known in Princeton, where lie lived in his early years. He died at 
his home in Sparta, Illinois, a few years ago. Neither of the sons of 
Robert Stormont had any children. 

Amanda, married Dr. George P>. Graff, who was a prominent physician in 
Princeton, in the later forties and early fifties. He removed to Omaha, 
Nebraska, about 1859. where he died several years ago. His wife died 
some years later. The only one of the family now living is a m'H, John, 
who is located some place in Wyoming. 

Louisa, married Moses Piddle. One son, Crawford Biddle. is now living in 
Chicago. Another son. Dr. Edgar Piddle, lived in Patoka, and died 
there a few years ago. 

Mary, born April 8, 1793, was never married. She lived and died in 
Princeton. 

Esther, born June 3. 1795. married Clem Allen. She had two daughters and 
one son ; one of the daughters married John Garrett. Mrs. Garrett was 
the mother of the late Mrs. William Anderson, and the grandmother of 
Dr. Robert Stormont Anderson, Mrs. J. A. Pfohl and Mrs. David Burch- 
field. of Princeton, and Mrs. John Hamilton, of Manhattan. Kansas. 

Nancy Agnes, born October 23, 171)0- married Joseph Hartin The children 
were Margaret, the first wife of Andrew J. Wright: David: Mary, Cath- 
erine. Sarah and Joseph C. Hartin. 

David, born August 7, 1802. married Mary Hartin 1825 and removed from 
South Carolina to Gibson county in 1812, and resided in this county 
from that lime until his death in [886. His children were Nancy J., who 
married John Hull; Amanda married John Adams: Martha married 
Alex. McConnahey; Joseph enlisted in the Forty-second Indiana Regi- 
ment Volunteer Infantry and died in the service; Robert, deceased; and 
Riley, the only son living, who married Mary Lytle. 

Family of John Stormont, second son of Samuel. 

Fohn Stormont was twice married: First to Nancy Wilson; second to Eliza- 
beth Maybin. James and Samuel were sons by the first wife. The 
children by the second wife were Mary. Thomas and Sarah. Mary mar- 
ried Samuel McClure ; Sarah married William Stormont. a cousin; 
Thomas was killed in an accident in South Carolina: Samuel removed to 
southern Illinois where he died. Some of the members of this family 



BSON COUNTY, INDIANA. 885 

remained in the south, locating in northern Mississippi, and their descend- 
ants were loyal to the Confederate cause during the Civil War. A 
Colonel Stormont commanded a Mississippi regimenl and another by 
that name in the Confederate army was killed in the battle of Stone's 
River; another, a Confederate prisoner, died at Alton. Illinois. 
James, the oldest son of John Stormont, removed with his entire family ex- 
cept the olilest sun. John, to Gibson county in [832, and settled on the 
Indian creek hills, aboul three miles east of Princeton. John, who was 
married before leaving South Carolina, removed to Greene comity. ( »hio. 
The family of James Stormont has been identified with the history of 
Gibson county from early times and their history is given more in detail. 

Family Histo James Stormont, Grandson of Samuel. 

James Stormont. born July 16. 1773, died in Gibson county, [862. Married 
Jane Sprowl I 17X1 ) October 1, 1799. Removed to Gibson county 1X32. 
Their children were : 

Nancy, born Jul}' 16. [801, who married (1) James Vance, (2) William 
Lawrence. 

Jennette. born April 6, 1804, who married John McWilliams. A daughter, 
Mrs. Martha Spence, widow of Gabriel Spence, is the only one of this 
family now living. 

John, born January 5, 1806, married (1) Esther McMillan, (2) Nancy 
Cooper. Removed from South Carolina to Greene county, Ohio. Two 
of his sons, Rev. Samuel R. Stormonl and Wm Henry Stormont. were 
residents of Gibson count}' for several years before their death. The 
widow and a son of Rev. Samuel are residents of Princeton. 

William, born December 7. [807, married 1 1 ) Sarah Wallace, (2) Elvira 
Louisa Carithers, 1 3 1 Mary Lizada Carithers. 1 A more detailed histon 
of this family is given under a subhead to follow. 1 

Martha, born December u. [809, married Robert Ervin. John Riley, who 
married Sarah Finney, and Nancy E., who married George W. Shopbell, 
reside in Princeton and are the onl) children of this family now living. 

Mary, born April 1. 1812, married David Stormont (a cousin), and lived and 
died in southern Illinois. Robert P. Stormont, who died at his home in 
Princeton a few years ago. was a son. His widow is still living here. 

Rosanna, born \pril 20, 1814, married Joseph Woods Hogue in Gibson 
county and removed to Warren county. Illinois. 

Sarah A., born February r6, [816, married William Hogue and removed to 
Warren county. Illinois. 



88l i GIBSON COUNTY, INDIANA. 

James, born December 30, 181 7. married Amanda Melvina Carithers. (A 

more detailed history of this family is given under a sub-head to follow.) 
Jane, born November 30, 1819, married (1) John Paul, (2) John McNeece, 
Samuel Riley, born March 6. 1823, married Mary Cooper and removed to 

Greene county, Ohio, where he died a few years ago, the last of the 

family. 
David, born July 14, 1825, married Mary Ann Clark, both deceased. (A 

more detailed history of this family is given in a sub-head to follow. ) 

Family of William Stormont, son of James. 

James Renwick, married Rebecca M. Clark, both deceased. The children 
living are, Sarah Elizabeth, who married Erastus L. Townsend ; Marietta, 
who married Hugh Morrow, and Miss Jane Amanda, living, Princeton. 

Jane Amanda, married Charles P>. Ford, both deceased. The children living 
are, William M.. who married Eleanor Ames. Indianapolis: Rose, who 
married E. T. Hoar, Indianapolis; J. Crawford, who married Emma 
Sulmer, Marion, Indiana. 

Gavin McMillan, married Elizabeth Watt (deceased), Pomona, California. 

Sarah Diantha, married William C. Lawrence. The children are, John C, 
wdio married Clyde Stormont, Canon City, Colorado; Clarence F... who 
married Anna Massey, Princeton; Elmer, who married Carrie Fischer, 
Danville, Illinois: and Emner, Cairo, Illinois. 

Gilbert Reiley, married Kate Keys. The children living are. Harry K.. who 
married Eunice Heston, Indianapolis; Donald M., who married Pearl 
Murphy, Princeton: Ralph M., who married Mary Genung, Oakland 
City. 

Mary Rose Ann. born April 16, 1845, died February 25, 1847. 

Andrew Harvey, married Jennette Paul. Sterling, Kansas. 

Nancy Theresa, born March 3. 1850, died August 19, 1859. 

William John, born September 2, 1852, died August 1. 1859. 

Elizabeth Elvira, born February ly, [856, died November 23, 1888. 

Josiah Crawford, born October 1 1, [857, died September 7, 1N77 

Miss Mary Louisa, living in Princeton 

Family of James Stormont, son of James, Sr. 

John McLeod, married Nancy F. Watt. The children are Clyde, who mar- 
ried John C. Lawrence, Canon City. Colorado; Frank New ton. who mar- 
ried Grace Gilmore, Jacksonville, Florida: Miss Lillian, living at home. 



GIBSON COUNTY, INDIANA. 887 

Andrew Riley, married Sarah E. Lawrence and moved to Nebraska; both 

deceased. 
Mary Jane, married Thomas McLaughlin and moved to Marion county, 

Illinois. The wife died May 12. 1913, the husband died several yeai 

previous. The only daughter, Florence, is living in Canon City, < olorado 
Martha Aranhnta, died at her home in Princeton in [893. 
James Calvin, living in California. 
Gilbert McMaster, married Lyda Cunningham. The husband died at his 

home in Gibson county in [897. The widow removed to Long Beach, 

California, where she is now living. 
Samuel Josiah, married \1111a Sturges and removed to St. Louis, Missouri, 

where they are now living. 

Family of David Stormont, Son of Janus. Sr. 

Elizabeth Louisa, married Milton Kell (deceased), Princeton. The children 
are Miss Ella, and Lilly, who married William Lockw 1, Evansville. 

John Crawford married (1) lane McLaughlin, (2) Margaret Baldridge. 
The children are Arthur, who married Oma Boswell; Ernest, Laura. 
David and Bertha. 

James Theophilus, living in Gibson county. 



EDWARD WEISGERBER. 

The following 1- a briei sketch of the \'\v oi one who, by close attention 
to business, has achieved marked success in the world's affairs and risen to 
an honorable position among the enterprising nun of the county with which 
his interests are identified. It is a plain record, rendered remarkable by "" 
strange or mysterious adventure, no wonderful and lucky accidenl and n< 
tragic situation. Mr. Weisgerber is one of those estimable characters whose 
integrity and strong personalit) must force them into an admirable notoriety, 
which their modesty never seeks, who command the respect of their con- 
temporaries and their posterity and leave the impress of their individuality 
upon the .age in which they h 

Ed Weisgerber was born on December 11, 1874, in Patoka town- 
ship, Gibson county, Indiana, and 1- the son of Emil and Gertrude Weisgerber. 
These parents, who were both born and reared in Germany, came to America 



888 GIBSON COUNTY, INDIANA. 

at different times, locating at Princeton, Indiana, where their marriage oc- 
curred. The father was a brick layer by trade, and also owned a good farm 
in Patoka township where his son Henry and daughter Sophia now live. 
Sometime after the death of his first wife he married Nellie Hale, of Pike 
county. Indiana, who is >till living in the latter county. In his later life Emil 
Weisgerber lived in Pike county. In 1861, in response to the call of his 
adopted country for defenders of the national integrity, he enlisted as a 
private in Company F, Thirty-third Regiment Indiana Volunteer Infantry, 
with which he served during the remainder of the war. lie went through 
many hardships and privations, and as a result of his exposures he contracted 
a had throat. He also became a member of .Archer Post, Grand Army of the 
Republic, at Princeton. He was a member of the United Presbyterian church, 
and a man of excellent qualities of character, being widely known and highly 
c-teemed by all. To him and his wife were burn the following children: 
Emma, who now lives in Princeton, is the widow of I.. Hill; Anna, who i- 
unmarried, lives in Illinois: Sophia, with her brother Henry, lives on the 
home farm in Patoka township; Henry, just referred to. is a successful 
farmer; Gertrude, deceased; Edward, the subject of this sketch; Clara, the 
wife of John H. Burns of Patoka township in this county. 

Edward Weisgerber attended the schools of his home neighborhood, re- 
maining with his parents until 1894, when he took up the vocation of farm- 
ing for himself at Tafttown, Patoka town-hip. There he continued to be 
engaged in this line with splendid success until .March 13, 1913, when he took 
charge of the Lotus celery farm in Patoka township for William J. Ritter>- 
kamp. proprietor of the Princeton gardens. Pie had started to work for Air. 
Ritterskamp in 1899 an< -' was with him for four years, when he took up 
gardening on his own account until again joining ATr. Ritterskamp. The 
Lotus celery farm, which is located five miles southwest of Princeton, is one 
of the noted celery farms of this section of the state, and a large portion of 
its success is due to the personal efforts of Air. Weisgerber. 

Edward Weisgerber was married on May 15, 1894, to Gertrude L. 
Malone, of Patoka township, Gibson county. Indiana, the daughter of Hugh 
Malone, and to this union have been born six children: Gladys C, George 
Herbert, Ruby Catherine, Isabelle, Rudolph and Delbert. Politically, Air. 
Weisgerber is an earnest advocate of the Republican doctrine, and has been 
active in the support of this organization for many years. Fraternally, he is 
a member of the Independent Order of Odd Fellows, having his membership 
in the subordinate lodge at Princeton for the past seven years. He is also a 



GIBSON COUNTY. [NDIANA. 889 

member of the encampment of this order. The which attended Mr. 

Weisgerber and his affairs has been due to his persistence, integrity and 

splendid judgment, qualities which have won for him the confidence and 
esteem of the public to a marked degree. 



IK \XK REAVIS. 



It is always pleasant and profitable to review the career of a man who 
has won a definite goal in life, whose career has been such as to command 
the honor and respect of his fellow citizens. In these days a man cannot live 
a secluded life, but if he is to he a part of the community in which he lives 
he must subserve his interest- to those of the community at large. The most 
valuable citizens to any communit) are the men who not only are able to man- 
their own affairs successfully, hut also to take an intelligent part in the 
affairs of the community. No man lives entirely to himself and a man's 
value to the public is measured by the service to his fellow men. The subject 
of this sketch has been one of those men who have not only been successful in 
their own private business, but he has, when called upon by his fellow citizens, 
been a prominent factor in contributing to the welfare of the district in which 
he lives. 

Frank Reavis, the only child of Alexander and Louisa i Palmer) Reavis, 
was born January [3, [861, in Center township, this county. His parents "also 
were both natives of Gibson county, and were among the pioneer settlers of 
the county. Frank Reavis received his education in the district schools of 
his neighborhood, ami his early life was divided between his school duties and 
the various chores on the farm which fall to the l"t of the average country 
lad. On the farm he learned all those details which must be mastered by the 
farmer before he can be able to command any degree of success in agricul- 
tural lines. Some one has said that the information which a fanner must 
have would fill a volume of several hundred pages and he who has tried to 
operate a farm without previous experience will readily acknowledge the 
fact. Our self .1 >ls today are giving courses in agriculture and trying to 
teach it from a scientific standpoint. However, it is undoubtedly true that 
many a college graduate with a degree in agriculture can go home t<> his 
father, who was reared on the farm and get information which he never re- 
ceived from books. 



SyO GIBSON COUNTY, INDIANA. 

Mr. Reavis was united in marriage on October 18, 1S81, to Sarah L. 
\\ ood, daughter of Mr. and Mrs. John Wood, and to this union there have 
been born two children, Durbin C, who has had a very successful career as 
an educator. After finishing his elementary education in the township schools 
of his count}', he graduated from the Francisco high school, and then took the 
three-year course in the Oakland City College. He followed this by taking 
the course of study provided for in the University of Chicago. His teaching 
experience has been very extensive, starting from the bottom and continuing 
on up through the various grades of teaching experience until he is now the 
superintendent of the St. Louis. Missouri, schools. He has been the superin- 
tendent of the high schools at Hazleton, Indiana, and Francisco, Indiana; later 
of the Oakland City College and now, as before stated, has charge of the 
schools at St. Louis. Such a career i^ certainly worthy of emulation and 
should be a source of great gratification to his parents and friends. The sec- 
ond child oi" Mr. and Mrs. Reavis is Mrs Nellie D. Shanor, who now lives 
at Oakland City, this county, her husband being superintendent of the Oak- 
town schools. Mr. and Mrs. Shanor are the parents of one child, Charles 
Reavis. 

Mr. Reavis is the owner of one hundred and seventy acres of fine farm- 
ing land in Center township, though he is living in Francisco. Fie has brought 
his farm to a high state of cultivation and has equipped it with all the modern 
appliances necessary for the successful farmer. He has always taken a very 
prominent part in the material advancement of his county and his ability was 
recognized several years ago by the county commissioners when they appointed 
him as superintendent of the rock roads of Center township. It costs about 
three thousand dollars a mile to build a rock road and there are now ahout 
twelve miles of this splendid road in Center township. As superintendent 
of the roads he has given universal satisfaction to the citizens of the town- 
ship, and the roads which he has constructed are a credit to the community. 

Mr. Reavis has been an active member of the Democratic party, but has 
held no other office than that of superintendent of the rock roads of his 
township. He feels that in this office he can perform a very useful service 
for his community, and is content to exercise all his talents along this par- 
ticular line. He has made a study of road building and is recognized as one 
of the county's best qualified men in roadbuilding. He and his family are 
members of the General biaptist church of Francisco, and take a prominent 
part in all the activities of that denomination. He is a member of the Tribe 
of Ben-Hur at Francisco. He is a man of high moral character and strictest 




MR. AND MRS. WILLIAM P. WITHERSPOON. 



GIBSON COUNTY, INDIANA. 8QI 

integrity, persistent industry and excellent judgment, and as such he has won 
the esteem of all with whom he has come in contact. While he has been ad- 
vancing his individual interests, he has never lost sight of his obligation to the 
community in general, where for man) years he has held a high place in the 
popular confidence and esteem. 



WILLIAM P. WITHERSPOON. 

The great English poet, Pope, has .said that "the proper study of man- 
kind is man," and no truer statement was ever made. To be able to trace 
one's ancestry back through the past generations and find that they have 
occupied high and honorable positions in the history of their country, is a 
source of genuine satisfaction and dee]) graitfication. There is no one who 
would not like to have it said that his ancestors fought in the Revolutionar) 
war. the Mexican or the Civil wars; and to he a descendant of a signer of 
the Declaration of Independence or a president of Princeton Qniversit) is 
an honor which falls to ver\ few people. There is, however, one family in 
Gibson county which can claim as distinguished ancestr} as any in tin- state 
of Indiana, an ancestry which includes some of the most honored names of 
Revolutionary fame and which has continued down through the years of 
our country's historj as a family of high ideals and patriotic devotion to 
their land. The Witherspoon family has seen one of its distinguished ana 
t^Ts as the friend of Washington and Madison and Franklin and a signer 
of the Declaration ol Independence, others as valiant soldiers in the Revolu 
tion, others as heads of great educational institutions, •.titers as leaders in 
the Civil war. and all members of the family as high-minded citizens and 
patriots w ho loved their God, then country and their homes 

William I'. Withers] n was born near Patoka, Gibson county. Indiana, 

a.t the Witherspoon homestead on February i i. [848, being the sixth child of 
William I' and Parmelia (Berlin) Witherspoon. This famjlj of Wither- 
spo..ns w a branch of the Witherspoons of New Jersey, who were prominent 
patriots at the time of the War of the Revolution. John Witherspoon, father 
of William I'. Witherspoon, Sr., was born in 17511. and was a surgeon in 
the Continental army, serving three wars, and also attained to the degl 
of Doctor of Medicine. His uncle. John Witherspoon, was a signer of the 
Declaration of Independence, a member of the Continental Congress, and 



892 GIBSON COUNTY, INDIANA. 

afterwards president of Princeton College, New Jersey. After the close of 
the Revolutionary war, one branch of this family moved southward and 
William P. W'itherspoon, Sr., the father of the subject of this sketch, was 
born in Alabama in 1808, and, leaving his native state twenty years later, 
went north to southern Indiana. In 1833 he married Permelia Berlin, ami 
two years later purchased the farm where he resided until the time of his 
death, which occurred in 1892. His daughter, Zella, cared for him the last 
eleven years of his life. The wife and mother died in 1878. Their family 
consisted of nine children, seven boys and two girls, five of whom are now 
living. Mr. YVitherspoon pursued his first lessons in the Patoka schools and 
later attended school on the old Tippecanoe battle field, north of Lafayette, 
Indiana. He was but a lad when the Civil war broke out, and three years 
later, at the age of sixteen, he entered the ranks of the Union army, enlist- 
ing in Company G, One Hundred Forty-third Regiment Indiana Volunteer 
Infantry, in which he was first color guard, which place he occupied until 
the close of the war. He was mustered out at Nashville on October 17. 
1865. Three of his brothers also served in the Union arm}-: John was a 
member of Company H, Seventeenth Regiment Indiana Volunteer Infantry, 
and re-enlisted after the expiration of his first term of enlistment; Aloses 
and James were in Company A. Eightieth Regiment Indiana Volunteer In- 
fantry. After the war Mr. W'itherspoon lived with his father on the home 
farm until October, 1868, when he went to Vermillion county, Illinois, and 
took employment in the store of his cousin, J. R. W'itherspoon, of Fair- 
mount, where he remained for eighteen months. He then returned t<< 
Patoka for one year, and in 1870, in company with his brother, Moses, 
opened a store of general merchandise at Patoka, which they conducted until 
the spring of 1S7J. 

On the i-'th day of March. 1872. Air. W'itherspoon was married to 
Esther, daughter of Major and Martha (Thompson) Burroughs. Major 
Burroughs' father was born in Kentucky, and his mother in Pennsylvania. 
Mrs. Burroughs' father's parents came to this country from the northern 
part of Ireland and settled in Erie county. Pennsylvania, where Air. Thomp- 
son was born, grew to manhood and taught school for several years, later 
coming to Indiana, where he followed the same profession. He was married 
to Esther Payne, of Orange county. Xew York. From there they moved to 
Danville, Illinois, where he again took up the profession of teaching and 
continued in this line until five of his own children had attended school under 
his teaching. After he gave up this profession he was appointed register of 



GIBSON - COUNTY, INDIANA. 893 

the land office by the Presidenl of the United States, selling all the govern- 
ment land in Champaign and Vermillion counties, Illinois, during those years. 
He died in [863, his widow surviving him thirty-nine years, her death oc- 
curring in [902, at the advanced age of ninety-two years. 

Major Burroughs, .Mrs. Witherspoon's father, enlisted as a private in 
August, [862, in Company E, Seventy-third Regiment Illinois Infantry, 
which was organized at Fairmount, that state, and was called the "Preacher 
Regiment" on account of every regimental officer being a Methodisl minis- 
ter. At the time of the organization of this company Mr. Burroughs was 
elected captain anil one year later the major of the regiment died and Cap- 
tain Burroughs was promoted In the rank of major. However, Captain 
Burroughs commanded the regiment until the close of the war, as Colonel 
Jacques was absent most of the time, acting as spy for President Lincoln. 
Major Burroughs was with his regiment in ever} battle except one, he being 
sick in the hospital at that time. lie received a personal letter from General 
Thomas commending him upon his bravery in time of action. Major Bur- 
roughs and wife were Cumberland Presbyterians, he being superintendent 
of the Sabbath school for fourteen years and elder in the church from the 
time of its organization until it merged into the Presbyterian church in 1911, 
a period of forty years. Six children were horn to Major and Mis. Bur- 
roughs, two of whom survive, X. W . Burroughs, of Fairmount, Illinois, and 
Mrs. William 1'. Witherspoon. 

Mr. and Mrs. Withers] n purchased a farm in Vermillion county, 

Illinois, and remained in that slate for thirty-three years, the last ten ye 
of which period they resided in Homer. Champaign county, Illinois. During 
that time Mr. Witherspoon served on the hoard of education at Homer for 
ten years, was one of the first incorporators ol thi Homer Fair A.SS0cia1 
and was a member of the Vermillion Count) hair Association for sixteen 
years. He is a member of the Grand Army of the Republic, Archer Post of 
Princeton, and also belongs to the Modern Woodmen of America, with 
which order he has been prominently identified for the last twent) one years. 
In [905, although still having interests in Illinois land, they came to Gibson 
county. Indiana, and purchased the home where they now reside, the lludle- 
son homestead, and also invested in land in the White River bottoms, Mr. 
and Airs. With* have three children' Stella, who married Charles M. 

Cessna, a farmer and stock raiser and dealer of South Charleston. Ohio, and 
who has four children. C. Russell. Esther Lou, Florence and William liar- 
old; Wilson W.. who resides at Patoka, Indiana, married Cornelia French, 



8',4 GIBSON COUNTY, INDIANA. 

and they are the parents of two children, Wilson French and Esther Mar- 
garetta. Wilson Withersppon is interested in farming and stock raising in 
connection with his father: Myrtle M., who became the wife of James E. 
Hall, a mail clerk between Evansville and Chicago ;" they have one son, Ed- 
ward Gerald, and reside in Princeton, Indiana. Air. Witherspoon has one 
hundred and seventy-two acres in the home farm, two hundred and eightv 
acres of bottom land in this county and eighty-five acres in Vermillion county, 
Illinois. 



EDWARD RICKARD. 



The life of the farmer of today is the most independent existence which 
can be enjoyed, and with all the modern inventions to facilitate farming, it is 
rapidly losing those objections which have always appeared so ominous to the 
average farmer lad. Then, again, the public school has taken cognizance of 
the subject of fanning and today in the schools of Indiana farming is being 
taught and given as much attention as arithmetic. Our colleges are granting 
degrees in agriculture and farmers* short courses are being given everywhere 
throughout the state. The last Legislature of Indiana created a new county 
official for the sole benefit of the farmers of the state and the county agent 
promiA^ lo l»i- a wonderful help to the farmers. Xo better farming land can 
be found in the state than in Gibson county and among the man}- good farm- 
ers of the county there is none who has made more of a success of this time- 
honored occupation than Edward Rickard. 

Edward Rickard, the son of Henry and Mar}- (Hill) Rickard, was born 
December 25. 1854. in Columbia township, Gibson county. Indiana, on the 
farm where he has lived all of his life. His father was a native of North 
Carolina and came to Gibson count}' with his parents when he was a boy of 
seven years of age. Henry Rickard grew to manhood in this count}' and 
became one of the most substantial farmers of the township in which he lived. 
He was twice married, his first wile being Mary Hill. To the first marriage 
were born two children, Edward and Mrs. Amanda Jenkins, deceased. The 
second marriage of Henry Rickard was to Mrs. Elizabeth Wigs, and to this 
union were born two children, Mrs. Minnie Robb, of Gibson county, and Mrs. 
Amelia Beoshears. 

Edward Rickard received the practical education which was furnished 
by the district schools of his township and has supplemented it by a wide 
ranee of reading and close observation of men and events. He has lived a 



GIBSON COUNTY, INDIANA. 895 

plain, unostentatious life, free from all the worries of the business man, and 
reared his children to spheres of usefulness. He inherited two hundred acres 
of land from his father and has added forty acres, making him a total of two 
hundred and forty acres. 

Mr. Richard was married November u. [878, to America J. Ashby, the 
daughter of James and Cynthia \. ( Atkins) Ashby, of Pike county, and to 
this union there have been born five children: Lloyd, deceased; Clyde, de- 
ceased; Beryl, deceased; Effie, who is a graduate of the Oakland City high 
school, and still at home; Garrett E., the youngest child, who is also now 
staying at home. Garrett is making an enviable record in the teaching pro- 
fession, having been principal of the Oakland City high school for the past 
four years. After graduating from the ( )akland City high school he entered 
the State University at Bloomington where he graduated in June, [913, with 
the degree of Bachelor of Arts. He has also taken work in the University of 
Chicago and expects to complete the work in that institution leading to the 
degree of Master of Arts. He is meeting with pronounced success in his 
chosen field of history teaching and, judging from the past, the future holds 
additional honors for him. 

The first wife of Edward Rickard died January 22, 1900, and on Decem- 
ber 3, 1902, he was married to Bertha A. Williams, the daughter of Edward 
and Bertha (Gorlets) Williams. Both of her parents were natives of Ger- 
many and reared a family of five children: Mrs. Cora Klenck, Lucy Kelle, 
deceased, H. Edward. Mrs. Edward Rickard and Mrs. Anna Maker. 

Mr. Rickard has carried on a system of diversified farming and by a 
skilful rotation of his crops has been able to keep his land in a high state of 
productivity. He has all the latest implements and tools necessary to the 
up-to-date fanner and is classed as one of the most scientific farmer- of the 
county. 

Mr. Rickard has been a Democrat, although not a partisan in the strict 
sense of the word, in local elections he prefers to vote for the best man, 
irrespective of his party affiliations. Mr. Rickard was elected to the ol 
of township trustee in his home township in 1005 and filled that important 
office to the entire satisfaction of the citizens of the township. In his church 
relations he has long been a member of the General Baptist church, while his 
wife maintains her membership in the Presbyterian church. Mrs. Rickard 
i- a woman of intelligence and culture and is affable and pleasant in all of her 
social relations. Mr. Rickard i< the kind of a man who wins the respect and 
esteem ol all of those with whom he is associated. 



896 GIBSON COUNTY, INDIANA. 

J. W. McGOWAN, M. D. 

It is not always easy to discover and define the hidden forces that move 
a life of ceaseless activity and large professional success; little more can be 
done than to note their manifestation in the career of the individual under 
consideration. In view of this fact the life of the successful physician and 
public-spirited man of affairs whose name appears above affords a striking 
example of well-defined purpose, with the ability to make that purpose sub- 
serve not only his own ends but the good of his fellow men as well. Doctor 
McGowan holds distinctive prestige in a calling which requires for its basis 
sound mentality and intellectual discipline of a high order, supplemented by 
the rigid professional training and thorough mastery of technical knowledge, 
with the skill to apply the same, without which one cannot hope to rise above 
mediocrity in ministering to human ills. In his chosen field of endeavor 
Doctor McGowan has achieved a notable success and an eminent standing 
among the medical men of his county. In addition to his creditable career in 
one of the most useful and exacting of professions, he has also proved an 
honorable member of the body politic, rising in the confidence and esteem of 
the public, and in every relation of life he has never fallen below the dignity 
of true manhood nor in any way resorted to methods that have invited criti- 
cism or censure. 

J. W. McGowan is a native of the old Blue Grass state, .having been born 
at Monticello. Wayne count}". Kentucky, on January 22, 1855. His parents. 
Dr. W. J. and Delila J. (Ramsey) McGowan, were also natives of Wayne 
county, but they moved to Gibson county, Indiana, in 1862, locating at Prince- 
ton. During the Civil war Dr. W. J. McGowan was a hospital or contract 
surgeon, but after his return from the scenes of war he entered upon the prac- 
tice of his profession at Oakland City, where he remained until his death, 
which occurred on March 13. 1895. lie was a graduate of the University at 
Louisville, and was a man of marked intellectual attainments. He was a mem- 
ber of the lower house of the Indiana State Legislature about 1870. being a 
Democrat in his political world. His widow, who is now seventy-eight years 
of age, makes her home with the subject of this sketch. He was one of four 
children, the other three dying in childhood. 

The subject of this sketch received his elementary education in the public 
schools of Oakland City. His father was engaged in the drug business in this 
city and for a while young McGowan was employed in this store, thus gaining 




DR. J. W. McGOWAX 



GIBSON COUNTY, INDIANA. 897 

first hand much valuable information relative to chemical and pharmaceutical 
matters. In 1877 young Mel ii >wan matriculated in the medical department of 
the University at Louisville, where he was graduated in 188] with the dej 
of Doctor of Medicine. He was then for four years a student at North- 
western University at Chicago, graduating in 1885. He took several p< 
graduate courses, including one in 1889 at the University at Louisville, and in 
1896 at the Post-Graduate .Medical School of Chicago. Doctor McGowan be- 
gan active practice of his profession in [878 at Eureka, Spencer county, Indi- 
ana, but six months later came to Oakland City where he has been engaged 
continuously in the practice since, with the exception of the year-- [889 and 
10, when he was surgeon of the Montana Territory prison at Deer Lodge, 
.Montana. He is a member of the Oakland City Medical Society, of which he 
is president, and of the Gibson County Medical Society, the Indiana State 
Medical Society and the American Medical Association, lie i^ surgeon 
the Southern Railway and a member of the Association of Surgeons for the 
Southern Railway. He specialize in surgery and ha!- performed successfully 
man) difficult operations. He possesses a well-equipped office in every respect. 
including a large and well selected library of professional literature and keeps 
closely in touch with the most advanced thought relative to his profession. 
He has been successful in his material affairs and is the owner of a splendid 
farm a few- miles north of Oakland City, where he makes a specialty of breed- 
ing and raising trotting horses, having a si e fi >r th< >se animals. 

In December, 1012, Dr. McGowan was married to Audie M. (Traylor) 
1 rrim, of Winslow, Indiana. 

Politically. Dr. McGowan is a stanch advocate of the Democratic party, 
and has served as a member of the council of Oakland City and was treasurer 
of that corporation. Fraternally, he is a member of the free and Accepted 
Masons, belonging to the blue lodge, the chapter of Royal Arch Masons, the 
council of Royal and Select Masters al 1 'Aland City, the commander) 
Knights Templar at Princeton, while in the Scottish Kite he bel the 

Lodge of Perfection at Fvansville and the I bnsistory, thirt) second degree, at 
Indianapolis. He is also a member ol the Knights of Pythias, the Tribe of 
Ben-Hur and the Modern Woodi America. Religiously, he is an earn- 

est member of the Methodist Episcopal church, to which he contributes liber- 
ally. He is a man of many sterling characteristics of head and heart and 
among his contemporaries it would he hard to find a record as replete with 
duty faithfully performed in rdl the walks of life, while his career in the 
(57) 



8< .S GIBSON COUNTY, INDIANA. 

humble sphere of private citizenship ha? been such as to commend him to the 
favorable consideration of the best people of Gibson county, where he has 
long maintained his residence. 



JOHN H. BERGER. 



Among the self-made men of Center township, Gibson county, who 
started in life with practically nothing and have attained to a position of 
tence and prominence in the affairs of their locality, is John H. Berger, 
the proprietor of a one-hundred-and-sixty-acre farm in Center township. He 
is a type of the farmer who. without irn ney or friends to start in with, relied 
upon his own determination and ability to gain his success. 

John H. Berger was born in Armstrong township. Vanderburg county, 
Indiana. May 6. 1852, and received a good, practical common school educa- 
tion in the schools of his home county. Early in life he was left to his own 
resources and worked at any honest toil which offered him a fair return for 
his labor. In addition to working by the day, he learned the carpenter trade 
and was in a fair way of making a success of this when his health com- 
pelled him to abandon the profession. Me then came to Gibson county and 
began farming in what is now Union township. Later he came to Center 
township and purchased one hundred and sixty acres. After he had bought 
his farm he began to improve it in various ways and by a skillful system ol 
crop rotation he increased the productivity of the soil so that he was enabled 
to realize a handsome return on bis farming each year. In addition to rais- 
ing all the crops of grains common to this locality, he also stocked his farm 
and added not a little to his annual income from the sale of stock. 

.Mr. Berger was married on October 24, 1S77, to Wilhelmina Haag, the 
daughtei of John and Christina (Schillinger) Maag. His wife's parents 
were natives of Germany and came to the United States and settled in Van- 
derburg county, Indiana, among the early settlers of that part of the state. 
Thev came to this county before their marriage and were later married in 
Vanderburg county, where they lived and reared a family. John Haag 
died as a soldier of the Civil war in Louisiana. Mr. and Mrs. Berger are 
the parents of four children: John G., a general contractor of this county; 
Dora M-, who married William Strunck, a merchant of Buckskin, Indiana: 
Emma C, the wife of William II. Block, a farmer of Center township, and 



GIBSON COUNTY, INDIANA. N< jg 

Walter, who is still at home with his parents. About twenty years ago Mr. 
Berger was severely injured as the resull oi a fall, and since thai time has 
not been actively engaged in farming. His son. Walter, is now operating 
the farm under his father's superintendence. 

\h Berger has been a member of the Republican party since reaching 
his majority and has been honored by his part) on more than one occasion. 
When he was onl) twenty-six years of age he was elected township asses 
of his township, and discharged the duties of thai office in a highly satis- 
factory manner. In 1900 he was elected county assessor and held that im- 
portant office for six years, filling it to the entire satisfaction of the citizen-, 
of the county. His work a-, assessor was of such a nature as to render him 
one of the best men in the employ of the United States census bureau in 
1910. He took the examination under the civil service rules and passed with 
a high grade, and was assigned to ' enter township. 

Religiously, the Berger family are members of the German Evangelical 
church : ttribute liberally of their time and means to its support. Mr 

Berger has lived a bus) am! useful life in this county, and as a private citizen 
and as a public official he has measured up to the full standard of American 
citizenship. For this reason he iv justly regarded as a representative man of 
ln's township and county. 



DR. WILLIAM P. WELBORN. 

The success of men in business or am vocation depends upon charai 
as well as upon knowledge, it being a -elf evident proposition that honesl 
the best policy. Business demands confidence and where that is lacking busi- 
ness ends. In every community some men are known for their upright lives, 
strong common sense and moral worth rather than for their wealth of politi- 
cal standing. Their neighbors and acquaintances respect them, the younger 
generation heed their example, and when they "wrap the draper)- of their 
couches about them and lie down to pleasant dreams" posterit) listens with 
reverence to the story of their quiet and useful lives. Among such men of a 
past generation in Indiana was the late Dr. William 1'. Welborn, of Prince- 
ton, Gibson count)'. Indiana, who «> nol only a progressive man of affairs 
successful in material pursuits, but a man of modest and unassuming de- 
meanor, well educated, a tine type of the reliable, self-made American, a 
friend to the poor, charitable to the faults of his neighbors ami always read) 



900 GIBSON COUNTY, INDIANA. 

to unite with them in every good work and active in the support of laudable 
public enterprises. He was proud of Princeton and of the grand state of 
Indiana and zealous of their progress and prosperity. He was a man who in 
every respect merited the high esteem in which he was universally held, for 
he was a man of public spirit, intellectual attainments and exemplary charac- 
ter. 

Dr. William P. Welborn was born near Owensville, Indiana, on Feb- 
ruary J 4, 1837, and died at his home in Princeton, on February 12, \. 
His father. Samuel P. Welborn, was one of the early .settlers of Gibson 
count}' and during his active years was one of the most prominent men in 
the public affairs of the community. He was the father of eleven children. 

Dr. William P. Welborn was reared on a farm and early became accus- 
tomed to labor of the most strenuous kind, which, probably more than any- 
thing else, fitted him for the battles of his later life, giving him a good phys- 
ical constitution and habits of industry, perseverance and energy, which con- 
tributed largely to his later success. He secured his early education in the 
district schools and academies and then attended one term in the State Uni- 
versity at Bloomington, Indiana. He had early entertained an ambition to 
become a doctor and with that end in view he began the reading of medicine 
in the office of Doctor Cook at ( Iwensville, this county, after which he took 
a full course in a medical college in Philadelphia, where he graduated a year 
or two prior to the opening of the Civil war. He immediately entered upon 
the active practice of his profession at Owensville. but upon his country's 
call for helpers he enlisted in 1862 as assistant surgeon of the Eightieth 
Regiment Indiana Volunteer Infantry, with which command he remained 
until the close of the war. That he was faithful in the performance of his 
duty was the unanimous testimony of those who were familiar with his 
army record and he retired from the service with the consciousness of duty 
well done. His natural kindness of heart prompted him to do even more 
than the strict regulations required of him, ministering to the needs of the 
sick and wounded soldiers. This unremitting service brought serious sick- 
ness to himself during his army service and to this sickness can be mainly at- 
tributed the disease which remained with him in after life and which event- 
ually resulted in his death. After the close of the war. Doctor Welborn 
came to Princeton and engaged in the practice of his profession, which com- 
manded his attention until 1870. In that year he was nominated by the 
Democratic party as a candidate for county clerk, to which office he was 
elected and entered upon the discharge of his duties. So satisfactory was 



GIBSON COUNTY, INDIANA. QOI 

his administration thai he was re-elected in [874 and thus completed a 
service oi eight years in the office. During the latter part of his official 
term Docti >r Welbi >rn was appi linted receiver [1 >r the ' ribsi m < '< unity Bank and 
in addition to his official duties a- county clerk, he successfully handled and 
settled up the affairs of this defunct institution. Upon the expiration of his 
official term. Doctor Welborn associated with \V. 1). Downey in the dry 
goods business, which the) carried mi for sev irs, hut in the meantime, 

having been elected cashier of the People's National Bank and finding that 
the duties of the position required practically all his time, he disposed of his 
mercantile interests. For over fifteen years prim- to his death he served effi- 
ciently as cashier of the People's Hank, and the splendid success which at- 
tended this institution was largely due to the wise direction and personal 
intluence which he gave to the bank. \ deep student of financial questions, 
.his accurate judgment and wise counsels were considered invaluable to th 
in need of advice and in many ways he contributed largely to the success of 
several business institutions in this locality. For nearly two decades Mr. 
Welborn was a member of the city school board and contributed to the ex- 
tent of his abilitv to the success of our educational system. 

Religiously, Doctor Welborn was a life-long member of the Presby- 
terian church, with which he became affiliated upon his return from the 
army, and shortly after which time he was made a ruling elder, serving 
faithfully and efficiently in this capacity during the remaining years of his 
life. In thi> service, as in .all others to which he was called, he gave his 
most sincere and healthy effort. He was devoted t" his church and de- 
lighted himself in its ordinances. Well and truly has it been said. "The 
serene, silent beauty of a holy life i- the most powerful intluence in the 
world, next to the might of God." 

The announcement of Doctor Welborn's death came as a distinct shock 
to the community which he had >o long honored by his residence, though it 
was well known that his health had been in a precarious condition for sev- 
eral weeks, but be bad in so large a measure tilled a place in the community 
that for the time bein^ it seemed as if the l>>ss was irreparable. The funeral 
services were held at the late home of the deceased on South Hart street. 
Princeton, on February 11. 1898, the sixty-i rsl anniversary of his birth, and 
was attended by a vast concourse of friends and citizens who thus desired to 
pa\ their last tribute t" the honored dead. 

As a marked testimonial to the high standing occupied by Doctor Wel- 
born in the community was the public memorial which was held by the con- 



gO_' GIBSON COUNTY, INDIANA. 



fc> 



gregation of the First Presbyterian church on Sunday, February jo. 1898, 
the occasion thus giving civic expression to the congregation's sense of loss 
as well as a tribute to the character and worth of one who had borne so 
great a part of the work of the church for many years. Among the splendid 
tributes paid to Doctor Welborn 011 this occasion the following words are 
quoted : 

From Rev. A. J. Kerr, a former pastor of this chinch, then residing in 
New York City : 

''As pastor of the church in which he was for many years a ruling 
elder, and which he loved, and which he knew 1 loved, J was closely a 
ciated with him for almost three years. 1 saw him in times of perplexity 
and sorrow as well as in seasons of comfort and satisfaction and joy, and 
my estimation of him enlarged and my love for him deepened as the months 
went on. 

"What he was as a personal friend thousands can testify. His kind- 
ness was so unvarying and so wide in its reach that people went to him as a 
matter of course, sure of sympathy and aid. His wisdom in business affairs 
was so conservative, in the sense of that word, so sound that men learned to 
trust him as a brother, and young men went to him as they would go to a 
helpful father. 

"And now another name. and. 1 must say in all calmness, one of the 
truest and greatest in the whole city directory, is added to the number who 
have gone up to join the company triumphant. He is among those who. hav- 
ing finished their course and kept their faith, are assembled with the apostles 
and prophets and martyrs and saints in the City of God. What a glorious 
host ! I mourn with his beloved family, with you, with my own family; but I 
also rejoice with you all because we have another representative among that 
noble multitude who see God face to face. 

"1 do not know of any better recommendation of the church of Christ 
in Princeton than Doctor Welborn. His estimate of the value of Christianity 
was shown : 

1 1 I By his devotion to the church. He was not a man to devote him- 
self lightly or blindly to anything, hut he did devote himself to his church. 
He was always in his place on the Sabbath day. He loved the services of 
the sanctuary and allowed them to exercise their due inHuence upon his life. 

(2) He carefully brought up his family in the same way. He led 
them to the House of God. They didn't wander hither and thither as their 
miniature fancy might choose. He saw the supreme value of personal re- 



GIBSON COUNTY, INDIANA. 9O3 

ligicni to each of them, and what the power of the church is in human lives, 
and he rejoiced at seeing his four boys fellow members with him in the* fold. 

(3) His gifts, then, became the natural expression of religion in his 
heart. He gave largely and. liberally to his own church, but his interesl went 
beyond his own. 1 suppose there were few churches in the whole county that 
did not share his bounty. But his gifts were not limited there. lie appre- 
ciated the great work of giving the Gospel to the destitute parts of our land 
and t'» the people whose lol i- cast under foreign skies, and he gladl) con 
tributed to their salvation. 

"Doctor Welborn was a frequent representative of hi-- church in the 
presbytery, where his counsel was highly appreciated, and he was sent more 
than once to both the state synod and national general assembly, as a 
fitting man to take part in church affairs that were of world-wide importance. 

"1 am thankful that 1 knew him. 1 rejoice in sharing with you the 
honor which his life reflects upon our common humanity." 

Front the Sabbath school of the Presbyterian church was presented a 
memorial from which the following words arc quoted: 

"When we contemplate the career of htm whose name is on our lips 
today, we are constraint- that 'Life is worth living,' and worth living 

it like steadfast men with Christian faith and trust. 

"He was not onh a successful man in handling the various temporal 
affairs with which he was connected all along his life, hut gave many y< 
to the most zealous service of tile Lord. He was faithful beyond measure to 
ever} service ol the sanctuary, and seldom indeed was he ever missed from' 
his accustomed place on the Lord's day. from Sabbath school, from prayer 
meeting, from meetings of the official boards of this, the First Presbyterian 
church, he loved so well. Loving his church with all the strength of well- 
grounded principles, he was nevertheless liberal and charitable to the con- 
scientious convictions of those who differed from him. 

"As a man he was kind, courteous and warm-hearted; faithful in the 
discharge of all his duties; earnest and consistent in Ins devotion to prii 
pies; and. always helpful to others, he lived a quiet, useful and godlv life. 

"lie was indeed a man 'diligent in business, fervent in spirit, serving 
the Lord.' in him we have a noble example of man. citizen, soldier, mer- 
chant, public servant. Christian; and of him we mav on this occasion 
speak rather in the Ian.: m of life than in words befitting a 

tribute to the dead." 



()04 GIBSON COUNTY, INDIANA. 

The following was presented as a tribute from the session, of which 
Doctor Welborn had long been a member: 

"Whereas, It has pleased Almighty God, in His great wisdom and love, 
to call from our church to the church triumphant, our esteemed and much 
loved brother and elder. Dr. William P. Welborn; and, 

"Whereas, The session of this church, recognizing well the valuable 
and lasting service he so nobly rendered this session and this church, by his 
Christian life and conduct and by his prudence ami wisdom in its highest 
councils; and being deeply sensible of the loss sustained by this session and 
this church, he served so faithfully and so well: and recognizing that in all 
positions which he held he worked earnestly for the advancement of the 
church and the great cause of his Master, with untiring zeal and devotion. 
Therefore, be it 

"Resolved, That this, the session of the First Presbyterian church of 
the city of Princeton, Indiana, give tin's expression of its deep appreciation 
of his life and labor, and of the love and esteem borne him, who has passed 
from us. and that it extend its sincere Christian sympathj to his family in 
their sad bereavement, in the death of a true, loving Christian husband and 
father, and that these resolutions lie spread upon the minutes of this session 
and a copy be furnished the family." 

On May 5, 1869, William P. Welborn was united in marriage with 
Mary Jerauld, daughter of the late George X. Jerauld, who for so many 
vears was a prominent merchant of Princeton. To that union were born six 
children, of whom two daughters died in infancy, while four sons survived 
their father, namely : Jerauld, Oscar, Maurice and Charles. 



JOHN WHITE. 

Clearly defined purpose and consecutive effort in the affairs of life will 
inevitably result in a due measure of success, but in following out the career 
of one who has attained success by his own efforts there comes into view the 
intrinsic individuality which made such accomplishment possible and thus 
there is granted an objective incentive and inspiration, while at the same there 
is enkindled a feeling of respect and admiration. The qualities which have 
made the subject of this sketch one of the prominent and successful farmers 
and public officials of Gibson county have also brought him the esteem of 



GIBSON COUNTY, INDIANA. Q05 

his fellow citizens, for his career has been one of well-directed energy, 
strong determination and honorable methods. 

John White, one of the most prominent fanners of Center township, 
Gibson county, Indiana, was born January 7, 1859, in Evansville, Indiana. 
His parents were Alfred and Milliscent 1 tnwood) White, both of whom v. 
natives of England, and his father is still living and at the present time is 
residing in California at the advanced age of ei our years. Mr. and 

Mrs. Alfred White were the parents of five children, all of whom are living 
except one daughter. 

John White received his early education in the district schools of Van- 
derburg count} 7 , this state, and passed his boyhood days in the city of 
Evansville, performing all those mutitudinous chores which fall to the 
of the average boy. Here he was given that practical, out-door education 
which has stood him in such good stead in after life. On August 28, 1881, 
he was married to Sarah J. Scott, and to this union were born six children, 
Mrs. Laura I'. White, of Princeton; Albert, deceased; Caroline, deceased; 
Frank lives in Terre Haute, Indiana: Mrs. Frances Vaughn lives on a farm 
near Petersburg, Indiana; Milliscent, of Evansville. Mr. White was mar- 
ried a second time to Pauline George, on October 24, 1901). She was a 
daughter of John M. and Pauline (Bass 1 George, her father being a 
native of France, while her mother was a native of Indiana. Mr. and Mrs. 
George were the parents of nine children. Mrs. White hem- the eighth child 
in < irder of birth. 

Mr. White is engaged in diversified farming and successfully raises all 
the crops common to this section of the state, lie is well read on all the 
latest and mosl improved methods of agriculture and does not hesitate 
keep himself well supplied with the latest farming implements and machinery. 
\s a result he is justly regarded a- "lie of the most progressive and up-to- 
date farmers in the township, lie has so conducted his affairs that he has 
been fortunate to lay aside a competence which insures him comfort in his 
old age. lie is a stockholder and director in the Francisco State Bank. 
Mr. White has always taken an intelligent interest in political affairs. Fra- 
ternally, he is a member of the Tribe of Ben-Hur, of Francisco, lie and his 
wife are faithful and earnest members of the Regular Baptist church, and 
are interested in all the activities which that particular church fosters. Mr. 
Wdiite is a genial, straightforward man. one who has the greatest sympathy 
for his fellow man. and is always read] to aid and encourage those who are 
struggling to aid themselves. He is a man of strong convictions and when 



906 GIBSON COUNTY, INDIANA. 

he believes that he is on the right side nothing can swerve him from it. 
Home life with him is a sacred trust and friendships are inviolable. A man 
of gentle and unassuming demeanor, he has by his strict integrity won the 
esteem of a large circle of friends and acquaintances in the community 
which has been honored by his citizenship for so many years. 



HENRY F. BROADWELL. 

Those who faced every danger am] death itself upon the battle fields of 
the Civil War and bore suffering and made sacrifices for their country's sake 
are especially deserving of mention in these annals. The younger generation 
should never forget that to them is due a debt of gratitude which can never 
be repaid, as the prosperity, liberty and happiness which we now enjoy is the 
direct outcome of their labors and loyalty. Among the honored veterans 
who have answered the last roll call, the late Henry F. Broadwell was one 
who gave three of the best wars of his life to the service of his country and 
then returned to his home ami lived a life of usefulness and honor until his 
death, on September 20. 1908. 

Henry F. Broadwell. the son of Henry and Elizabeth ( Poison) ! '.road- 
well, was born October 1, 1838, in Warrick county. Indiana. His father 
was a native of North Carolina, while his mother was born in Virginia. His 
father was one of the earliest settlers of Warrick couut\" and was identified 
with the agricultural interests of that county all his life. 

The subject of this sketch was reared upon the home farm in the usual 
manner of boys of that period and received the meager schooling which the 
ntry schools afforded at the time. When still quite young he began to 
assist in the duties on the farm, working in the fields from the time of early 
spring planting until after the crops were harvested in the late autumn. 
When the news of the fall of Fort Sumter was flashed throughout the 
ci mntry he felt that his first duty was to his country, so he donned the blue 
uniform of the nation and went south in defense of the Union cause. He 
was a member of Company A, Fifty-eighth Regiment of Indiana Volunteer 
[nfantry, which was recruited in Gibson county, and served with gallant 
distinction throughout the war. He saw hard fighting and underwent all of 
those hardships which fell to the lot of every soldier, thus demonstrating his 
fidelitv to his beloved countrv. 





; ^H 






■> 


<^H 




r '• --v W 












•ivr'^^^r 


t <•»* 




'- 


// 

/x 


' 




• 


■ JSm ' i 

3 

m 

■ 


/^ 






■■ 


- 



JOSIAH RIGHTLY. 



GIBSON COUNTY, INDIANA. 907 

Immediately a iter the close of the war he returned to this county and 
married Sarah A. Downing, the daughter of James and Sarah E. I Drysdale) 
Downing. I lis wife's father was born in Pose) county and her mother in 
Kentucky. Mr. and Mrs. Broadwell were the parents oi .1 large family oi 
eight children : Mrs. Belle Mead: Mrs. .Mary 1). Mandis; I ). S. Broadwell; 
James L., deceased; Rufus A.; Airs. Emma C. Witherspoon ; Mrs. Elizabeth 
E. Boyd; and John W. After the death of her husband, in 1908, Mrs. 
Broadwell went to live with her sun, D. S. Broadwell, and they are now 
residing on the old home place in Center township. Her son is unmarried 
ami she is -till able to d< 1 a considerable amount of work despite her advanced 
age. They are both members of the Methodist Episcopal church. 

The late Mr. Broadwell was a life-long Republican and at one time 
elected assessor of I enter township, an office which he filled in his credit and 
to the universal satisfaction of the entire township, lie always took a very 
active part in all the deliberations of his party and was frequently consul 
by the leaders of his party. His whole life was marked by strict integrity 
and honest endeavor and he followed a course from which nothing could 
swerve him as long as he believed he was in the right. This determined 
ilty to what he thought was right was .me of his strongest and most com- 
mendable trail- of character and enabled him to command the confidence and 
esteem 1 >\ all. 



FR WA IS 1. KIGHTLY. 



The life history of him whose name heads this sketch has been for more 
than three so ire years closely identified with the history of Gibson county, 
Indiana. Throughout the years his life has been untiring activity 

and it has been crowned with a degree of success obtained by comparatively 
few who aspire to leadership in their calling. Years of conscientious work 
as a farmer have brought him not only a comfortable competence, hut the 
knowledge that he has been of greal benefil to the social and moral welfare 
of his community as well. By a straightforward and honorable course he 
ha- been successful to a marked degree and hi- life affords a splendid 
imple of what an American youth plentifully endowed with good common 
sense, integrity and determination can accomplish when accompanied by 
good moral principles. A- a citizen he i- public spirited and enterprising, 
and a- a friend and neighbor he combines the qualities of head and h< 



908 GIBSON COUNTY, INDIANA. 

that have won confidence and commanded respect throughout the county. 
His entire accomplishments represent the results of the utilization of the 
innate talents which are his and the directing of his efforts along those lines 
where mature judgment and rare discrimination have led the way. As a 
representative of one of the oldest families of the county, he has a heritage 
ot all those good qualities which go to make up a good citizen. 

Francis J. Kightly, the son of Josiah and Elizabeth Kightly, was born 
August 13, 1849, 1U Evansville, Indiana. His parents were both natives of 
England, the lather's birth occurring January 1, 1822. His father was twice 
married. After the death of his first wife, October 29, 1865. he married 
Sarah Wroe on April 8, 1867. To the first marriage were born the following 
children: Francis Josiah, the immediate subject of this sketch; William 
Wroe; Sarah Jane; Alary Elizabeth; Samuel Wroe; Emma K. and John 
Russell. The second union was blessed with the following children : Lucy, 
Alice May, John William. Mr. Kightly' s second wife died January 11, 
1898. The sketch of William S. Ennes, elsewhere in this volume, gives ad- 
ditional facts of the Kightly family. 

Francis J. Kightly, the eldest son by the first marriage, was educated 
in the district schools of Gibson county, and in his younger days worked on 
the farm and has spent his whole life in agricultural pursuits. As a farmer 
he has adopted all of the modern improvements in that line of endeavor and 
has five hundred acres of as well improved land as can be found in the state. 
At the present time he has several tenants on his farms and has retired from 
the active duties of farm life. 

Mr. Kightly has been twice married. I lis first wife was Lucinda Ed- 
wards, of this county, to whom he was married on September 1, 1880. 
After the death of his first wife he was united in marriage, on April 28, 
1903, to Dell Brimer. the daughter of James and Cynthia (Key) Brimer. 
Mr. Key is a native of Kentucky and his wife of England. 

Mr. Kightly has been a life-long Republican, but the fact that his town- 
ship and county is overwhelmingly Democratic has kept him from being an 
office holder. He has been a member of the Independent Order of Odd' 
Fellows at Hazelton for more than thirty-five years, and has always taken a 
prominent part in the deliberations of that order. He has always affiliated 
with the Methodist Episcopal church at Hazelton and has been a liberal con- 
tributor to the support of that denomination. Mrs. Kightly is a member of 
the General Baptist church. 

Mr. Kightly comes of a splendid family, one of the oldest in the county, 



GIBSON COUNTY, INDIANA. QXX) 

and has always been .strong for right living and industrious habits, for edu- 
cation and morality, for loyalty to the governmenl and lor all that con- 
tributes to the welfare of the community. Sheer force of personalit) and 
determination, coupled with soundness of judgment and keen discrimination, 
has brought him the success which he so right!) deserves. He ha- proved 
an honorable member of the body politic and in every relation of life has 
never fallen below the true dignity of manhood, nor in any way resorted to 
methods that invited the censure of hi-- fellow citizens. As the scion of a 
most excellent family he has maintained tin ire- ige oi all the honored de 
scendants i >f that family. 



MARYFIELD M. COLEMAN. 

It is a well authenticated fact that success comes as the result of 1< 
imate and well applied energy, unflagging determination and perseverai 
in a course of action, when once decided upon. She is never known to 
smile upon the idler or dreamer and she never courts the loafer, and only 
the men who have diligently sought her favor are crowned with her blessings, 
In tracing the history of the influential farmer and representative citizen 
of Oakland City, Gibson county, whose name forms the caption of this 
review, it is plainly seen that the prosperity which he enjoys has been i 
by commendable qualities and it is also his personal worth that has gained 
for him the high esteem of those who know him. 

Maryfield M. Coleman firsl saw the light of day on March 8, [845. in 
Monroe township. Pike count}'. Indiana, being a sou of Conrad and Nelli 
Coleman. Conrad Coleman was born in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, in [809 
and his wife was born in Pike county. Indiana, in [812. When a I 
Coleman went with his father. Joseph, to Barren county. Kentucky, wh 
they got wild land which they cleared and established their home. Joseph 
Coleman was a prosperous farmer in his day, and was the owner of o 
siderable land. 

When a boy of four years, Conrad Coleman lost his lower left arm, 
being injured in an old corn mill He attended school at Glasgow. Ken- 
tucky, receiving an excellent education for those day-, lie remained under 
the parental roof until he reached the age of twenty-one years, and in 
1830 he came to Indiana, locating in Monroe township. Pike county, wh 
he got wild land. In all. he acquired six hundred and forty acres, and 



9IO GIBSON COUNTY, INDIANA. 

had a large portion of it cleared. He raised and dealt extensively in live 
stock, cattle, horses, sheep, mules and jacks. He seemed to be but slightly 
handicapped by the loss of his arm and in his prime could use an ax and 
accomplish as much hard work as one whole in body. He was a man of 
great energy and ability who took a great interest in the progress of 
affairs in his county. It was he who made the first assessment of the whole 
of Pike county and did a great deal of other tedious clerical work in the 
same cause. At the age of forty-five, his health failed him, probably due 
to the ceaseless demands upon his strength, and he then retired from active 
labor for the rest of his life. His death occurred July iq, 1855, and his 
wife lived until the fall of 1880. He was originally a Whig, but at the 
dissolution of that party, gave his earnest support to the Republican part)-. 
He was a consistent member of the Baptist church and did much to further 
the cause of that society in his community. To Conrad Coleman and wife 
were born ten children, namely: Jane, deceased, married John PeMaster anil 
had three children; Alary Emily, deceased, the wife of Jackson Pancake, 
deceased; Luvina, deceased, the wife of John Mason, who died at Nash- 
ville, Tennessee, during the Civil War; Joseph \'., a retired farmer living 
in Oakland City, who married Barbara Beatty; Henry, deceased, a farmer 
in Pike county, who married Elizabeth Parker; Mahala. deceased, who mar- 
ried John English; Maryfield M., the immediate subject of this sketch; 
Joshua, deceased, who married Nancy Deter, of Pike county; Xancv Ellen, 
the wife of James Gillman. residing in the same county, and Susan, who 
died when small. 

Maryfield M. Coleman received but a small amount of schooling when 
a lad, and remained with his parents until seventeen, when he started out 
in life for himself. On April 5. 1866. he was united in marriage with 
Catherine Xossett, of Columbia township, Gibson count}-, a daughter of 
William Xossett. who had come from Ohio originally, and was one of the 
first settlers in Columbia township. Pie was a farmer and also a black- 
smith, ami both he and his wife closed their lives at the home they had 
male when coming to Gibson county. To Mr. Coleman, by his first mar- 
riage, were born five children, the eldest being Warrick, druggist and 
trustee, at Winslow, Indiana; Lucy, the wife of George Duncan, of Pike 
county, Indiana: Edgar, who is a breeder of fine cattle and jacks, at Muren, 
Indiana. His wife was Carrie Humsucker. The fourth child is Millard, who 
is in the livery business at Oakland City. His wife was Zillie Reed. The 
fifth child was Ada. wdio died when sixteen vears of age. Catherine Nos- 



BSON COUNTY, [NDIANA. 9II 

sett Coleman died July 25, [8qo, and he was married for the second time, on 
Jul_\- 3O) [901, t" Catherine Martin, of Pike county. She was the widow of 
Adam Martin and a daughter of Joseph and Margaret (Kime) Loveless. 
The mother was originally from Tennessee, while the father is a native 
ot Pike county, whose father was one of the first settlers there, coming 
from South Carolina. Joseph Loveless died March 28, [8^3, and his wife's 
death occurred July 23, [901. 

Maryfield M. Coleman was only twenty years of age when he re- 
turned from the war and settled in Monroe township, Pike county, lie se- 
cured a tract of heavily timbered land which he cleared off and started 
to make a comfortable home. Here he lived for thirty years and had two 
hundred and seventy acres of land under cultivation. On July 10. 1895, he 
left his home and moved to Oakland City, where he has since resided. Ik- 
clerked for a while and also sold clothing and dry goods for two wars. 

It was on December 9, 1861, that .Mr. Coleman enlisted in Company 
D, Fifty-eighth Regiment Indiana Volunteer Infantry, in Pike county. 
Indiana. He was sent to Evansville, then to Indianapolis, and then to 
mp Short, at Louisville. lie was not there long and was sent on to 
Nashville, Tennessee, where his company engaged in the battle of Shiloh, and 
was afterwards in pursuit of General Bragg to Louisville. Nashville and 
Bardstown, Kentucky, and engaged in the battle of Perrysville. They were 
ordered on to Nashville and were in the important engagements of the 
war; the battle of Stone's River, Chattan a, ' hickamauga, and Mission- 
ary Ridge. They were later ordered to Chattanooga, and on May 12, }> 
his regiment started on the Atlanta campaign, with Sherman, and continued 
with him < .11 his march to the sea. On January 20, 1865, they had reached 
Savannah, Georgia, on the return trip, and, passing on through the Caro- 
linas and Virginia, participated in the Grand Review at Washington. I). I 
in Maw 1865. He was then returned to Louisville and received his dis- 
charge on |ulv 25, [865. ile went to Indianapolis t,, be paid oft. and then 
returned home, having seen an unusual amount of active service and. having 
gone through the various engagements unscathed. Mr. Coleman is a member 
of the Grand Army of the Republic, at Oakland City, and his religious con 
nection is with the Presbyterian church at that place. 

On account of their many agreeable qualities, Mr. ami Mrs. Coleman 
have endeared themselves to the people of Oakland City, and as he is a 
man of upright character, unalterably opposed to all forms of lawlessness. 
he holds an enviable position in the regard of the community. 



912 GIBSON COUNTY, INDIANA. 



JAMES W. KEY. 



The life history of James \Y. Key. one of the well known and highly 
esteemed venerable citizens of Gibson county, now living in honorable re- 
tirement, shows what industry, good habits and stanch citizenship will ac- 
complish in the battle for success in life. His record has been one replete 
with duty well and conscientiously performed in every relation of life. He 
has come down to us from the pioneer period and has noted the wondrous 
transformation from that time to this, playing his part in the drama of civili- 
zation. He has thus been an advocate of wholesome living and cleanliness in 
politics as well and has always stood for the highest and best interests of the 
community in which so many of his active years have been passed and which 
has been honored by his citizenship. 

James W. Key is a native of Gibson county, born on the ioth day of 
March, 1832, near Hazelton. He is a son of William and Sarah (Bruner) 
Key. both of whom were natives of Kentucky and were among the earlier 
settlers of Gibson county The)' were married in 1S31 and William Key 
• lied August 12, 1836, leaving his young widow and three small children, the 
eldest of whom was James \Y., the subject of this sketch. William Key was 
born in 1804 and his death occurred on August 12, 1836. His widow after- 
ward became the wife of John Ewing, who was of Irish stock and a pioneer 
settler in Gibson county, Indiana, owning a good farm in White River town- 
ship Mr. Ewing died on November 27, 1859, and was survived many years 
his widow, who died on August 5, 1896, when past eighty-eight years of 
age. To Mr. and Mrs. Ewing were born two children, namely : Mary, who 
became the wife of Samuel Argrove, of Pike county, and who died on March 
11, 1885; she was the mother of two children, Minnie and John E. The 
other child, John W. Ewing, who was born Eebruary 14, 1850, in Gibson 
count}, Indiana, died in February, 1909. The marriage of William Key to 
Sarah Bruner occurred in 1831, and at the time of his death he left, besides 
his widow, three small children, the eldest of whom was James W-, the im- 
mediate subject of this sketch. 

The subject's paternal grandfather, William Key, Sr., was a native of 
Kentucky, and to his marriage with Hannah Level were born a large family 
of children. William Key, Sr., was a man of industrious habits and was a 
genius in that he could do many things and do them all well. He was by trade 
a millwright, and after coming to Indiana made his home at Princeton. While 



> 

D 

s 

93 
W 

► 

H 

W 



K 
-1 




GIBSON COUNTY, INDIANA. 913 

building a mill on South Hart street, that city, Ik- fell forty feet, sustaining 
injuries, from which, however, he recovered and lived to be past eighty-five 
years of age. In later life he took up shoemaking and coopering. I [e was a 
man of cheerful and jovial disposition and was widely known and well liked 
by all who knew him. 

James W. Key is the only one of his father's family who is living today, 
and he has attained an advanced age well preserved in mind and body and 
with a keen interest in current events. His schooling in his youth was lim- 
ited, partly owing to the limited circumstances of his mother and parti} 
indifferent opportunities at best. When quite young he took up the vocation 
of farming, which he has followed all his life and is at present living <n\ his 
farm in White River township. Gibson county, in retirement from the active 
affairs of life, surrounded by his family. 

On September 28, 1858, Mr. Key was married to Ellen J. McClure, 
daughter of Joseph E. and Katherine I Devin) McClure, both of whom were 
natives of Gibson county and passed their entire lives within it- borders. To 
their union were born ten children, namely: James and Joseph P., deceased; 
Luella. Ada J., Sarah F., Katherine A. and Charles F., all of whom reside at 
home with the parents, the latter having charge of the operation of the farm 
For his father. William F. is engaged in farming in White River township, 
Gibson county: his wife was Eva Gouff, of Kentucky. Ma is the 

wife of John Stewart, a farmer of Gibson count}, and Robert S., whose wife 
was Geneva Harvey, is engaged in agricultural work in Patoka township. 
On September 28, 1908, Air. and Mrs. Key celebrated the fiftieth anniversary 
of their marriage in a fitting manner and are still .-pared to each other. They 
have many interesting incidents to relate of the earlier life in the county 
before many of our present-day conveniences were though! of. Mr. Key lias 
lived in the same place since he was three years old and well remembers when 
the first railroad was built through this section and when wood was the fuel 
used on the locomotive The house they occupy was built in 1X74. The sub- 
ject and his wife have twelve grandchildren. 

Mr. Key is a stanch Republican of the old school who has always Ween 
interested in the affairs of the party, and his religious membership is with the 
Methodist Episcopal church, in the progress of which society's affairs he 
takes great pleasure. 

Personally, Mr. Key 1- a man of clean character and ha- ever everted a 
healthful influence in the community, giving hi- support to every movement 
(58) 



914 GIBSON COUNTY, INDIANA. 

which promised to advance the welfare of the community in any way. Be- 
cause of It's genuine worth and the success which has crowned his life's 
efforts, he enjoys the sincere respect of all who know him and he is eminently 
entitled to representation in a work of the character of the one in hand. 



DR. JOHN A I. WILLIAMS. 

There is no class to whom greater gratitude is due from the world at 
large than the self-sacrificing, sympathetic, noble-minded men whose life 
work is the alleviation of suffering and the ministering of comfort to the 
afflicted, t<> the end that the span of human existence may be lengthened and 
a greal degree of satisfaction enjoyed during the remainder of their earthly 
sojourn. There is no standard by which their beneficial influence can be 
measured: their helpfulness is limited only by the extent of their knowledge 
and skill, while their power goes hand in hand with the wonderful laws of 
nature that spring from the very source of life itself. Some one has aptly 
said, "lie serves God best who serves humanity most." Among the physi- 
cians and surgeons of Gibson county who have risen to eminence in their 
chosen field of endeavor is the subject of this review, whose career has been 
that of a broad-minded, conscientious worker in the sphere to which his life 
and energies have been devoted and whose profound knowledge of his pro- 
sion has won for him a leading place among the most distinguished medi- 
cal men of his day and generation in the city of his residence. 

Dr. John M. Williams, the s> >n of Simon and Lavina (Sharer) Will- 
iams, was born January 25. 1S57. in Yanderburg county, near the city oi 
Evansville, Indiana. His father was a native of Pose)- county. Indiana, and 
was a son of Bennett Williams, while his mother's birth occurred in Gibson 
county. Mr. and Mrs. Simon Williams began their married life in Yan- 
derburg county, but removed to Gibson county. Fort Branch, in 1870. where 
Mr. Williams lived a retired life until bis death, three years later. His wile 
survived him several vears. living with her son in Owensville, where her 
death occurred in 1896. 

Doctor Williams lived with his parents in Yanderburg county on the 
home farm until 1X70. at which time he removed with his parents to Fort 
Branch. He attended the common schoi >ls of that village, graduating from 
the high school in due course of time, after which he took a course at In- 




DR. J. M. WILLIAMS 



i I BSl IN COUN n . INDIANA. 915 

diana University at Bloomington. He had always been a close student, and 
after graduating from the high school, secured a license to teach and taught 
one year before lie entered the Stale University. For the next three years 
he taught during the winters and attended the university during the spring 
and summer seasons, completing his education in 187N. 

While still in school at the university, Mr. Williams began the study of 
medicine at Fort Branch by reading in the office of one of the old practi- 
tioners there, lie thought that in the practii < dicine there were greater 
advantages for doing good in his community than In- following the pro- 
fession of t cat limy. By the fall of [879 he had saved enough mo to 
warrant him going to Cincinnati and starting in to take the regular medical 
course in the E. M. Institute of that city. He was a student at this institution 

the next two wars, graduating in [881. Immediately after graduation 
he opened an office in Fort Branch, in Gibson county, hut in the fall of that 
i he moved to ( Iwensville, where he has practiced continuously since. In 
Owensville and vicinity his name is a household word, for not mly has he 
treated the children of the community in their infancy, hut he has seen them 
grow up. marry and then has ministered unto their children. With rare 
skill and resource, with quick perception and almost intuitive ju he 

has made a name for himself in this community. I lis ability to make a 
correct diagnosis and then presenile the proper treatment to he used lias 
lUght him a practice second to none in the county. During all the years 
he has been a close student of medical science, keeping in touch with the 
latesl advances along that line and thereby has won the complete confidence 
of tin- whole community. His wide practice has been remunerative and In.' 

shown the same ability in his business affairs which has brought him 
success in the medical profession. lie assisted in the organization of the 
First National Hank of Owensville in [900, and In- been a director in that 
institutii tinuously since. In addition to his banking interests he has 

made large investments in land, owning at the present lime several hundred 
acres of the best land in Gibson county. This success in his business affairs 
has been owing to his steady persistence, sterling integrity and excellent 
judgment, and yet he has not allowed his material success to blind him to the 
interests of the community at large, lie has always been a contribute] 
everything having for its objeel the moral, social or educational advance- 
ment of his a immunity. 

Doctor Williams was married November 1. [883, to Margaret Mont- 
gomery, a native of Owensville, the daughter of James ami Louisa t Lucas) 



gi6 GIBSON COUNTY, INDIANA. 

Montgomery. Her father was a very successful grain merchant of that city 
and one of its leading citizens, and his death occurred in that place in 1891. 
Doctor Williams and his wife are the parents of one child, Gertrude, who is 
at home with her parents. 

Doctor Williams and his family are members of the General Baptist 
church, to which institution they contribute liberally of their means, and in 
which they have always taken an active interest, and have been the means of 
doing an incalculable amount of good in their church work. As a member of 
the Owensville Medical Society and the Count}' Medical Society, Doctor 
Williams has been no inconsiderable factor in advancing the medical interests 
of the town and county. With his professional skill he combines rare sym- 
pathy and thereby adds to his efficiency as a practitioner. He is devoted to 
his chosen vocation and has lent honor and dignity to the medical profession, 
having due regard for the highest standard of professional ethics and ex- 
hibiting marked skill in the treatment of diseases. Such men are blessings 
to every community in which they live. 



J WIES H. COCKRUM. 



In examining the life records of the citizens of Gibson county it is grati- 
fying to note that so many of her people have been born and reared here; in 
fact, have spent their entire lives in this vicinity. It proves the stability oi 
the people and also indicates that this is an excellent place to live and that a 
livelihood may be here obtained with the least expenditure of labor possible, 
so that we have a quiet, satisfied, law-abiding and worthy citizenship and a 
fair and prosperous country, equal to any in the sisterhood of counties in the 
great Hoosier commonwealth. The Cockrums are among the honored 
pioneer citizens here and they have done their full share of the work of 
furthering the development of the county. 

James H. Cockrum, a well known citizen of Gibson county and a former 
postmaster at Oakland City, was born in the city now honored by his resi- 
dence, on April 23, 1868, a son of James M. and Sarah Frances (Thomas) 
Cockrum, the father a native of Gibson county, and the mother of the state 
of Kentucky. James M. Cockrum was a farmer, merchant, attorney and in 
early life a successful shipper. In all the avenues of life's activities in which 



GIBSON COUNTY, INDIANA. 917 

he engaged he was successful and because of lus persevering industry, sound 
judgment and integrity of character, he not onl) enjoyed success in life's 
affairs, but what was of more value, the confidence and esteem of the people 
with whom he mingled. His death occurred 111 1903. lie had served as 
postmaster at Oakland City under the administration of President Harrison, 
and in 1907 represented Gibson county in the stale Legislature, lie was a 
prominent supporter of the Republican party- in this locality and exerted 
considerable influence in local public affairs. Religiously, he was a trustee 
of the General Baptist church at Oakland City for many years, while frater- 
nally, he was identified with the Free and Accepted Masons and the Inde- 
pendent Order of ( >dd Fellows, lie was a veteran of the Civil war, having 
served as a private in the Forty-second Regimenl Indiana Volunteer Infantry 
and rendered valiant service for his country. His widow now lives at Oak- 
land City. They were the parents of right children, namely: Sallie F., de- 
ceased, December to, 1913 ; I : Charles V., of Kansas City. Missouri; 
Edna, the assistant postmistress at Oakland City; Thomas R., of Princeton, 
and Ralph N., of Kansas City. 

James 11. Cockrum was educated in the pub if Oakland City, 

and his first efforts in life on his own account were as a farmer and st< 
raiser, operating a farm adjoining the city on the north. He has been suc- 
iful in chis vocation and still lives on the farm which he formerly operated. 
On February 22, 1910, Mr. Cockrum was appointed postmaster of Oakland 
City, and discharged the duties of that office in a manner which won for him 
the commendation of his superiors in the department and the favor of 
patrons of the office. He retired from the postoffi.ee on April 1. 1914. 
Politically, he is a stanch supporter of the Republican party, and has for 
many years been prominent and active in political work. Religiously, h< 
a member of the General Baptisl church, while fraternally, he is a men 
of the Independent Order of < >dd Fellows, in both subordinate lodge and 
encampment, and the Modern \Y 'men of \merica. 

On February 28, [906, Mr. Cockrum married Ada Burba, the daughter 
of R. C. Burba, of Oakland City, and to this union have been born three 
daughters: Esther Grace, bun;. I ranees and Jessie Leee. Mr. Cockrum 
has always been interested in the welfare and progress of his native county 

and in the development of it- re .< - h - assi tance and influence 

to all laudable means and measures toward these ends. He possesses a force- 
ful personality and is well liked by all who know him. 



9l8 GIBSON COUNTY, INDIANA. 

WIL'LIAM DANIEL KENDLE. 

A review of the life of the honored subject of this memior must of 
necessity be brief and general in its character. To enter fully into the 
interesting details of the career of the late William Daniel Kendle, touch- 
ing the struggles of his early manhood and the successes of his later vears, 
would far transcend the limits of this article. lie tilled a large place in 
the ranks ol the active, energetic and public-spirited citizens of his day 
and generation and the memories which attach to his name and character 
form no inconsiderable chapter in the history of his native county, where 
he passed his life, doing good to all whenever possible. 

William Daniel Kendle was a native of Gibson countv, born in Pa- 
toka township, on November 21. [838, and he departed this life in Prince- 
ton. Indiana. November 29, [898. He was a son of George Kendle, born 
April 7. [812, in Washington county, Tennessee, whose first wife was 
Lucinda Denbo, born October 10. 1813. His second wife was Pauline Era- 
bree. horn April 1, 1821. She was the widow of John Embree and a 
daughter of George Barker. He was a farmer who come to Gibson county 
and settled in Patoka township, west of Princeton. Here be obtained a 
tract of land which he farmed during the rest of his life. 

George Kendle had come with his parents from Tennessee to Har- 
rison county, Indiana, in 18 14, and he remained with them until February 
ol [837, when he started out for Gibson count)'. Upon his arrival here, 
he selected land about five miles west of Princeton, in Patoka township. 
Here he lived for many years and in 1872 retired from active work on his 
farm and moved to Princeton, where he passed the remainder of his life. 
His long years of residence in a community rapidly changing from the 
frontier to a thickly settled territory with" all modern advantages, were 
for him years of activity and doubtless of enjoyment. He was ever found 
anxious to do anything that would advance the welfare of the community. 
George Kendle and wife were the parents of five children, namely: William 
Daniel, the subject of this sketch; John P.. horn September 14, [840; 
Mary E., born October 18, 1842; Elizabeth, horn August 28. 1844; Susan 
D., born April 15. 1846, and Sarah J., born July jj. [848. 

William Daniel Kendle received only a limited schooling in his youth, 
owing to the limited circumstances of his parents and the meager oppor- 
tunities offered at best, and he remained at his father's home until his mar- 
riage. He chose as his bride Mary Spore, born in Princeton, and a daugh- 



GIB N IV. INDIANA. 919 

ter of David and Luanda (Mauck) Spore. The mother was a native of 
Gibson county, Indiana, and the Eather cajne from Knoxville, Tennessee. 
When a young man he came on a prospecting trip to Gibson county, and 
was later joined by his father and mother and the other members oi 
family. They obtained a tract of wild land which they clean : on 

which they passed the remainder of their lives lie died in his sixty-fifth 
r and she was in her sixty-fourth. They were the parent- of seven 
children, namely: Jacob, Henry, Robert, David, Elbert, Sallie and Betsy. 
The Spares were devout members of the Methodist Episcopal church. 

David Spore and wife had nine children, of which Julius, who was a 
fanner living near < Iwensville, and whose wife was Mary McCrary, was the 
oldest: both arc now dead: William, living m Princeton; Thomas, living near 
Oakland City, Indiana; Andrew, a retired fanner living in Owensville, In- 
diana; Isaac, deceased, was a tanner, near Owensville; Maggie mar 1 
Baker Lucas, both deceased; \manda married [saac Woods both deceased; 
John, deceased, lived in Patoka township Mrs. Kendle, widow of William 
Daniel Kendle, was the third oldest child of this family in the order of 
birth. 

After their marriage, Mr. and Mrs. Kendle settled down on his fath 
place, in Patoka township, and engaged in general farming, paying par- 
ticular attention to the raising of first class !j V e stuck. Mere they remained 
until [885, when tin ed to Princeton, where hi lie was a man. 

quiet and unassuming and whose sterling worth won for him many warm 
friends, lie was a kind and loving husband and father, and a man pi 
of unusual business ability, as his activities showed. To Mr. and Mrs. Kendle 
were horn four children, namely: Lucinda, born June 18. [862, first 
married to William McCarty, of Princeton, and later t>> L. Wilhite, id" 
Princeton. She is the mother of two children: Arthur, of Princeton, mar- 
ried Matilda Binkley and i of Patoka township, married Lowell 
Westfall. Emma was horn October 6, [865, married Julius Gamble. She 
died June 1. 1004. Lizzie was horn in iNjn. and married John Massey, 
oi Princeton. She lias one son, Percy. D- horn in [884 and mar- 

1 orge B. Grigsby, of Princeton; the) have one 'lie. 

Mr. Kendle was a man of undoubted inl 
deuce of all who knew him, and be< his excellent qualities he 

quite often called upon to settle estates of deceased frie 
that orphans were properly provided for. and took pleasure in attending 
to duties thus imposed upon him. Lie gave his political support to the 



GIBSON COUNTY, INDIANA. 

Democratic party, but was not given to any active interest in its affairs. 
His religious sympathies were with the White Baptist church, and he took 
great interest in the welfare of this society. Altogether, his was a well- 
balanced, rational life; the quiet, sane life whose influence is all on the 
side of gond and cannot be estimated from any earthly standpoint. Like 
the ever widening circles from a pebble cast into a body of water, so the 
influence of good deeds, too, are ever widening circles, beating at last upon 
the shores of eternity. 



J. W. CUNNINGH Wl. 



Among the honorable and influential citizens of Gibson county, Indiana, 
is the subject of this review, who iias here maintained his home for many 
years, winning a definite success by means of the agricultural industry to 
which he iias devoted his attention during the years of an active business 
life. His career has been without shadow of wrong or suspicion of evil, 
and thus he has ever commanded the confidence and esteem of his fellow 
men. 

Joseph W. Cunningham was born on July _>, 1853. at Giro, White River 
township, Gibson county, the son of John ami Phoebe ( Key ) Cunningham, 
the former a native of White River township, Gibson county, and the latter 
born on North Hart street, Princeton. John Cunningham was a son of one 
of Princeton's township's early settlers, who came from Georgia about 1803, 
settling east of Hazelton, in the midst of heavy timber, which he cleared 
from the tract of land which he had secured and developed a splendid farm. 
His first home was a log cabin, and in this the family lived until able to erect 
a more substantial and attractive home. He was the father of five sons: 
Stewart. Samuel, Joseph. John and Giles, all of whom became farmers in 
White River township, except Joseph, who finally located at King's Station, 
this county. They also had two daughters, Cynthia, the wife of Joseph 
Hayes, and another one who became the wife of Joseph Decker. John Cun- 
ningham received only a common school education, and as a young man 
engaged in the mercantile business at Buena Vista, Indiana, and also became 
connected with the pork packing industry. He shipped large quantities of 
pork, produce, corn, walnut lumber, etc.. to New Orleans on flat boats, and 
acquired a considerable quantity of valuable farm land. He died in i860 
while making a trip south with produce. His widow afterwards married 



GIBSON COUNTY. INDIANA. Q2I 

David Robb in 1864, and they located seven miles north of Princeton, on the 
old Robb farm, where they both died [o John ( unningham and his wife 
were born the following children: Favilla, deceased, the wife of Jasper X. 
ridson, of Princeton; William Green, deceased, who married Mary Hitch, 
now living in Patoka; Joseph \\\, the inn: subject of this sketch; 

Arminta, deceased; John, who died at the age of twenty-one years. To Air. 
and Airs. Robb were horn two children, Anna, the wife of Charles Parrett, ol 
White River township, Gibson county, and Nora, the wife of Oscar Spare, 
who lives south of 1 'rinceton. 

Joseph W. Cunningham received the advantages of a common school 
education at Patoka and Deckard, Indiana, lie lived at home" with his step- 
father and mother until he was twenty-three year , when he located 
the Barnes place in White River township, to the operation of which he de- 
voted himself continuously, and with splendid success, until August 6, [9 
when he retired from the farm and moved to Princeton, establishing himself 
in a home at No. 219 South Main street, lie is the owner of four hund 
acres of land in White River township, which has been maintained at 
lushest standard of agricultural excellence, being numbered among the ; 
farming tracts of the county. In addition to agriculture. Mr. Cunningham 
was engaged for many years in the buying of grain and stock and also as- 
sisted in the organization of the bank at Patoka. being at this time one of the 
directors of that institution. Starting in life with practically no assistance, 
he has achieved this splendid success entirely by his own efforts, and is en- 
titled to his due share of credit for what he has accomplished. 

When twenty-three years old Mr. Cunningham was united in marriage 
with Nan Tribbett, a native of Gibson county. Indiana, who was born on the 
old Tribbett farm north of Princeton and whose death occurred in [906. < In 
November 11. [908, Mr. Cunningham married Christine Bennett, who was 
born in Jacksonville, Morgan county, Illinois, but resided in Gil unty 

at the time of her marriage. She is the daughter of Isaac and Martha 
(Latham) Bennett, her father a native of Morgan county, Illinois, mid the 
mother of Gibson county, Indiana. I'._\ his first marriage. Mr. ('unningham 
became the father of the following children: Byron, who died April u, 
mo.:. 1 ..1 a school teacher for many years, and later cashier in the Patoka 
National I '.auk at Patoka. Gerald, who was educated in the schools at Patoka 
and the public schools at Louisville, Kentucky, and [ndianapolis, Indiana, 
is now a successful dentist at Princeton. Roy T. graduated from the 
Patoka schools, and later attended a technical school at Boston, Massachu- 



922 GIBSON COUNTY. INDIANA. 

setts, in which 'he took the electrical course, and also took the musical course 
in the conservatory at Warren, Ohio. He went to Washington, D. G, 
where he became the leader of the Fourth Regimental Band, being assigned 
to Fort Monroe, Virginia. There he took up military studies and was one of 
the class of four who graduated, receiving his commission as second lieuten- 
ant in the coast defense department. He has been stationed at Fort Mor- 
gan for the last two years, having charge of the Thirty-ninth Regimental 
Hand. He is an excellent musician, being a splendid performer on almost all 
the band instruments. George, who is unmarried and remains at home, is the 
owner of a farm in White River township, in this county, and is interested 
with his lather. 

In politics, Mr. Cunningham has always been allied with the Demo- 
cratic part}', and has always taken an interest in Democratic affairs in this 
locality. Religiously, Mrs. Cunningham is a member of the First Presbyter- 
ian church at Princeton. Mr. Cunningham is a man of splendid influence in 
his community, having been a very industrious man and having had an honor- 
able career, setting a worthy example to the younger generation of this com- 
munity and giving his own children a splendid training. He is regarded as a 
public-spirited man. and can always be counted on to support the right 
uf any movement involving the moral, educational or social welfare of his 
fellow citizens. 



SAMUEL T. HESTt IN. 



That life is the most useful and desirable that results in the greatest -nod 
to the greatest number, and though all do not reach the heights to which they 
aspire, yet in some measure each can win i - and make life a blessing to 

his fellow men. It is not necessary for one to occupy eminent public posi- 
tions to do so, for in the other walks of life there remains much good to be 
accomplished and many opportunities for the exercise of talents and influence 
that in .some way will touch the lives of those with whom we come in contact, 
making them better and brighter. In the list of Gibson county'- successful 
citizens, Samuel T. Heston has long occupied a prominent place. In his 
ord there is much that is commendable, and his career forcibly illustrates 
what a life of energy can accomplish when plans are wisely laid and action- 
are governed by right principles, noble aims and high ideals. In his public 
career, as well as in his private life, no word of suspicion has ever been 



I BSON COUN I"''. - A. 

breathed against him. His actions are the result of careful and conscientii 
thought, ami when once convinced thai he is right, ii" suggestion of personal 
profil or policj can swerve him from the course In- has decided on. In offer- 
ing the following brief resume of his life it i- believed that it will serve as an 
incentive to the youth whose careers arc yet matters for the future to 
determine 

Samuel I, Hi ti i was born in G i county, Indiana. .\la\ u, i 
the M.n mi' Joseph S. and Margaret \. (Wallace) Heston. The father was 
born in Ellicot City, Maryland, and came wot in [855, I ng the busi- 

ness if milling for -nine tune after his arrival in Indiana and later turning to 
farming and stuck raising, in winch he was ven successful. I'm Joseph S. 
and Vlargarel Heston tvere born six children: Samuel I'., with whom this 
narrative deals; Olive I'... who married John E. Eunice 

F... who married Harry K. Stormonl : and three children who are deceased. 

After acquiring an elementary education in the districl schools, .Mr. 
Heston attended Eastman College at Poughkeepsie, New York, later tat 
a course in die business college at Lexington, Kentucky. A ting 

this commercial course the subject was employed as bookkeeper for the 
Moore Milling < ompam at King's Station, winch occupation he followed 
about two years, and then helped to organize the Farmers Bank, in in 
is -till connected with that institution. Ik- started in the hank' as a 
cashier, then became cashier and eventually president. The institution h 

wn and prospered until it is one of the best banking h 
in tin community. The capital stock is o, and the institution, which 

was a si ' for twenty years, was changed to a national banl 

is called the ! National Bank. 

In addition to his financial interests at Princeton, .Mr. Heston is a 
president of the Bankers > ille, fnd 

nized in 1907, with a capital stock of $250, 

r four yeai r. Hi das city tn and filled 1 

entire satisfaction to the 
Among Mr. lit he is director and treasurer 

of the Mechanics Building and I oan \~- 

directors of the Perpetual Building, Loan and Savings Association. 
was one of the organizers of the Farmers' ' >il 1 and is si ill a stock- 

holder, although not at present holding an office in that corporation. When 
the Evansville & Princeton traction line was pr the 

prime movers and was its first treasurer. 



i)24 GIBSON COUNTY, INDIANA. 

In 1890 Mr. Heston was united in marriage to Sarah F. Grace, daughter 
of Benjamin and Merchans Grace, who lived in Michigan and never moved 
to this state. To this union have been born five children: Gladys G., Joseph 
S., Darwin M., Edwin B. and George W.. all living at home. 

In politics Mr. Heston supports the Democratic party, while his religious 
affiliations are with the First Presbyterian church. The home of Mr. Heston 
at 603 South Main street, is a model of all that a modern, comfortable, 
hospitable home should be. His father died in 1911, the mother having 
passed away five years before, in 1906. 

The Heston family at one time owned fourteen hundred acres of land, 
and Mr. Heston and his sisters are now the possessors of twelve hundred 
acres. 



GEORGE WTTHERSPOON. 

It cannot be other than interesting to note in the series of personal 
Miches appi in this work the varying conditions that have compassed 

those whose careers are outlined, and the effort has been made in each case 
to throw well focused light on the individuality and to bring into proper 
perspective the scheme of each respective career. Each man who strives to 
fulfill his part in connection with human life and human activities is deserv- 
ing of recognition, whatever may he his field of endeavor, and it is the func- 
tion of works of this nature to perpetuate for future generations an authentic 
record concerning those represented in its pages, and the value of such pub- 
lications is certain to lie cumulative for all time to come, showing forth the 
individual and specific accomplishments of which generic historv is ever 
engendered. 

George Witherspoon, the son of W. P. and Sitha A. (McDonald) 
Witherspoon, was born September 17. 1858, in Gibson county. Indiana, his 
father being a native of Tennessee, wdiile his mother was born in North 
Carolina. His father came from Tennessee when he was about eighteen 
years of age and settled in Columbia township, this county, where he taught 
school for a number of years. With the money saved from his teaching, 
together with what he earned in the summers by farm work, he was enabled 
to buy a farm south of Oakland City. Later he disposed of this tract and 
secured a farm near Francisco, but in 1863, he moved to Illinois and lived on 
a farm in Vermillion county in that state, for the remainder of his days. 



GIBSON COUNTY, INDIANA. 925 

Eight children were born to Mr. and Mrs. VV. P. Withers] n, the subjecl 

of this sketch being the second in order of birth. 

George Witherspoon was educated in the district schools of Vermillion 
county, Illinois. As a farmer's boy he was the recipient of all those adv; 
tages which fall to the lol of the boy on the farm, and there learned all the 
intricacies which the successful farmer must have at his command, lie was 

married October 4. 1893 '" xi;in ^ '• daughter oi John and Lov 

I Ireland i Wood, and to their union have been born two children ; Lura, born 
November 6, 1894, who is now attending the high school at Francisco and 
will graduate in spring of mi 1 ; Edna, born June 6, 1899, is also a student in 
the Francisco high school, front which she will graduate in 191 5. John 
Wood, a native of England, came to this country with his parents and the 
rest of the family. They first settled in Vanderbnrg county, Indiana, near 
Warrenton, and later moved to t Ik farm where they lived the rest of their 
lives. John Wood came here after his marriage and bought a farm in 
Center township where he remained all his life. Lovvie Ireland was a native 
of Gibson county. Her parents were early settlers in this county and are 
referred to elsewhere in this volume. 

Mr. Witherspoon is living on his fine farm of one hundred and eighty 
acres and in addition to his general farming, makes a specialty of breeding 
line Percheron horses, lie has registered his farm under the laws of Indi- 
ana as the "Sunnyside Stock Farm." lie keeps well informed on the lal 
and most improved methods of farming and has his farm equipped with all 
the latest improved machinery, and as a result he has been very successful 
in the prosecution of his chosen \< ind is fast accumulating a very 

comfortable competence for his old age. lie is now getting ready to build 
a modern home and expects to have it completed within the coming year. 

Mr. Witherspoon has been a life-long member of the Republican party, 
but has never sought any politii being contenl > his 

time and attention to his agricultural and stock raising interests. He and 
hi- wife are loyal and earnest members of the Methodist Episcopal church 
of Francisco, and are actively interested in all the different organizations 
the church. Evi 1 rvemenl which has for its object the b of the 

social or civic life ol the community finds a ready helper in Mr. Witherspoon, 
and because of tin- clean life he itas led in this community and the worthy 
movements which he has helped, his friends and acquaintances are found 
everywhere throughout the community. 



< _' GIBSON COUNTY, INDIANA. 

( :UNACUM McELLHINEY. 

The United States is the most cosmopolitan nation of the earth. Her 
citizen^ are drawn from every country and clime, and a residence of a few 
years in this country so imbues them with the American spirit that they 
become among our best citizens. No nation has furnished better or more 
substantial citizens to this country than has the little island of Ireland. From 
the Emerald Isle has come many a family which has won an honored place 
in the community in which they chose to settle. Among the man}- families 
of Irish descent who have come to this state, there is none who are more loyal 
to their adopted country than the McEllhiney family of Gibson county. 

Cunacum McEllhiney, the son of John and Mary J. (Curscadin) Mc- 
Ellhiney, was born November 19, 1875, at Princeton, Indiana. His father 
and mother were married in Ireland and came to this country in 1866, land- 
ing at Xew York. Later they moved westward, and settled in 1'rinceton, 
Indiana. John McEllhiney was a millwright in the old country and when he 
came to Gihson county he followed his trade ami also was a watchman at an 
engine house in Princeton for several years. Afterward he engaged in farm- 
ing, continuing in that occupation until his death. To Mr. and Mrs. John 
McEllhiney were horn nine children, some of whom were horn in the old 
country. 

Cunacum McEllhiney received his elementary education in the district 
schools of Gibson county, and early in life started out to make his own way. 
He was first a bricklayer and plasterer and worked at his trade for several 
years. He then bought a small tract of land and went to farming, and l>v 
hard work and wise management he has become a verv successful farmer in 
this count}", and is the owner of one hundred acres of good land with a 
beautiful home on it. 

Mr. McEllhiney was married December 14, 1899, to Ida Legier, tin- 
daughter of Amos and Mary (Wallace) Legier, both natives of Gibson 
county, and to this union there have been born two children. Earl, born Jan- 
uary 2^,, 1902, and Lloyd, born November 27, 10,12. 

Politically, Mr. McEllhiney is an ardent Prohibitionist and does all he 
can to further the interests of his party. He is a member of the Cumberland 
Presbyterian church and contributes of his substance to the support of that 
denomination. He has always been an industrious and hard working citizen 
and has made his way unaided from the bottom of the ladder. Whatever 
success he now enjoys he can attribute to those sterling qualities of head and 



GIBSON COl \ I Y, I Mil \.\.\. 927 

heart which are always the concomitants of success. He has managed his 
business affairs in such a \va_\ that he has won the hearty approbation of all 
the citi/ens of his community, and il ikes a stand on the right side of 

every public question and every movement which seeks to better his com- 
munity's welfare finds in him a sympathetic helper. 

William J. McEllhiney, the brother of the subject of this sketch, was 
born in April, 1S66. in Donegal county, Ireland, and came to this country 
with his parents when he was aboul one year old. lie received his early edu- 
cation in the district schools of this county, lie has always exercised those 
admirable qualities which characterized his brother and the success which he 
has attained is the natural result of persistent effort hacked by these qualities. 

William McEllhiney was married November 7, [889, t>> Elissa M. 
1 .reek, the daughter of Joseph and Berilla (.Wills) Greek, the father a native 
of Lancaster county, Pennsylvania, where his birth occurred < )ctober 7. [822. 
At an early age he accompanied his parents to Indiana, coming down on a 
tlat boat to Evansville on the Ohio river. Joseph Greek's father was a car- 
penter by trade, which occupation he followed until his death in [835 at the 
age of forty years, his widow, Catherine 1 Sellers 1 Greek, surviving him 
many years, her death occurring in [875, at the advanced age of eight) years. 
In his early life Joseph Greek was employed in various ways until he finally 
secured a permanent position in a brick yard, where he remained for several 
years. Air. Greek was married to Berilla Mills on March 4, [848, and this 
marriage was blessed with the following children: Mrs. Ellen Seals, deceased 
April i 1. [873; A. T., deceased < ictober, 1908; Mrs. M. T. Paul; Samuel M.. 
deceased; George W\, deceased; John II., who lives in California; Mrs. Alice 
M. Brown; A. 1... deceased; Mrs. Flattie L. McCormick, who lives in Gibson 
county; Mrs. Rhoda McEllhiney, the wife of Thomas J. McEllhiney, \ 
is represented elsewhere in this work, and Mr-. Elissa McEllhiney, the v\ 
of William M< Ellhiney. 

To Mr. and Mrs. William McEllhiney have been horn eight children: 
es M., horn November 25, [890, who graduated from tin- common 
schools oi Gibson county March 29, [907, from the Francisco high school 
March 31, roii. and will graduate from Valparaiso University in 1914. He 
taught school one winter in Center township: Rhoda A., horn July 29, [892, 
is still at home: Margaret F., horn January 7, [896, died November 5, [897; 
William S.., born November 8, [898; Rosie K., born January 9, [9 
II., horn October 6, [902; Rachel II., born December 28, 1005. and Mary 
B., 1" irn February 5, 1008. 



928 GIBSON COUNTY, INDIANA. 

William J. McEllhiney has by his industry acquired a fine farm of one 
hundred and twenty-six acres of land in this county. This has been ac- 
complished only by steady persistence and untiring effort and the application 
of upright principles in all of his financial transactions. He carries on a sys- 
tem of diversified farming and is recognized as one of the most progressive 
farmers of his township. He and the members of his family are attendants 
of the Cumberland Presbyterian church, and are very actively interested in 
all the organizations of the church. He has always been a stanch Prohibition- 
ist and ever faithful to uphold the teachings of that party. Since his party 
has never been in power he has never held any public office, although he is 
deeply interested in all the great political questions of the day. Mr. Mc- 
Ellhiney is a fine type of the man who makes his way unaided and while he 
has been primarily attending to his own agricultural interests he has not neg- 
lected that larger life, which tends to the upbuilding of the community in 
which he lives. He has always been a man on whom his neighbors could de- 
pend in even respect. He has that respect for law and order which char- 
acterizes a good citizen and is ready at all times to uplift humanity along 
civic and social lines. 

The McEllhiney brothers are respected throughout the length and 
breadth of Gibson county and their friends and acquaintances honor and es- 
teem them for the good work which they haw- done in their respective com- 
munities. 



WILLIAM PRENTICE DEARING. 

The life of the scholarly or professional man seldom exhibits any of those 
striking incidents that seize upon public feeling and attract attention to him- 
self. His character is generally made up of the aggregate qualities and qualifi- 
cations he may possess, as these may be elicited by the exercise of the duties 
of his vocation or the particular profession to which he may belong. But 
when such a man has so impressed his individuality upon his fellow men as 
to gain their confidence, and through that confidence be retained in important 
positions, he becomes a conspicuous figure in the body politic of the com- 
munity. The subject of this review is one of the scholarly men of his county, 
who, not content to hide his talents amid life's sequestered ways, by the force 
of will and a laudable ambition forged to the front in an exacting and responsi- 
ble calling and earned an honorable reputation in one of the most important 




WILT.IAM P. DEARING. 



BSON COUNTY, [NDIANA. 9^9 

branches of public service. A well educated, symmetrically developed man, 
his work as an educator has for man) years been of such a high standard oi 
excellence that his position in the front rank of his profession has long been 

conceded. Keeping abreast of the times in advanced educational methods, 
and possessing a broad and comprehensive knowledge, he is, because oi his 
high attainments, well rounded character and large influence, eminently entitled 
to representation in the annals of his count}-. 

William Prentice Dearing, the president of Oakland City College, with 
which institution he has been connected for many years, is a native son of the 
I lousier state, having been born in Pike county on September 30, 1874, and 
is a son of J. B. T. and Betty A. 1 Selby 1 Dearing. the former a native of Ken- 
tucky and the latter of Pike county, Indiana. These parents are both living 
and reside on a farm five miles south of Petersburg, Pike county. " William 1'. 
Dearing received his elementary education in the public schools of Tike county 
and in the Oakland City high school, where he was graduated in lSyo. He 
then entered Oakland City College, from which he was the first graduate in 
the classical course in 1895. lie was then a student in the University of Chi- 
cago tor a time and at the age of twenty years became dean of the facult] oi 
Oakland City College, lie served eight years in that capacity, ami in [903, 
at the age of twenty-eight years, became the president of the college and has 
been retained continuously in this position until the present time. It 1- a 
notable fact that Professor Dearing was born, educated, married and beg 
his life work within a radius of five miles. While endowed naturally for the 
career to which he has devoted himself, Mr. Dearing supplemented his natural 
equipment with an enthusiasm for his profession and a close and critical study 
advanced educational methods. He keeps in close personal touch with the 
student body, and as instructor or adviser he holds the interest of those under 
him, and many of the students who have come forth from ( )akland City Col 
lege have received From him their greatest inspiration for their life work. I [e 
is widely and favorabl) known as a lecturer before teachers' institutes and 
associations, as well as on the Chautauqua platform, lie is naturall) eloquent, 
his marvelous descriptions and vivid word pictures holding his audiences and 
stamping him as a public speaker of unusual attainment. Among the special 
lectures which President I )earing has deli) ered on different occasions through- 
out the Middle West, are the following: "The Heritage of the \merican 
Youth," "fhe Battle with the Beast," "If I Were You," "The Educated Man 
and His Mission," "Jack and the Bean Stalk." "The Other Fellow," "fhe ( lid 



93° GIBSON COUNTY, INDIANA. 

and the New," "The Double Rule," "An Hour With Poe," "The Dignity of 
Youth," "A Theology For the Business Alan." "The Teacher"s Creed," "Big 
Business," and "The Drama of Esther." A modern, practical thinker and an 
eloquent and forceful speaker, Doctor Dearing's lectures have given universal 
satisfaction wherever he has spoken. 

On January i, 1890. William P. Dearing was married to May Cockrum, 
the eldest daughter of Col. W. M. and Lucrecia Cockrum of Oakland City. 
To this union have been born two children, Mazo and William Cockrum. 

Fraternally, William P. Dearing is an appreciative member of the Knights 
of Pythias, while religiously, he is a member of the General Baptist church, of 
which he is an ordained minister and in the various activities of which society 
he is greatly interested. Although a quiet and unassuming man, he has con- 
tributed much to the material and civic advancement of this community, add- 
ing to admirable qualities of head and heart, a straightforward and upright 
character in his daily life, that has von for him the esteem and confidence of 
all the circles in which he has moved. His personal relations with his fellow 
man have ever been mutually pleasant and agreeable, and he is highly regarded 
by all, being easily approached, obliging and straightforward in all the relations 
of life. 



FRED C. KUESTER. 



The farming profession has been revolutionized within the last fifty 
us and the farmer of today knows few of the disadvantages which sur- 
rounded the pioneer farmers of this state. Scores of inventions have been 
put on the market which enable the farmer to lead a life of ease as compared 
to the arduous labors which his father had to undergo. The result is that an 
ever increasing number of our best young men are remaining on the farm in 
preference to trying their fortunes in the city. The farmer is certainly the 
most independent man of the country and all other professions must bow to 
him. Indiana is known throughout the length and breadth of this country 
as une of the best agricultural states of the Union, and Gibson county ranks 
with the best farming sections of the state. Gibson county farmers are not 
to be excelled by anv other county in the state and among its many excellent 
farmers no one occupies a more prominent place than the subject of this 

review. 

Fred C. Kuester, the son of John and Katherine (Swartz) Kuester. was 



GIBSON COUNTY. INDIANA. 931 

born October 20, 1859. in Vanderburg county, Indiana, near Evansville. 
Both of his parents were of German extraction. His father came to this 
country in 1 S5 ; , settling neai Evansville, on a farm and there lived fi four- 
teen years, after which he engaged in the grocery business in Evansville, at 
the corner of Sixth and Main streets until his death. 

Fred C. Kuester, the subject of this sketch, received his early education 
in the schools of Evansville, and assisted his father in the grocery store until 
the time of his father's death. lie then went on a farm and supported Ins 
mother and the resl of the famil) for several years by his work. At the 
age of twenty-one he was married to Barbara Apple, of ounty, Indi- 

ana, and to this union were born three children: William, who lives with his 
father on the farm; Mrs. [Catherine Rosemeyer, of (enter township; one 
child died in infancy. After the death of his first wife, he was again married 
on April 15, 1891, to Matilda Garbers, the daughter of John and Lena 
(Labra) Garbers. Mrs. Kuester's father was a native of Germany, while 
her mother was born in [ndiana. To Mr. Kuester's second marriage were 
born six children, five of whom are living: Myrtle. Laura, John. Hulda, Ed- 
ward and one child who died in infancy. 

Fred C. Kuester lived on a rented farm for five years after his first 
marriage and then came to Gibson county, September 21, [888, and bou 
fort)- acres of land from John Auburn, and by unflagging industry and strict 
attention to his agricultural interests, In- gradually increased his land 'Hold- 
ings until he is now the owner of one hundred and sixty acres of as line land 
as can be .found in the township. It is interesting t< note that the first house 
on his farm in Gibson county was a log structure, which he built himself. 
However, with his good wife and his children, be started to build up his 
farm and not many years rolled around before lie was able to put up a 
substantial home and other good farm buildings. I lis farm is now under 
a high state 01' cultivation and is well equipped with all modern improvements 
and shows what can be accomplished when a goal is set and the proper energy 
applied. 

Although Mr. Kuester has been a life-Ion- Democrat, he has never asked 
for office at the hands of his party. He has been content to devote all of his 
time and ability to his agricultural interests. However, he has kept pace 
with the various movements of his party and takes an active interest in its 
deliberations. Religiously, be is affiliated with the German Snake Run 
church and helps in the various activities of that denomination. He is , ( 
member of the lodge of Eagles at Princeton. 



93 2 GIBSON COUNTY, INDIANA. 

Mr. Kuester is a good type of the American citizen who starts out with 
practically nothing and by the sweat of his brow has acquired for himself a 
comfortable home and laid by a sufficiency of this world's goods to insure 
his comfort in his old age. Too much credit cannot be given to the man 
who is thrown upon his own resources at an early age and by his own efforts 
is enabled to rear a family and supply them with all the comforts of mod- 
ern civilization. This is what Air. Kuester has done and it is to his credit 
that in so doing he has not neglected the moral and civic welfare of his com- 
munity. Mr. Kuester is a genial and unassuming gentleman who has so 
conducted hi- affairs in the township as to win the confidence and esteem of 
his fellow citizens. His success has not been attained by any sudden stroke 
of fortune, but rather by unceasing industry and attention to his chosen 
vocation. Such men are a credit to any community, and were there more 
such men this country would lie far better off. It is a pleasure to set forth 
in this brief sketch the life and character of such a man. He can pass on to 
his children and to his children's children the record of a life well spent. 



THOMAS J. McELLHINEY. 

There are no more highly esteemed citizens of Gibson county than the 
McEllhiney brothers. Horn of sturdy Irish parents, they have inherited 
through generations of hardy ancestors all of those excellent qualities which 
belong to the people of Ireland. With few opportunities except what their 
own efforts were capable of mastering and with many difficulties to overcome, 
they have made an exceptional success in life, ami the communities in which 
the)- live are proud to number them among their residents. All of them are 
progressive and enterprising and persevering and these qualities are sure to 
bring success if faithfully directed. They are men of strong and noble char- 
acter and have worked with zeal during their residence in this community 
for the moral, religious and social welfare of the locality. 

Thomas J. McEllhiney, the second of the three brothers living in this 
county, was born March 15. 1862, in Ireland. His parents were John and 
Mary ( Curscadin ) McEllhiney, both of whom were natives of Ireland. The 
family history of the McEllhineys is specifically set forth in sketch of Cuna- 
cum McEllhiney elsewhere in this volume. 

Thomas J. McEllhiney came with his parents to America when he was 
four vears of age and settled with them in Gibson countv, Indiana. Here he 



GIBSON COUNTY, INDIANA. 933 

received his elementan education, but owing to the fact that it was necessary 
for him to start out early in life to earn a livelihood, his education was 
limited, although he has not let that hinder him in any way, but has kept 
himself well informed upon all the current topics of the day by reading the 
newspapers and magazines. 

Thomas J. McEllhiney was married on July 22, 1886, to Rhoda Greek, 
the daughter of Joseph and Berilla ( Mills) Greek. lie was born in Pennsyl- 
vania and his wife in Center township in this county. Joseph Greek was born 
in Lancaster county, Pennsylvania, in 1822. His parents moved to Indiana 
early in his life, and he worked at various occupations and upon reaching the 
age of twenty-six he was married to Berilla Milk on March 14, 1848. They 
reared a large family of children to honored and respected manhood and 
womanhood and this family history is specifically referred to elsewhere in 
this volume in the sketch of Cunacum McEllhiney. 

To Mr. and Mrs. Thomas J. McEllhiney have been born two children, 
Ruth and Robert R. Ruth, born November 13, 18X7, is the wife of David 
Dunning, a fanner of Uns counts. Mr. and Mrs. Dunning have three chil- 
dren: Elsie, Royal and I.ela M. Robert R., born August 14. [889, is still 
at home with his parents. Mr. McEllhiney purchased the farm on which he 
now lives, a tract comprising seventy-one acres, going into debt for the whole 
amount of the purchase price. Within live years, however, he had by hard 
work and stricl application to business, succeeded in paying oft" the total 
indebtedness incurred by this purchase. Since then he has bought sixty-one 
acres more land and has paid for all of this from the products of the farm. 
In addition to his agricultural interests, lie is financially interested in the 
Francisco Telephone Exchange, of which he is the president and manager. 
In this he has shown excellent business judgment and administrative ability 
and the service given by this telephone company has increased in value since 
he took charge of the work. 

Politically, Mr. McEllhiney i- a Progressive and sees in that part) a 
chance to bring about certain reforms which will he of benefit to the nation 
in general. In his religious affiliations he is found in the Methodist Episcopal 
church, where he take- an active interesl 111 the various department- of the 
w irk of that denomination. 

Mr. McEllhiney, because of his man) excellent personal qualities and 
splendid influence which his life ha- -bed over the locality in which lie has 
lived, is a man who has won a host of friends throughoul the township. 
Ik- high moral character and persistenl industry have brought him a meed 
of fame which he rightly deserves. 



934 GIBSON COUNTY, INDIANA. 

WALTER T. GALLIGAN. 

The most elaborate history is necessarily an abridgment, the historian 
being compelled to select his facts and material from a multitude of details. 
In every life of honor and usefulness there is no dearth of incident and yet in 
summing up the career of any man the writer needs touch only the salient 
points which give the keynote of the character, but eliminating much that 
is superfluous. Thus in giving the life record of Walter T. Galligan. suffi- 
cient will be said to show that he is one of the enterprising, influential and 
progressive citizens of Gibson county, Indiana. 

Walter T. Galligan. junior member of the firm of Kell & Galligan, mer- 
chants at Oakland City, is a native son of the old Hoosier state, having been 
born in Terre Haute, Vigo county, on July 13, 1869. His parents were 
Michael and Mary (Troutman) Galligan, the father a native of Ohio, and 
the mother of Kentucky. Michael Galligan, who was a railroad engineer by 
vocation, came to Oakland City in the employ of the Southern railroad, with 
which company he was connected for many years, proving one of the mosl 
faithful and trusted employes. He is now retired from active work and 
lives in Louisville, Kentucky. After the death of his first wife, he married 
Mollie Wilson. The subject of this sketch was the only child by his first 
union. • 

Walter T. Galligan received his education in the public schools of Oak- 
land City and Louisville, Kentucky, and in 1888 he became a salesman in 
the store of John D. Kell & Company at Oakland City, the company being 
Mrs. Nannie Duncan, of Princeton. In [890 .Mr. Galligan purchased Mrs. 
Duncan's interest in the business, since which time the firm name has been 
Kell & Galligan, the store being known as the "Why" store. A large and 
complete stock of clothing, shoes and general furnishings for men are carried 
in this store. Three years ago they established another department under 
the name of the "When" store, containing a complete stock of dry goods. 
The "When" is a stock company, of which Mr. Galligan is the president. Mr. 
Kell, vice-president, and C. J. Powers, secretary and treasurer. The business 
has been very successful, and is now numbered among the leading com- 
mercial houses of this locality. Mr. Galligan has been very successful in 
everything to which he has applied himself, and is vice-president of the 
Creek & Heldt Hardware Company, a corporation at Oakland City, and a 
director in the Columbia State Bank, one of the successful and influential 
financial concerns of Gibson county. A man of earnest purpose and upright 



GIBSON COUNTY, INDIANA. 935 

life, he has so ordered his actions as to win and retain the confidence and 
esteem of the entire community, and he 1- right fully numbered among the 
representative men of Gibson county. 

Mr. Galligan was married to Essie M. Bucklin, of Princeton, the daugh- 
ter of T. M. and Ann Bucklin, and to them have been horn two daughter-. 
Helen and Margaret. 

Religiously, Mr. Galligan is a member of the Presbyterian church, while 
fraternally, he is a member of the Masonic order, in which he has taken the 
degrees of the York Rite, holding membership in the commandery of Knights 
Templar at Princeton, and in Hadi Temple. Nobles of the Mystic Shrine. 
at Evansville. He is a self-made man and has made his way in life unaided 
Personally, he is a man of pleasing address, obliging, genial, a good mixer, 
makes and retains friends without effort, and he is in every way worthy of 
the high esteem in which he is universally held. 



M< >SES McELLHINEY. 



No more substantial and moral citizens have ever come to this country 
from foreign lands than the son.-, of Ireland and wherever they have settled 
they have become honored and respected citizens. As a race they are char- 
acterized by industry and a patience which overcomes all obstacles and thus 
insures them success in whatever undertaking they choose to follow. Gib- 
son county has been honored by having several of the- sons of the Emerald 
Isle as citizens, but no family of Irish de-cent has ever occupied a more 
prominent place in the material development of the county than has the Mc- 
Ellhiney family. 

Moses McEllhiney. the youngest child d John and Mary J. 1 Curscadin 1 
McEllhiney, was born in Ireland February 15, [861. His parents orn, 

reared, married and -pent several years of their married life in their native 
land. Moses was given his elementary schooling in the sod schoolhouses of 
Ireland, and his subsequent education has keen I in the wide school 

of observation and experience, and his success of today 1- convincing pn 
that he has been an apt student. When Moses was a young hoy he came with 
his parents to the United States and settled in Princeton. Indiana. John 
McEllhiney was a millwright in Ireland and when he came to ' ri 1 m ounty 
he took up the same trade. For some years he was also a watchman at the 



936 GIBSON COUNTY, INDIANA. 

engine house in Princeton, and a more efficient and faithful employee the 
railroad company never had. Some years lie fore his death he engaged in 
farming and was engaged in this occupation at the time of his death. To 
Mr. and Mrs. John McEllhiney were horn nine children, among whom were 
Moses, Cunacum and William J., three brothers who are now living in Gibson 
county, Indiana. 

Moses McEllhiney is a fine example of the truly sell-made man. for he 
has won his way through his own unaided efforts. He received a very 
meager education in Ireland and as soon as he came to this country he started 
out to help make a living for the family, and since that time has been a man 
who has literally earned his bread by the sweat of.his brow. His first work 
in this country was in a saw mill with his brother, where he worked about 
two weeks, and received one hundred pounds of flour for his labor. His 
father then bought for him a horse and wagon and he started into the dray 
business in Princeton, his first job being the delivering of a sack of flour to 
John Oswald, for which he received five cents. His second and his next call 
was for J. J- Hartman, for whom he hauled some hardware from the depot 
for fifteen cents, the total for his first day's work being twenty cents. With 
this inauspicious beginning he laid the foundation for his future success, and 
at the end of two years he sold his draying outfit and went on a farm where 
he worked for his father for about fifteen years. Pie then went to Colorado, 
where he became the foreman of a cattle ranch and remained in that state for 
five years, at the expiration of which time he returned to Gibson count)', 
where he and his brother purchased eight} - acres of land. After his mar- 
riage in 1898, he rented the farm of Harvey Greer and lived on this place for 
eleven years, when he purchased his father-in-law's farm of twenty-six and 
one-half acres. He proceeded to build a new home on this farm, which is 
one of the handsomest country homes in the county. He also has good out- 
buildings of all kinds, and is now in a fair way to become a landowner of 
some prominence. Shortly after building his new house, lie bought sixty 
acres of land from Alexander Mooney, and to his rapidly growing farm he 
later added twenty-three acres of land which he bought from his brother, 
Robert, and twenty acres of his brother Cunacum's farm, making him a 
total at the present time of one hundred and thirty-five acres of good farm- 
ing land. As a clay laborer he never made more than twenty-seven dollars a 
month, and he can now look back with some satisfaction on a career which 
has been marked by good, honest hard toil. 

Moses McEllhiney was married to Carrie Rinehart. September 7: 1898, 



GIBSON COUNTY, INDIANA. 937 

the daughter of Frank and Lena Waltz, he a native of Gibson county, while 
his wife was born in Germany. Mr. and Mrs. Rinehart were the parents of 
six children: Carrie; John, deceased; Mrs. Sophronia Weidenbender. who 
lives in Princeton, Indiana; Mary, at home; Louis, of Bloomington, Illinois; 
and Daniel, who lives in Princeton. To Mr. and Mrs. McKllhinev have been 
born six children: John, horn November 9, [899; Henry, horn June 10. 
1902; Venito, born November 2, [904; Daniel, born May 4. 1007; Mary. 
born August 24. 1900, and Mabel, born October 28, 1911, who lived only 
two weeks. 

Mr. McEllhiney has been a strong Democrat in his political views, but 
has never taken an active part in politics. Much of his time has been spent 
outside of the state, and while he was working in Indiana, he had neither the 
time nor the means to indulge in the game of politics. He and the members 
of his family are devout adherents of the Catholic church and contribute 
liberally of their substance to this denomination. Mr. McEllhiney's career 
abounds in honest work, persistent effort and a perseverance which has never 
forsaken him during" all the years of his endeavor. His life and labors are 
worthy of emulation and show what can he accomplished by a man who starts 
out with the intention of making an honest living. He is rearing his family 
to lives of usefulness and intends to give them that education which will fit 
them for the affairs of life, lie is highly respected and honored by all who 
know him. 



FELIX N. WESTFALL. 

All honor i> due the gallant veterans who arc -tili living today. They 
are fast answering the last roll call, and within a few years they will all have 
passed away, leaving nothing hut the memory of an heroic life spent for the 
love of their country. When the news of the fall of Fort Sumter was Hashed 
across the country the hearts of the North were fired by patriotism which 
augured well for the nation. No Northern state had a more patriotic governor 
than Indiana, ami had every governor done as much to help President Lin- 
coln as did Governor Morton the war would not have lasted as long as it 
did. No other state furnished as many men in proportion to its population as 
did Indiana; 110 other troops were sent into the field as well equipped and as 
well drilled as were the Indiana soldiers. More than two hundred thousand 
men enlisted from the state of Indiana alone, and in every engagement in 
which they participated they were never found lacking in that fine enthusi- 



93§ GIBSON COUNTY, INDIANA. 

asm which is conducive to victory. Whether upon the hattle field or in the 
camp, whether in the prison pen of the South, they were always found faith- 
ful and loyal to the country which was supporting them. Amid the sound of 
shrieking shell they never faltered, but obeyed every command of their 
superior officers. Often wounded, they left the hospital and fought on until 
the end. Thousands who were made prisoners rejoined their companies and 
were often captured again, but it is to their credit that they never wavered; 
they never showed the white feather. No county in the state furnished braver 
or better men than did Gibson count}-, and of the thousands of men who 
went from this county, the seventeen-year-old youth whose name heads this 
sketch was fired by as pure a patriotism as was shown by an}' of the recruits 
who went to the front. 

Felix N. Westfall, a Civil war veteran and prominent citizen of this 
count}', was born September 18, 1844, in Owensville, this county. His par- 
ents were Cabin and Juliana ( Cormick) Westfall, the father born in Harri- 
son county, Indiana, and the mother a native of Gibson county. Calvin West- 
fall came to Gibson count} - when he was about eight years of age with his 
parents and lived on his father's farm until he was about twenty-two years 
of age. He received his elementary education in Harrison and Gibson county 
schools and as a youth enjoyed all those advantages which fall to the lot of 
the ordinary country lad. After his marriage he bought a farm in this county, 
which he operated and improved, and where he lived for the remainder of his 
life. To him and his wife were born nine children, of whom Felix N. was 
the fifth in order of birth. 

Felix X. Westfall was reared on the paternal farmstead and received his 
education in the district schools of Gibson county. On August 10, 1862, when 
he still lacked one month of being eighteen years of age, he enlisted in Com- 
pany F, Eightieth Regiment Indiana Volunteer Infantry, and served 
throughout the remainder of the great conflict, being discharged on June 22, 
1865. at Salisbury, North Carolina. He left Princeton with bis company on 
the 8th dav of September. tNY~>2. and on October 8th of the same wear he 
engaged in his first battle in Kentucky. Here he was severely wounded, but 
quickly recovering, he again joined his company. The corps to which his 
company was attached followed, the Confederates to Danville, Kentucky, 
where they (the Confederates) were going to encamp for the winter. On this 
forced march he was disabled and sent to the hospital, where he remained 
from the 27th of November, 1862, until March 20, 1863, when he was again 
able to rejoin his regiment. Within a short time he was again disabled and 



GIBSON COUNTY, INDIANA. 939 

was this time sent to Louisville, Kentucky, to recuperate. As soon as he was 
discharged from the hospital, he rejoined his regiment at Lebanon, Kentucky, 
and was then in active service until the day on which he was mustered out. 
We cannot give too much credit to those gallant boys in blue who followed 
wherever their commander led them, who never questioned an order, but 
fought through the bloodiest of conflicts without ever flinching. 

Immediately after living- mustered out of the service Mr. Westfall re- 
turned to Center township, Gibson county, and started to work on the farm. 
On December 13. 1807, he was united in marriage to Rosalie Dougherty, the 
daughter of Frank and Jane (Montgomery) Dougherty, and to this union 
there were born eight children: William, deceased, December 26. 191 _'; 
Melissa Edith, who died in infancy; Hiram T., who lives in Oregon; Marion 
O., who lives in Nebraska; .Mamie A., who died in infancy; Airs. .Mary J. 
Combs, of Princeton. Indiana; Mrs. Julia A. Hyslop, whose husband is a 
farmer in Center township, and < (rville, who died in infancy. 

At the time of his marriage Mr. Westfall bought a farm of eighty acres 
in Center township, this count), and continued to operate this tract until a 
few years ago when he moved to the town of Francisco. As a farmer he was 
very successful in raising all the crops common to this section, lie gradually 
improved his farm and kept it well stocked with the latest farming machinery, 
thereby materially increasing the value of bis farm. He has been a life-long 
Republican in politics, but has been satisfied to devote all of his time and 
attention to his agricultural interests and for this reason has not taken a 
very active part in politics. However, he keeps himself well informed on 
all the public questions of the day and can discuss them intelligently, lie and 
his family are faithful and earnest members of the General Baptist church. 
and have always taken a prominent part in the activities of this denomina- 
tion. Mr. Westfall is a prominent member of the Grand Army of the Re 
public post at Princeton, and takes a great deal of pleasure in being presenl 
at the meeting- of Archer Post. 

Mr. Westfall can look back over a life well -pent. As a soldier he per- 
formed his every duty with faithfulness and courage, and as a private citi- 
zen he has never fallen short of the dignity of true manhood. In all his 
business transaction- he has so conducted bis life that he has won the un- 
qualified approbation of all of his fellow citizens, so'that when lie ansv 
the final roll call there will be no one but what can say "Mis life w^as gentle 
and the elements so mixed in him that the whole world mighl stand up and 
say. In- was a man." 



94-0 GIBSON COUNTY, INDIANA. 

JOHN X. McKEDY. 

There is no occupation which gives a man the independence of life, 
which brings him closer to nature than does farming. In pioneer times farm- 
ing was very much of a drudgery, but with all the modern improvements, the 
farmer is relieved of much of the hard work which was the portion of his 
forefathers. Then, too, farming has risen in dignity, until now it is often 
referred to as a profession rather than as an occupation. Fifty years ago 
the science of agriculture was in its mere infancy, and to think that a man 
had to take a course in college in order to be a successful farmer would have 
been laughed at. but today our colleges are teaching agriculture as a science 
and are turning out thousands of young men who are well trained in the 
scientific methods of farming. Another advantage which the present day 
farmer commands which was totally unknown to his pioneer forefathers, is 
the matter of transportation. Good roads are threading every portion of our 
state today and the interurban and automobile keep the farmer in close touch 
not only with his neighbors, but with the life in the city as well. Gibson is 
one of the oldest counties in the state and consequently has many fine farms 
and good farmers within its borders. Among the enterprising and pro- 
gressive farmers of the county, there is no one who stands in higher esteem 
than does the gentleman whose name appears at the head of this sketch. 

John X. McKedy was born April n, 1850, in Owensville. Indiana, the 
son of Thomas H. and Maria (Teal) McKedy, both natives of this count} - . 
They were the parents of seven children, the subject being the second child in 
order of birth. Thomas 11. McKedy located in Center township on the farm 
where his sun, John X.. is now living. He cleared this land, drained and 
fenced ii and put up a log cabin in the early days, where he and his good wife 
started to housekeeping. 

John X. McKedy was reared on the home farm and received his early 
education in the district schools of his neighborhood and followed this by a 
course in the Oakland City College. That he took advantage of his educa- 
tional opportunities is shown by the fact that he took the state teachers' 
examination and secured a license to teach school in his count}-. Although 
he only taught one term of school he made a good record as a teacher that 
year and the teaching profession lost a good instructor when he decided to 
abandon teaching and engage in farming. 

John X. McKedy was united in marriage on March 10, 1877, to Mary 
Madden, the daughter of Wright and Susan J. ( Hollingsworth) Madden, 



GIBSON COUNTY, INDIANA. 941 

both natives of the Hoosier state. To Mr. and Mrs. McKedy have been born 
two children, Homer \ .. who is now the chief clerk in the New York, New 
Haven & Hartford Railroad at New Haven, Connecticut, and Mrs. Mary 
May Lagier, whose husband is a farmer in Center township; she has two 

children. Mav I... born April 4, Midi;, and Madge, born June 23, [912. The 
wife and mother died December 31, [897. 

Mr. McKedy is the owner of a fineh improved farm of eighty-five acres, 
besides other land holdings in Center township. lie has retired from active 
farm life and rents his farm- out to tenants. As a fanner he was successful 
and was counted as one of the most progressive farmers of his community 
at the time when he retired from active labors on the farm. Politically, he 
is a tirm adherent and believer in the principles of the Prohibitionist party, 
and has taken a very active interest in the deliberations of that party, lie is 
a member of the Presbyterian church, and has always been prominent in the 
activities of that denomination. Air. McKedy is a man who is well informed 
on all public questions of the day and keeps apace with the progress ol 
civilization. He does a great amounl of reading and takes pleasure in talk- 
ing over the problems of the day with his friends. He is a genial, unas- 
suming man whom it is a pleasure t<> meet, and all of his neighbors speal 
in the highest terms of his genial companionship. While he has been look 
ing "tit for his material advancement, he has not neglected those higher inter- 
ests which go inn after the welfare of his community, and accordingly he 1- 
in hearty sympathy with all movements looking inward the betterment of the 
community of which he is a resident 



[OHN ARBUTHNOT. 



In the hist iry of Gibson county, as applying ti> the agricultural inter- 
. the name of fohn ^rbuthnol occupies a conspicuous place, for through 
a number of years he has been one of the representative farmers of Cei 
township, progressive, enterprising and persevering. Such qualities al 
ways bring success, sooner or later, and to Mr. Arbuthnot they have brought 
itisfactory reward for his well-directed effort, and while he has benefited 
himself and community in a material way. he has also keen an influential 
tor in the educational, political, and moral uplift of the community fa 
/ored liv his residence. 

I . .1 in Arbuthnot, the s,,,, of Ulysses and. Lurana (Davis) Arbuthnot, 



94 2 GIBSON COUNTY, INDIANA. 

was born June 10, 1857, at Linnville, Indiana. His father came to Gibson 
county in 1867 and settled on a farm about three miles south of Princeton. 
He was a saddlemaker by trade and later followed farming until his death 
in July. 1893. His widow is still living with her sun John at the advanced 
aye of eighty-two. She is still very active for a woman of her age. To 
Mr. and .Mrs. Ulysses Arbuthnot were born four children: Nancy J., John, 
Martha (deceased) and Elizabeth (deceased). 

John Arbuthnot received his elementary education in the district schools 
of Gibson county, and in 1892 began to learn the trade of a miller. He 
followed this occupation for eleven years, but after his marriage he de- 
cided to engage in farming. Accordingly he moved to Tennessee and oper- 
ated a farm in that state for three years. Not liking to remain in that state. 
however, he sold his farm and returned to Gibson count). Patoka town- 
ship, Indiana, where he purchased a farm near Poseyville. Me improved 
this farm and conducted it ven successfully for a number of years, but 
finding a farm in Center township which suited him better, he sold his 
other farm and bought the one in Center township which he owns today. 
On this farm of one hundred and forty-two acres he carries on a diversi 
system of farming and als * raises stock which has proved to he very remun- 
erative. He ogressiv* and scientific farmer who i> able to get the best 
results from the soil. 

He was married on February to, 1X87. to Harriet E. Chism, the daugh- 
ter of William and Mar}- Fitzgerald Chism. His wife's parents were both 
1 orn in ( libson county, his wife being horn in the county on January 2. 1865. 
Mr. and Mrs. Arbuthnot are the parents of five children: Mrs. Lillian M. 
Harbson (born November 21, 1887), whose husband is a teacher in Gibson 
county, at Francisco; Maud E. (horn in Tennessee. April 12, 1890) : Charles 
U. (born January 20, 1893), who is now living in the town of Francisco, 
Indiana: and t\\ o sons who are still under the parental roof — William C. 
horn June 9, [896 1 and Paul E. (born June 4, 1900). 

Mr. Arbuthnot has been a Democrat all his life, and keeps well in- 
formed on the political questions ol the day. He has not been a seeker after 
political honors, preferring rather to devote all of his energies to his agricul- 
tural interests. He and his family are loyal members of the General Piap- 
tist church and are interested in the various activities of that denomination. 
ination. 

Mr. Arbuthnot has won his success only by hard and unceasing labor 
and deserves an honorable place among the representative farmers of his 



GIBSON COUNTY. INDIANA. 943 

county. I l> ha alwa] s taken a part in all movements which sought to amel- 
iorate the moral and social conditions of his communi 
won the confidence and esteem of his fellow citizens. 



iorate the moral and —rial conditions of his community, and in i d< ng has 



C. A. SHUBART. 



The following is a sketch of a plain, honest man of affairs, who by cor- 
rect methods and a strict regard for the interests of his patrons has made his 
influence felt in Princeton and won for himself distinctive prestige in the 
professional circles of that city. He is one of those whose integrity and 
strength of character must force them into an admirable notoriety which 
their modesty never seeks, who command the resped of their contemporaries 
and their posterity and leave the impress of their individuality deeply stamped 
upon the community. 

C. A. Shubart, one of the most prominent photographers of this sec 
lion of the state, was horn October 5, 1869, in Bethel, Pennsylvania. His 
parents, Augustus and Elizabeth (Welborn) Shubart, ilso natives 

of the Keystone state and lived their whole life in the city of Bethel. Au- 
gustus Shubart was a farmer and successful business man in Bethel during 
his whole career, lie and his wife reared a large family of six children: 
Henrietta; Anna, deceased; [Catherine, deceased; Henry, deceased; Aden, 
deceased; and C. A., the immediate subject of this sketch. 

C. A. Shubart received his education in the schools of his native city 
and upon reaching the years of young manhood he entered the serviceof 
a photographer at Canton, Ohio, in order to learn the trade, lie remained 
here for about ten years, when he removed to Marion, Indiana, where he 
remained a short time. Feeling that there was a good opening in Prince- 
ton for a photographer he opened up an establishment in that place in [898 
and has been successful from the first. A destructive fire which occurred 
on December 23, [912, destroyed twenty thousand negatives and all of his 
photographic equipment as well. However, with true determination to 
win and confidence in his ability to succeed he immediately re-established 
himself and is now rapidly winning hack enough to recoup himself for his 
heavy losses by this lire. He is recognized as a man of artistic tastes and 
one who can satisfy the most fa subject, while his courteous manner 

and affable personality have been the means of attracting to him an ever 



944 GIBSON COUNTY, INDIANA. 

increasing number of customers. He made the pictures and views which 
are used in this volume. 

Mr. Shubart was married on November 30, 1896, to Minnie Reese, 
the daughter of Brubaker and Martha (Sheckler) Reese. He met his wife 
while working in Canton, Ohio, and they were married in that city. Fra- 
ternally, he is a member of the Independent Order of Odd Fellows and the 
Benevolent and Protective Order of Elks. Although he is a Republican in 
politics, he has never taken an active part in political affairs and public 
offices have had no attraction for him. Mr. Shubart is a man who has the 

g 1 name of the community at heart and his is the life of a man who gives 

character and stability to the bod}- politic. 



JOSEPH K. McGARY. 

Among the strong and influential citizens of Gibson countv. the records 
of whose lives have become an essential part of the history of this section, the 
gentleman whose name appears above occupies a prominent place and for 
years he has exerted a beneficial influence in the locality where he resides. 
His chief characteristics are keenness of perception, a tireless energy, honesty 
of purpose and motive, and every-day common seme, which have enabled him 
not only to advance his own interests, but also largely contribute to the moral 
and material advancement of the community. 

Joseph K. McGary was born September 28, 1844, on a farm in Mont- 
gomery township, Gibson county, and is a son of Harrison D. and Nancy 
( I'ritchard) McGary, the former a native of Kentucky and the latter of North 
Carolina. Harrison D. McGary, who had come to Gibson county in early 
manhood, was a soldier in the war of 1812. He was a farmer by vocation, 
and lived in Montgomery township until his death, which occurred in 1845, 
his widow dying some years later. The paternal grandfather. Hugh McGary. 
who was a native of Kentucky, took part in the early Indian wars with Daniel 
Boone, and became one of the first settlers of Evansville, having come up the 
Ohio river in a boat and tieing it to an elm tree which died only a few years 
ago; another tree was planted on the spot with considerable ceremony, the sub- 
ject of this sketch being present on that occasion. The subject of this sketch 
is one of three children, the others being William H.. who was killed in the 
battle of Stone's River on January 31. 1862. and Hugh D.. who lives at Fort 



> 
•z 

o 

73 



O 
CO 

B 



► 

73 




GIBSON COUNTY, INDIANA. * 945 

Branch, but who is engaged in business in Princeton in partnership with the 
subject. Mr. McGary received his education in the public schools of Ins home 
community, residing on the paternal farmstead until 1885. when he removed 
to Princeton, where he has since resided. He was very successful in the 
operation of the farm, and also engaged in a number of other commercial 
enterprises, having been treasurer of the sheet metal works for seven years, 
or from the time the company was organized until it sold out. He is now 
engaged in the loan business, in partnership with his brother Hugh, and they 
are numbered among the successful and enterprising business men of 
Princeton. 

During the Civil war. Mr. McGary took an active part in his country's 
defense, enlisting in March, 1864, in Company E. Forty-second Volunteer In- 
fantry, being the youngest of three brothers who took part in that conflict. 
He participated in all of the battles from Chattanooga down to Savannah, and 
was with Sherman on his historic march to the sea. proving a valuable and 
faithful soldier, according to the testimony of his comrades. He is now and 
has been for a number of years an active member of the Grand Army of the 
Republic, and he, in association with D. \V. Smith, got up the petition and 
started the effort for the erection of the soldiers' monument in Princeton, and 
probably mure to Mr. McGary than anyone else is due the credit for the suc- 
cess of this project, as Mr. Smith died sooon after the petition was started and 
the burden of the work fell upon Mr. McGary. 

Mr. McGary has been twice married, first, in September, [872, to Rebecca 
Weed, to which union no children were born. Mrs. McGary died in 1001. hav- 
ing been an invalid for many years, and in June. [904, Mr. McGary married 
Mrs. Matilda Degraff, whose maiden name was Trible. She was born and 
reared in Johnson township, Gibson county, and is a lady of many excellent 
qualities of head and heart, who has endeared herself to all who knew her. 

Politically, Mr. McGary is a stanch su] if the Republican party, 

while religiously he is an earnest and active member of the Methodist Epis- 
copal church. In local civic affairs he has long taken a deep interest, having 
served efficiently as a member of the city council for six years, and giving his 
support to all movements for the betterment of the public welfare. Although 
his life has been a busy one, his every-day affairs making heavy demands u 
his time, he has never shrunk from his duties as a citizen and his obligation to 
his church has never been neglected. He is, first of all, distinctively a man of 
the people, whose interests he has at heart and for whom lie would not hesitate 
(60) 



946 GIBSON COUNTY, INDIANA. 

to make any reasonable sacrifice. Genial and unassuming in his relations with 
his fellows, he has a wide acquaintance, among whom are many warm and 
loyal personal friends. 



HENRY WILDF.MAN. 



Among the prominent young farmers of Center township, Gibson county, 
Indiana, no one occupies a more prominent place than does the subject of this 
review. He comes from highly honored German parentage and has a herit- 
age of all those sterling qualities which characterize the German emigrants 
who came to this country early in its history. He takes a very active part in 
all the social, material and intellectual interests of his community and is alto- 
gether one of those citizens whom any count)- would he proud to possess. 
With his good common sense, strict integrity and steady persistence he has 
won a name for himself early in life and is well liked by all with whom he 
has come in contact. 

Henry Wildeman, the son of ( harles and Sally ( Aker ) Wildeman, was 
born in Posey county, Indiana. November 9. 1X70. Henry Wildeman, Sr., 
the father of Charles, was a very highly educated man and school teacher in 
Germany. lie spoke German and French. He brought his family to this 
country in 1S49 anc ' settled in Pose) count), Indiana, where he remained the 
rest of his life on a farm. He directed the farm work but was never actively 
d. Charles W'ildeman was born in Germany in [835, while his wife. 
Sally Aker, ivas a native of Posey county, Indiana. In [882, the family 
moved to Gibson count) and settled on the farm where Henrv now lives. 
Charles Wildeman died on Jul) 27, 1909, his wife having passed away many 
years previous, February 23, 1881. To Mr. and Mrs. Charles Wildeman 
were born twelve children: Mrs. Carrie Whitman; Mr>. Katie Gerhart. de- 
ceased; \ndrew, who is represented elsewhere in this work: Mrs. Lizzie 
Weaver; Mrs. Rosie Stateman; Charles, who is also represented elsewhere 
in this work; Henry, the immediate subject of this sketch: Joseph; Frank, a 
farmer of Center township in this county; Mrs Maggie Smith and Sallie, 
who died in infancy. 

Hem - )- W'ildeman received his common school education in the district 
schools of his neighborhood and worked on his father's farm until he was 
twenty-five years of age : then he went west and followed teaming for two 
years, at the expiration of which time he returned to Gibson count)-, where 



GIBSON COUNTY, INDIANA. 947 

he has since resided, lie is the owner of a fine farm of one hundred and 
forty-live acres in this county in Center township, which is well improved and 
equipped with the latest agricultural machinery. In addition to carrying on 
a system of diversified farming, he also raises considerable live stock, in which 
. he has been very successful. 

Mr. Wildeman was married on .May 21, [902, to Katie Deters, the 
daughter of Barne} and Alary Deters, and to this union there have been born 
three children : Edgar, born January 22, 1904; Roy. born October iS. [908; 
Albert, born October 6, 1911. Mr. Wildeman has had success commensurate 
with his ability and effort and is recognized in the community as a man ol 
more than ordinary ability. In addition to his farming interests, he has 
stock in the Francisco State Bank, ai Francisco, Indiana. Politically, he is a 
Democrat, but has never been an aspirant lor political preferment. He is a 
member, with his family, of the Catholic church, and contributes liberally 
of his substance to the support of this denomination and takes an interested 
part in all the activities of the church. He is one of the most prominent and 
progressive farmers and business men of this section of the county, and his 
counsel is frequently sought by his friends, lie belongs to thai class of men 
who are pushing forward the wheels of progress and by sheer force of char- 
acter and persistency he ha- won bis wa y t<' a place of influence and promi- 
nence in the community where he lives. 



TOHX H. MILLER. 



Success in this life comes to the deserving. It is an axiom demonstrated 
by all human experience that a man gets out of this life what he puts into it. 
plus a reasonable interest on the investment. The individual who inherits 
a large estate and adds nothing to his fortune cannot be called a successful 
man. He that falls heir to a large fortune and increases its value is success- 
ful in proportion to the amount he adds to bis possession. But the man who 
starts in the world unaided and b) sheet Foro of will, controlled by correct 
principles, forges ahead and at length reaches a position oi honor among his 
fellow citizen- achieves success -neb as representatives of the two former 
classes can neither understand nor appreciate. To a considerable extent the 
subject of this sketch is a creditable representative of the class last named, 
a class which has furnished much of the bone and sinew of the country and 
added to the stability of our government and its institutions. 



94^ GIBSON COUNTY, INDIANA. 

John H. Miller, a veteran of the Civil war and a retired lawyer of 
Princeton, Indiana, was born in Rockport, Indiana, on December 1, 1841. His 
parents were Air. and Airs. Benjamin Franklin Miller, his father being born 
in Virginia. B. F. Miller was reared in Washington, Pennsylvania, and 
after receiving a common school education started in the manufacture and 
wholesaling of tobacco, and later went to Covington, Kentucky, where he 
followed the same business. He was married at Harrodsburg, Kentucky, to 
Nancy A. Biggins, and in 1832 removed to Newberg, Indiana. After a resi- 
dence of two years in that city, he went to Rockport, and in 1849 to Gentry- 
ville, Indiana, where his death occurred in 1884, at the age of seventy-nine 
years, while his wife died at the age of eighty-two years. Air. Miller was a 
Whig in politics before that party was a part of the Republican party, and 
from 1856 on until the time of his death, he supported the Republican party. 
Mr. and Airs. P. F. Miller reared five children: Jane, deceased; Addie, de- 
ceased; Elizabeth, deceased; Benjamin F., who served during the Civil war 
in Company H, Forty-second Regiment Indiana Volunteers, and was killed at 
the battle of Stone's River; and John IP, the immediate subject of this sketch. 

John H. Aliller received his common school education in the southern 
part of Indiana and for a time attended a private school taught by a Air. 
Burns, a man of excellent learning for those days. When the Civil war was 
at its height in December of 1863, Air. Aliller enlisted in Company H, Tenth 
Regiment Indiana Volunteer Cavalry, lie organized the company and was 
the first lieutenant, being mustered into the service on March 8, [863. His 
ripany saw service in the battles of Decatur. Alabama; Nashville, Tennessee: 
Mobile; Fort Blakely and Spanish Fort and many other engagements. Since 
he was a member of the cavalry service he saw a great ileal of staff duty. 
He served until the close of the war and was discharged in the summer 
1865. 

Immediately after the close of the war Air. Aliller returned to this state 
and located in Petersburg, where he read law for a time with Wiley C. 
Adams, of Jasper. Indiana. In the spring of 1866, he was admitted to the 
bar and took up the active practice of his profession at Petersburg, with a 
partner. E. P. Richardson, and continued his practice at this place until [884, 
when he located in Princeton and resumed his practice with J. E. McCullough. 
This firm of AlcCullough & Aliller did a general law business until 1906, 
when Air. Aliller retired on account of age. and since that time he has looked 
after his farm interests at Union in Pike county in this state, where he has 
one of the finest farms in the count v. He is a breeder of fine mules. Here- 



i.i bsi in coi n i v. imii \na. 949 

turd cattle, Poland China and Red Jersey hogs, and is regarded as one ol 
the most successful stock breeders in this pari of the state. 

Mr. .Miller was married on March 30, [868, to Alary E. Montgomery, 
the daughter oi Thomas L. and Elizabeth (Edmondson) Montgomery, oi 
Petersburg, Indiana. She died on August 11. [90= Mr. and Mrs. John 11. 
.Miller were the parents of two children, Montgomery L., who died shortly 
after he was admitted to the bar, and Bessie A., who is still at home. Mr. 
.Miller is a member oi the United Presbyterian church of Princeton, taking 
an interested part in the various activities of this denomination. Fraternally, 
he is a member of the Archer Post, Grand Army of the Republic, and takes a 
lively interest in the affairs of this order. Like his father before him, he has 
been a life-long Republican, but has never been a seeker for or held any 
political office. 

As a lawyer Mr. .Miller, by a straightforward and honorable course has 
built up a large and lucrative legal business and financially has been fairly 
successful. His life affords a splendid example of what an American youth, 
plentifully endowed with good common sense, energ) and thrift, can ac- 
complish when accompanied by good mural principles, lie was intensely 
methodical and unswerving in his search of the essentials of the legal founda- 
tion and sources of legal conception and thought, holding devoutly to the 
highly embellished record of equity in all matters of jurisprudence. Now in 
his declining years he can look hack upon a life which has been well spent 
and a record which needs no apolog) m any particular. 



JOSEPH ROBERT KENDLE. 

Among those who are eminently entitled to a place in a work of thi- 
character is the gentleman whose name initiates this paragraph, who has 
passed to his reward, hut whose name will continue to adorn the annals 
of his community for all time, owing to the fact that he performed well 
his part in the drama of civilization and led a life that was exemplary in 
every respect. He set an excellent example to the younger generations, For 
he was a leader in his locality in all matter- that pertained to its upbuilding, 
and in a conservative manner did what ^<un\ he could in all lines a- he la- 
bored for his own advancement and that of his family. I lis memory i> 
well worthy to he cherished by his descendant- .and friends. 



950 GIBSON COUNTY, INDIANA. 

Joseph Robert Kendle was born September 14, 1841, in Gibson county, 
Indiana, tiie son of George Kendle, who was a native of Harrison count)", 
Indiana. George Kendle came to Gibson county at an early date, and 
passed the remainder of his life in this community, his death occurring in 
the city of Princeton. 

The subject of this brief biographical review obtained such education 
as was afforded by the schools of that period, and then took up the pur- 
suit of agriculture, in which he was one of the must successful men in 
Gibson county. The breeding and raising of fine live stock occupied much 
of his attention, a ready market always being found for his products in 
this line. 

September 25, 1862, Mr. Kendle was united in the bonds of matrimony 
to [sabelle Polk, daughter of Clayborn and Rachel (Shoptaugh) Polk, who 
were born and reared in Kentucky, although Mrs. Kendle was a native of 
Gibson county. Clayborn Polk was a blacksmith, an expert sawsmith and 
gunsmith, but on his removal to Indiana devoted almost all his attention 
to agriculture, in which vocation he soon established himself as a leader 
among the progressive men of his time. He was one of the first in his 
community to ditch land in order to increase its fertility, and it is noted 
that his influence along the lines of scientific farming was felt in later 
years, while his interest in the schools was productive of much good along 
educational lines. He built the first grist mill in Gibson county. 

No children were burn to Mr. and Mrs. Kendle. Mr. Kendle built 
the fine home in 1882 in which his widow resides, and at thai time he retired 
from active farming. The discovery of oil on Mr. Kendle's farm added 
much to its value, there now being twenty wells located on the three hun- 
dred acres owned by his widow. 

Although never aspiring to public office, Mr. Kendle took an active 
interest in public affairs, being a Democrat and having well defined views 
on the subject of prohibition, of which he was an earnest advocate. Frater- 
nally, he was a member of the Free and Accepted Masons, while his church 
affiliations were with the General Baptists. 

Mrs. Kendle, who is now spending the winters in Florida, has two 
sisters and two brothers living. 

Thus, in this all trio brief life record, are given the principal events of 
interest in the life of one who ever gave his support to all worthy enter- 
prises and projects for the general good, so that, although he has passed 
from the life militant to the life triumphant, his character still lives in 



GIBSON COUNTY, INDIANA. 95 1 

the memories of his fellow men as a model citizen and one who made a 
large contribution to the developmenl and progress of this section of the 
state. Mrs. Kendle has, since her husband's death, been very successful in 
the handling of her business affairs, and dun;'!- erousl) to all enter- 

prises having for their ends the good of the community. 



IRGE WEBER. 



Though nature affords excellent opportunities for the carrying on 
certain lines of labor in every locality, there b demanded of any man great 
industry and diligence if he succeeds in any business. Competition makes 
him put forth his best efforts and il requires great care to conduct any busi- 
ness enterprise along profitable lines. This is especially true of farming and 
from the time of earliest spring planting until the crops are harvested the 
fanner's life is a busy one. Even through the winter months he prepares 
lor the labors of the coming year and thus lays the foundation of his success 

tin' ensuing year. And. yet, the farmer leads a most independent c 
ence and always has the satisfaction ■ rig a day off whenever he de-ire-. 

Gibson county lias as fine farms and excellent farmers as can be found any- 
where in the state of Indiana, ami among these farmer- is the subject of this 
sketch. 

George Weber, the son of Adam and Catherine (Cumbel) Weber, was 
born August 17, 1S5S, in Posey count}'. Indiana. His parents were both nati 

■ lermany, and came to this country an I in Pose} county before the 

» nil war. Adam Weber was a very successful farmer and at the time of his 
death was one of the largest land owner- in I' unty, having several 

hundred acres of land in the county. He [ualities of Ger- 

man thrift and industry which have made the sons of Germany leaders in this 
country in whatever they have undertaken. Xo country ha- sent better emi- 
grants to America than Germany and they are always an important factor in 
every commi nit) so fortunate a- t" get them a.- settlers. Adam Weber li 
to a ripe old 1 passing a. way until 1885. 

George Welti received his early education in the ! '■ unty sch 

and worked ather's farm until hi- marriage. Here he was taught 

bis worthy father all those multitudinous ■ which the farmer must 

know if lie want- to be successful in his chosi 

1 'pon his marriage on January 1 ;. 1884, '" ( 'atherine Maurer. the daugh- 



i 2 GIBSON COUNTY, INDIANA. 

ter of George and Elizabeth (Carter) Maurer, he went to farming on eighty 
acres which he had previously bought but not paid for entirely. His wife's 
father was a native of Germany and had come to this state early in life and 
settled in Gibson county where he married, his wife being a native of the 
county. To Mr. and Mrs. Weber were born nine children: Elizabeth (de- 
ceased), whose birth occurred April 15, 1885; Alary, born December 22, 
1887; Maggie, born September 7. 1889; Joseph, burn October 24, 1891 ; 
William, burn April 15. 1894, who is a traveling salesman out of Chicago; 
Frances, born November 6, 1896; Theresa, born June 1, 1899; Edith, born 
October 29, 1902; Anna, born September 2, 1000. AM ... the children are 
still at home except Man- and Maggie, who live at Evansville, Indiana. 

Mr Weber has been a very successful manager and has gradual!)' added 
to his landed possessions until he now owns one hundred forty-three and a 
half acres in this count}', lie has built a line residence upon his farm and 
enjoys all the modern conveniences of life. This has been accomplished b; 
the application of those principles of sterling honesty and integrity in all his 
business transactions with his fellow citizens. 

The Democratic party has always received his earnest endorsement and 
upon election days he gives to its men and measures his ballot. He has never 
asked, fur any political favors at the hands of his party being content to devote 
all of his time and energy to his agricultural interests. He and his family 
arc loyal member- of the Catholic church and contribute liberally of their 
means to the support of that denomination. They have always co-operated 
with every movement which was directed toward the bettering of the com- 
munity in which they lived. The honest}' of Mr. Weber stand- as an un- 
questioned fact in his career and there are other elements which are equally 
strong in his character and which command for him the unqualified con- 
fidence of those with whom he is associated. 



JOSEPH SEB \STIAN. 



Gibson county is characterized by a goodly share of sturdy German 
descendants and no better people can be found in any section of the state. 
They have done much for the development of the state and wherever they 
have settled they have been prominent factors in the material progress of their 
respective communities and have done their full share towards the establish- 
ment of the various institutions of civilization. Many of these honored 



GIBSON COUNTY, INDIANA. 953 

pioneers arc still living in the midst of the scenes of their former labors and 
are todaj enjoying the richly merited respect and material rewards which have 
come in them as the result oi their earnest and honest i l >ne of 

this number is the gentleman whose name head- this brief sketch and whose 
father \va if the earliest German settlers of the county. 

Joseph Sebastian, one of the most prosperous German descendants 
the county, the sun of George J. and Genie 1 a I \rmbruster) Sebastian, was 
horn Jul\- to, 1854, in Vanderburg county, Indiana. Both of his parents 
were natives of Germany, his father coming to America when he was about 
thirty-live years of age and settling on land near Evansville. At that time 
the land was a foresl wilderness and the axe of the white man had never 
touched it. lie paid the first taxes on the land and with grim determination 
started in to make his farm yield the best possible results. He was c 
pelled to endure all <>f those hardships and depri Inch tall to the lot 

of the pioneers in any new country, and with true German thrift he ■;■ 
ceeded He and his good wife in the course of time had one of the best 
farms in the count) and reared a large family of eight children, the subject of 
this sketch being their fifth child. 

Joseph Sebastian's boy! 1 days were spent in the usual manner of 

farmer lads, going to the district schools for a short time in the winter and 
working on his father's farm in the summer. lie continued to labor on the 
home farm until his marriage, which occurred on April <>. t88o. I lis wife was 
Louisa Wolf, the daughter of Martin and Mary A. fDeamer) Wolf. Both 
of his wife's parents were born in Germany. Mr. and Mrs. Sebastian are 
the parents of five children: Joseph <i.. who was horn May 10. 1881. lb 
a blacksmith and liveryman at Mac key. Indiana, and also manages the grain 
elevator at the same town. lie married \niia Brahm and has five children: 
Bruner. [Catherine, Wibert, Rosa and George Washington; John M.. the s< 
oiul child, was horn February 26, [887, and lives niton one of his father's 
farms. lie married Mary Angemier and has one son, Joseph ( ',. ; two sons 
are living on a homestead in Montana — Martin I'"., horn April 24, [885, and 
Frank A., horn November 25, r886; Mary (i.. the youngest child of the sub- 
ject, is at Ferdinand, Indiana, in a convent. 

Mr. Sebastian is possessed of more than ordinary ability, as is shown by 
his success in life. Starting out with practically nothing, he has gradually 
added to his landed possessions until he now owns a farm of three hundred 
acres of as line land as can he found in the county. This result has been 
obtained onl) by painstaking and conscientious efforts and the application 



954 GIBSON COUNTY, INDIANA. 

of strict business principles. As a citizen and neighbor he takes a lively inter- 
est in whatever concerns the welfare of his community, being a man of in- 
telligence, good judgment and commendable public spirit. He has a beauti- 
ful home on his farm where he and his faithful wife are surrounded with all 

omforts of modern life. 

Air. Sebastian's affiliations politically have always been with the Repub- 
lican party but he has never sought any office at the hands of his party. He 
and all the members of his family are devoted adherents of the Catholic 
church and have contributed to the various activities of their church in ac- 
cordance with their mean-. I lis life has been wholesome and exemplary in 
every respect and his course in all matters lias been such as to win him the 
respect and regard of all with whom 'he has come in contact. As a gentle- 
man, citizen, business man and Christian, his life has been well rounded out 
and Ik- stand- today as one of the best representative men of his county. 



LEVI WALLACE COULTER. 

; : His among the representative men and public-spirited citizens 
of Gibson county is the well known gentleman whose name forms the caption 
of this article. He has made his influence felt for good in his community in 
• ntgomery township, where he owns eighty-eight acres of finely located 
land, being a man of sterling worth, whose life has been closely interwoven 
with the history of the community in which he resides. His efforts have 
always been for the material advancement of his locality, as well as for the 
ial and moral welfare of his fellow men. and the well regulated life he has 
led has gained the respect and admiration of all his fellow citizens. 

Levi Wallace Coulter was born on December 8, 1834. on the Susque- 
hanna river in Pennsylvania, the son of Hugh and Rebecca (Wilaman) 
( oulter. When he was a little child aboul a year old, his parent- decided 
to try their fortunes in what then seemed the far west and decided to settle 
in Indiana, and did so, locating about five miles north of Washington, Indi- 
ana, I >a\ iess county. There they purchased land, hut later disposed of it and 
removed to Gibson county. Hugh Coulter had lived there but a few years 
when his death occurred about the year [852, while the subject of this sketch 
quite a young man. 
Levi Wallace Coulter first came to Gibson county in the spring of [848, 



GIBSON COUNTY, INDIANA. 955 

having made arrangements to work for a brother-in-law residing here. This 
was Samuel Wheeler, who had rented a farm on Black river in the southern 
portion of Montgomery township. Two years later Samuel Wheeler moved 
within aboul seven n Evansville, Indiana, where he also rented a farm. 

and young Levi Wallace Coulter went with him. They remained th 
about a year and in the fall of [850 Wheeler purchased land in Gibson 
county, north of Union Chapel. Levi Wallace Coulter returned with his 
brother-in-law, hut hired out to another man for six months. It was his wish 
to attend school and the arrangement entered into was that he should work 
for six months and board and clothing to be furnished him and he permitted 
to attend school. He fulfilled his part of the agreement, but his employer 
did not and so he sought another place, working about f< 1 different neigh- 
bors, lie worked for Edward Knowles until [854 and then entered into an 
agreement with him whereby he was to operate Knowles' farm for his board 
and half the crops. Mr. Knowles died the following autumn. 

In the fall of 1856, the subject of this sketch was united in marriage to 
Malissa Knowles, daughter of Nathan and Temperance (Boren) Knowl 
Malissa Knowles was horn November 23, [834, and was reared on the land 
where they now reside, the same spot tin \ have lived ever since their mar 

fty-seven ye; Truly this is an enviable record, a privil 

enjoyed b} feu indeed. Nathan Knowles. father of Mrs. Coulter, was born 
June 17. 1795, and. when a small hoy. m his home in Delaware 1 

eorgia with his parents, lames Knowles and wife, lie had reached young 
manhood when in t8ll the family came here and his father, James Knowles. 
secured land on section -'.s, in M r) township, where Mounts Station 

is now. and there he passed the remainder of his life. After a few yea 
Nathan Kno itered land in section 35, north of Cynthiana, \vh 1 

or many years and on which spol he died February 2, iNe_\ Had he 
lived until tl wing June, he would have been ninel 

it v 1 1 lie was married to Temperance Boren, who was born Si 

r ! 3, [835. She was the daughter of Nichi 
en, who settled near Blythe Chapel in Gibson county and died thi 

nd [oh ■ -0.11, and located .and died east of Cynthiana. 

Levi Wallace Coulter and wife are the parents of two children. 1 
F.lvis M., \vh i with his father and attends to the actual 

■he place. Hi- wife was Sally Downs and they have a famih 
ir children, two sons and two daughters: Flo 
and the daughters are Mr-. Cleo Cater and Mrs. Mamie her 



95 1 GIBSON COUNTY, INDIANA. 

son of Mr. and .Mrs. Coulter is Nathan McClellan, who resides about one 
and one-half miles east of his father on the line between Johnson and Mont- 
gomery townships. He married Etta Pitzer and they have two children, 
Opal and Wilson. 

The house in which Mr. and Mrs. Coulter live was built in 1S21 when 
timber was plentiful and that of which it is composed is heavy and strong. 
It was originally a log house of one large room with a great fire place in one 
end, but has since been weatherboarded, added to and made a more modern 
dwelling. Mr. Coulter has an excellent memory and has many interesting 
things to tell of early pioneer clays. Their home has an inviting air of 
hospitality that insures a welcome to all. Mr. Coulter recalls the log rollings 
of those earl_\- spring times and says the first cook stove he ewer saw was 
owned by his brother, Hiram, who had purchased it at Washington, Indiana, 
and used it to heat his house. That was about 1847. He also recalls the 
enthusiasm of the people over the first railroad, and the timidity felt at any- 
thing that could run so fast of its own power, although it would be considered 
anything but speedy in our day and age. Politically. Mr. Coulter has always 
given his support to the Democrat party. His man}- years of residence in 
the community have won for him and his faithful wife the unbounded friend- 
ship of old and young alike. 



ANDREW J. WILDEMANN. 

One of the enterprising and successful farmers of Gibson county who 
ha^ succeeded in his chosen vocation solely through his own courage, per- 
sistency and good management is Andrew j. Wildemann, of Center township, 
a man who believes in lending what aid he can to his neighbors and the gen- 
eral public while advancing his individual interests. Descended from < ier- 
man parentage, he has all of those excellent traits which make the German 
citizens of our country welcome wherever they settle. 

Andrew J. Wildemann, the son of Charles and Sally ( Aker) Wildemann, 
was horn in Posey county, Indiana, November 4, 1863. Both of his parents 
were natives of Germany and lived there until after their marriage, when 
they came to America and settled in Posey county. In 1882 the family 
moved to Gibson county and settled on the farm now owned by their son, 
Henry. Charles Wildemann died July 2J, 1909. his wife having passed away 



GIBSON COUNTY, INDIANA. 957 

many years before, February 23, 1881. Mr. and Mrs. Charles Wildemann 
were the parents of a large famil) of twelve children : Mrs. ( arrie Whitman ; 
Mrs. Katie Gerhart, deceased; Andrew J.; Mrs. Lizzie Weaver; Mrs. Rosie 
Stateman; Charles, who is represented elsewhere in this book; Henry, who 
is also represented elsewhere in this volume; Frank, a farmer of Center town- 
ship, in this county; Joseph; VIrs. Maggie Smith; and Sallie, who died 
infancy. 

Andrew J. Wildemann received the limited education which was to be 
obtained from the districl schools of Posey County and has supplemented it 
with reading and close observation, lie assisted Ins father on the home 
farm until the time 'if his marriage, in this way becoming familiar with all 
the details which mark the successful farmer. 

Andrew J. Wildemann was married to Katherine M. Freppon, the daugh- 
ter of Mattias and Katherine Freppon, on November -'_'. [892. Mattias 
Freppon was a native of Germany and came to this country with his parents 
when he was about three years of age. lie saw service in the Civil war in 
Company A, Forty-second Regimenl Indiana Volunteer Infantry, and was 
in continuous action for three years and si\ months. Mr. and Mrs. Freppon 
ate still living in Evansville, Indiana. 

Mr. and Mrs. Wildemann are the parents of three children: Stella R., 
horn August 23, [893, am! still living at home; Lillie, deeeased : Leo, de- 
ceased; they also reared a boy, Herberl Chesser, taking him in their home 
when he was nine years of age. lie continued to live with them until he 
was eighteen, when he moved to Montana. 

Mr. Wildemann has been very successful as a tiller 1 if the s, ,ii , , n his farm 
of one hundred and twelve and a half acres of land, lie is careful and con 
servative in all his business transactions and yel is sufficiently far-sighted 
to make good investments. M a stockholder and director in the Fram 
State Bank, Ik- is closel) identified with the financial interests of his com- 
munity, and is recognized as a man of more than ordinary ability along busi- 
ness .and commercial lines lie also has invested in property in the town of 
Princeton, Indiana. 

Mr. Wildemann has always advocated the policies and principles of the 
I (emocratic party, and takes an active interest in the caucuses and conventions 
mi" his party. However, he has ne 1 a candidate for political office, 

preferring t" give all of his time and attention t" his own affairs. He and 
the remainder of his family are devout members of the Catholic church and 
contribute liberally of their means to its support. Mr. Wildemann is a man 



<,;5' V GIBSON COUNTY, INDIANA. 

who makes friends wherever he goes, and because of his personal qualities 
of honesty and integrity, he has a wide circle of friends and acquaintances in 
the community where he has lived so many years. 



ELIJAH BINKLEY- 



To a great extent the prosperity of the agricultural section of our coun- 
try is due to the honest industry, the sturdy persistence, the unswerving per- 
severance and the wise economy which so prominently characterize the farm- 
ing element of the Hoosier state. Among this class may be mentioned the 
subject of this life record, who, by reason of years of indefatigable labor 
and honest effort, has not only acquired a well merited material prosperity, 
but has also richly earned the highest esteem of all with whom he is as- 
sociated. Air. Binkley has preferred to spend his life in his native community, 
believing that richer opportunities existed near his own threshold than else- 
where. He represents one of the old and sturdy families of the section of the 
state of which this history deals, the Binkleys having played well their part 
in the affairs of the same from the early days to the present time and the 
subject has sought to keep the good name of his progenitors untarnished. 

Elijah Binkley, who for many years was numbered among the active 
and industrious agriculturists of Gibson county, but who is now retired from 
active labor, was born on December 26, 1833, in Patoka township, this 
county, and is the son of George and Catherine (Chinn) Binkley. These par- 
ents, who both were natives of Yadkin county, North Carolina, were reared 
and married in their native state and in 1827 came to Warrick county, In- 
diana. A short time later they removed to Gibson county, locating in Patoka 
township, where Mr. Binkley secured a tract of wild land, which he cleared 
and developed into a good farm. Their first home was a rude log cabin, 
typical of that pioneer period, ami here they established their home and reared 
their children to honorable manhood and womanhood. They spent the re- 
mainder of their lives on that place, and died there. They were members of 
the Methodist Episcopal church and people of sterling qualities of character, 
enjoying to a very creditable degree the confidence of the community. They 
were the parents of eleven children, namely: James, who went to Kansas and 
was there killed ; Erederick. who moved to Kansas, where his death occurred : 
Jacob, deceased; Elijah, the immediate subject of this sketch; Pauline, the 
widow of William Van Zant, and now residing in Princeton ; Julia Ann, the 



GIBSON COUNTY, INDIANA. 959 

wife of Henry Thomas Tichenor, of Princeton; I ceased, who was the 

wife of William Spore, of Princeton; George, deceased; Caroline, who lives 
in Kansas; Lovina is the widow of Warren Wade of Missouri, and Lewis, 
a retired farmer of Princeton. 

The subject of this sketch received a limited education, his only oppor- 
tunity being the subscription schools of his neighborhood, which in that early 
day were rather primitive, both in methods and equipment, lie lived at home 
until about 1858, when he was married, and then lived for a while on a part 
of his present farm, which he cleared and otherwise improved. This place has 
been added to from time to time until he is now the owner of eighty acres of 
valuable and well-improved land. To the cultivation of this tract, Mr. Bink- 
ley devoted himself with such splendid success that in 1901, feeling that he 
had gained a competency sufficient to free his later years from care, he re- 
tired, and is now living quietly at his home in Patoka township. 

On April 8, 1858, Mr Binkley married Matilda Sweezey, a native of 
Gibson county, Indiana, a daughter of San ford and Elizabeth (Jennings) 
Sweezey. These parents were born and reared in Nelson county. Kentucky, 
lint were early settlers in Gibson county, where they located on a tract of 
land in Patoka township. To .Mr. and Mrs. Sweezey were born the following 
children: Nancy J., deceased: William H., deceased, and Matilda, who is now 
Mrs. Binkley. Sanford Sweezey died at the age of fifty. He had been a 
successful farmer, and as a member of the Cumberland Presbyterian church, 
he wielded a beneficent influence in that community. He was three tii 
married, his second wife being Nellie LaGrange, and the third wife, Mary 
Ann Booker. To Mr. and Mrs Binkley has been born a sun. Henry L. 
Binkley, a traveling salesman, who married Mary Alice frvin. and thi 
a daughter. Hazel, the wife of Paul Carey. 

Politically, Mr. Binkley lias always voted the Republican ticket, especi- 
ally in national elections while in local affair: imes a more independent 
attitude, voting for the man whom he deems lies: Me 
is in close touch with all public works, ai on all the 
great issui - >i die daw lie ami his - of the 1 tist 
church, belonging to ciety known as the White Church. Mr. i 
is well preserved for a man of his year-, retaining his mental ami physical 
faculties to a marked degree, and. having a splendid memory, is authority on 
many incidents < :d with the early life of tin- community. It is 1 
of him that at one time he knew personally almost every resident of Gil' 
county. Having begun life practically at the bottom of the ladder, he climb 



960 GIBSON COUNTY, INDIANA. 

to the top with no help but a brave heart, industrious hand and an intelligent 
brain and is a living example of what may be accomplished in this favorite 
country of nature, by patient perseverance, even under circumstances often- 
times discouraging. Genial and unassuming by nature, he has many warm 
friends and is liked bv all who know him. 



EDGAR MAUCR. 



The biography to which the reader's attention is now directed is that of 
Edgar Mauck, ex-county treasurer of Gibson county. Indiana, and successful 
farmer, a man who, by reason of his active interest in politics, his business 
connections and his genial personality, is widely known and universally liked 
and respected. The families from which Air. Mauck is descended have been 
prominent in the history of Gibson and other counties in the southern portion 
of the state, and it is highly interesting to trace back his family for several 
generatii ins. 

Beginning with John Mauck, great-grandfather of the immediate sub- 
ject of this sketch, we find he was with Cornwallis's army at the battle of 
Yorktown. A native of Virginia, he married a Mis- Keyser and after the 
close of the Revolutionary war he went into Tennessee, and. still journeying 
westward, came to the Kentucky shore of the Ohio river at a point opposite 
the present town of Mauckport, in Harrison county. Indiana. This was in 
the year 1S01. at which time there was the merest settlement at the place 
named. He came into Indiana at that point, obtained land, on which he 
located and the town that sprung up about him was given his name. He wa- 
il man of ability and a leader of his day, and was known far and wide and 
highly respected by all. He built the first mill at Mauckport and, after 
rearing a large family, be and his wife died and were buried there. 

Joseph, one of the sons of John Mauck, and grandfather of Edgar 
Mauck, was born in 1787 and took as his wife Grace Broyles. They came 
to Gibson county about the year 1821 and obtained wild land, which they 
cleared and made a home. His efforts were mainly devoted to farming, 
but he also operated flat boats on the river, a picturesque mode of transpor- 
tation in those days. Flat boats were constructed, loaded perhaps with the 
produce of a whole neighborhod and, manned by several men, would drift 
down the river to various points, sometimes even as far as the excellent 




M* #*s 




ALFRED MAUCK. 



GIBSON COUNTY, INDIANA. 961 

market at New Orleans, and then, when the cargo was disp , would 

make the return journey, often the entire distance, by foot. Joseph was 
of three brothers, the others being John and Henry, who came together to 
Gibson county, locating in Montgomer) township. All reared large families 
and the present-day Maucks are mostl) descendants of these three brothers. 
Joseph kvas also widely known and respected, as had been his father, and was 
a leading man of his day in the community, lie was a member oi the Bap- 
tisl church and a Democrat. His death occurred in 1857. Joseph and wife 
reared a family of eleven children, who grew to manhood and womanhood, 
namely: Elizabeth, horn September 20, [808, became the wife of Thon 

berts, and the) passed their lives together in Montgomery township, Gib- 
son county. Julius, who was born December 20, t8io, and passed his life in 
the same township, was a man unusually well educated for his day and com- 
munity. Jacob, born August 21, 1813, lived in Montgomery township. 
Samuel, born June ;<>. 1N15, lived in Montgomery township and died in 
Princeton. Catherine, born April 9, [818, became the wife of Thomas W'il- 
kins. Abram. born February 17, 1821, lived in Montgomery township, bu1 
later removed to Mt'. Carmel, Illinois, where lie followed his vocation, that of 
a miller. John, born October 17 1824, was a miller and merchant engaged 
with hi- I rother Abraham, and was drowned in Mt. Carmel. Illinois, in [8 
The eighth child was Alfred (father of Edgar Mauck), born Mai 1, 1 S _ 7 : 
ilied June 26, [913. Ellen, born May 24, [830, became the wife of Henry 
Ayres. Luanda I., born May 6, [833, married Reuben Emerson. They 
lived m Montgomery township on the old homestead and were the pari: 
of two children. Thomas and Cabin. The if this go 

fashioned family was Susan, horn December 1. 1836, and who married Will- 
iam Redman. They made their home in Mt. Carmel, Illinois. All of th 
above mentioned are now dead. 

Alfred Mauck. the father of the immediate subject of this sketch, was 
born as ab ed, in 1827. He rec< ly a limited schooling in 

youth, Imt it was a foundation properly laid and on it he reared mre 

of learning which would do credit to one of excellent college training. He 
was a gi der of history, a tireless student of the Bible, and a tine mathe- 

matician. He was always fully informed on current events and considered 
an authority in such matter-. In all this he had the advantage of a re- 
markabli ry, which was doubtless of untold assi 10th in acquir 

knowledge and in the conduct of hi- business. Ml his life w: in Gib- 

61) 



GIBSON COUNTY, INDIANA. 

son county. Until his twenty-third year he made his home on the old home- 
stead, and at that time bought a general store in Owensville, where he was in 
partnership with Smith Devin for several years. He later had as a partner 
Henry Ayres, which connection continued until he came to Princeton, in 
1859 and purchased the Zenith mill. This mill he operated for several 
years, in the course of which he purchased his partner's interest. During 
this time he was also in the mercantile and pork-packing business. He sold 
his milling interest in 1881, after which time he gave his undivided attention 
to bis farming interests. He owned land in Patoka, Washington, Mont- 
nery and Center townships, lie was a stanch Democrat, vitally interested 
in the affairs of his party, but never aspired to office, although he was in- 
duced to serve once as councilman. 

Alfred Mauck was first married in 1849 l " Nancy Devin, of Princeton, 
who was born in 1833, a daughter of James and Hannah ( Chapman) Devin. 
Her father was the son of the Rev. Alexander Devin, one of the first Baptist 
ministers in Gibson county, who resided in Princeton, where he died. He 
was also a farmer Her mother was a native of Kentucky and the daughter 
of Robert Chapman, who built the first brick building on the town square of 
Princeton. He later went to Glasgow, Missouri, where he died. Nancy 
Devin Mauck had one son. Edgar, subject of this sketch, and she died May 1, 
1 85 j, w hile si ill a young w< 'man. 

Alfred .Mauck was married the second time to Rachael Lindley, of 
Orange count)', Indiana, who died in [856. His third wife was Mary A. 
Maris, of Parke count}-, Indiana, who died May 17, [893. To this union 
was born the following children: Luella, who became the wife of William 
Hargrove, of Indianapolis; Grace, who married John B. Chism, of Prince- 
ton; Mabel K., wife of Ellis A. Auburn, farmer and dealer in automobiles of 
Princeton; and Alfred M., who married Jenetta Tresloff. He is a farmer on 
the old home place in Patoka township. Alfred, the father, was connected 
with his brothers in Mt. Carmel, Illinois, where the}' carried on a thriving 
commissi* m business. 

Edgar Mauck was born in Owensville, Indiana. January 4, 1854. His 
elementary schooling was received in Princeton and he later attended a nor- 
mal school and also received instruction at other places. He w r as earl}- en- 
gaged with his father in his milling and farming interests. He was united 
in marriage April 5, 1883, to Margaret Angeline Fitzgerald, of Posey county, 
Indiana. Her father was a native of Gibson county, who moved to Posey 
county, Indiana, later to White count}-, Illinois, and again back to Posey 



GIBSON COUNTY, INDIANA. 963 

county, where he died in 1901. His wife died 111 [886. He was a fanner all 
his life. In addition to their dan-liter, who became the wife of Edj 
Vlauck, the}- had other children, namely: Florence, who married Nathan 
Montgomer) and resided in Pose) county, Indiana. Both are now di 
I mra (deceased), who was the wife of Al Robb, who lives in Missouri. 
J.izzie (1 I ), wile of Y. I'. Smith, of Platsburgh, Missouri. Janie, v 

-1 Silas Hines, and D. G., who married Man- Turpin, and they live on the 
old place in Posey county. 

After his marriage, Edgar Mauck fanned in Washington township 
three years, when he removed to Pleasanton, Iowa, where for eight vear- he 
engaged in fanning and -lock raising. \t the end of this time he returned 
to Gibson county and settled in Center township, where he has since engai d 
in stock raising in connection with farming. Up to-date in all methods per 
taining to hi 1 - chosen line of work, he has been very successful. Mr. Mauck 
ha- been a life-long supporter of 1; 1 cratic party, to whose affairs he 
ha- given much of his time, lie was elected treasurer of Gibson county in 
[908 and served four years, lie ha- tilled oilier offices within the gifl of his 
part_\. and to the discharge of such dune- ha- carried the unvarying integrity 
and kindly manner which have won for him the liking and respeel of all . 
know him 

Mr. and, Mrs. Mauck have a family of three children: Samuel F., v 
was educated in the home schools and the ECirkville state normal, became a 
teacher in the public schools and i- now superintendent of the schools of 
Bunceton, Missouri. He married Fay, daughter of W. II. Million, of Boon- 
ville. Missouri. To them has keen born one -on. William E. I tiella and 
I. aura., young daughters, remain at home, the former attending high school 
and the latter -till in the grades The religious sympathies of the family are 
with the Baptist church. He became a member of the Independent Order 
( )dd Felli iw s in 1877. 

Mr. Mauck i- one of the prominent and leading men of Gibson county, 
a man foremost in ever) movemenl which ha- as it, objeel the good of the 
community. Abreast with all questions of the hour, his generous nature is 
moved not alone by sentiment, hut directed by intelligence as well. Such a 
clean, helpful life is of inestimable value to a community and a host of warm 
personal friends bear witness to the regard in which he is held. Such -tcr- 
ling characters are '"the -alt of the earth" and by their saneness and clean- 
ness set up the standard for 1 1 In living in their communities. 



964 GIBSON COUNTY, INDIANA. 

MICHAEL EISLER. 

There is perhaps no record in this volume which more clearly demon- 
strates the force of industry and honesty in the affairs of life than does the 
life history of the late Michael Eisler. Almost every civilized country on 
the face of the globe has sent its representatives to Indiana, but there is no 
move important or valued element in our citizenship than that which has come 
from German}'. Mr. Eisler was among the native sons of the Fatherland who 
crossed the -Atlantic to America, rinding here good opportunities which he 
improved, with the result that he became a successful man and one whose 
efforts were of great value to the community in which he lived. His birth 
occurred in Germany on < ictober 6, 1S30, and he grew to manhood in his 
native country, where he learned the trade of a shoemaker. 

Upon coming to this country he took up his abode in Princeton. Indiana, 
where he followed his trade of shoemaker, building up a large and lucrative 
business in the town and vicinity. He crossed the briny deep several years 
before the Civil war and the demand for his product was largely augmented 
by the war, with the result that he was enabled to buy a farm after the close 
of the war. He gradually added to his landed possessions until at the time 
of his death, on October 6, 1911, he owned a fine farm of one hundred and 
eighty acres of land in Center township, which was well improved and in a 
high state of cultivation. 

Although he started out with nothing, he worked earnest!} and persist- 
ently and because of the productiveness of the soil and \u^ careful and prac- 
tical manner of engaging in agricultural pursuits he was known as one of 
the most prosperous farmers of the county at the time of his death. Early 
in life he was married to Dora Rinefort, a native of German}", and she is 
still living at the advanced age of ninety-three and has good health. Mr. 
and Mrs. Eisler were the parents of two sons: John W., who was born 
November 4. [865, and lives with his aged mother and his brother on the 
old home farm. He has never married. The other son is Thomas, born 
February 6, 1867, who was married on June 24, T913. to Lizzie McDivit, the 
daughter of James and Lizzie McDivit. 

The Eisler brothers are now operating their farm of two hundred acres, 
which is owned jointly by them and their mother. The brothers are among 
the most progressive and enterprising farmers of the county and in their 
diversified system of agriculture have met with very gratifying success. The 
county has benefited by their labors because thev have raised the standard of 



GIBSON COUNTY, INDIANA. 965 

farming by the use of modern and up-to-date methods of operation. Thej 
have a fine home, excellenl barns and outbuildings, and take a great deal of 
pride in keeping their premises in neal condition. Thomas is a stockholder 
and director in the Francisco State Bank, and takes an active part in the 
management of the affairs of the bank. The brothers are both affiliated with 
the Democratic party, but have never taken an active part in politics, pre- 
ferring to devote all of their time to the care of their agricultural interests. 
They are loyal members of the Germat . heal church, and have always 

contributed liberall) of their means to the supporl of that denomination. 
They are keen and clear-headed, always busy, always careful and conserva- 
tive in financial matters, moving slowly and surely in every business trans 
action, and in all that they have done the} have so conducted themselves that 
they have won the confidence of all with whom the) come in contact. 

Michael, the father of these two worthy sons, never regretted his 
determination to come to America, for he found that its advantages had not 
been exaggerated. He was a man of strong will and marked force of char- 
acter and these elements gained him the success which made him one of the 
most substantial citizens of the county. I lis loss to the community and h\ 
liis famil) was deeply felt and it is with pleasure that we present his record 
to our reader- as that of one of our representative citizens of foreign birth, 
loyal to his adopted country, and a man whom to I now was to love. 



HARRY B. GUDGEL, M. I). 

The physician who would succeed in his profession must possess many 
qualities of head and heart not included in the curriculum of the schools and 
colleges he may have attended. In analyzing the career of the successful 
practitioner of the healing art it will invariably be found to be true that a 
broad-minded sympathy with the sick and suffering and an honest, earnest 
desire to aid his afflicted fellow men have gone hand in hand with skill and 
able judgment. The gentleman to whom this brief tribute is given fortunately 
embodies these necessary qualifications in a marked degree and by energy and 
application to his professional duties is building up an enviable reputation and 
drawing to himself a larger and remunerative practice. 

Harry B. Gudgel, M. D., was bom in Hazleton, Gibson county. Indiana. 
October 7, 1877, the son of John Franklin Gudgel, M. D., a native of Gibson 
county, born in Columbia township near Oakland City, January 29, 1849, and 



966 GIBSON COUNTY, INDIANA. 

died October 4, 1901, and Cynthia Anna (Baldwin) Gudgel, born in Gibson 
county. The father of John Franklin Gudgel was Andrew Gudgel, a native 
of Owensville, Indiana, while Andrew Gudgel's father, who was also named 
Andrew, came from Kentucky to Indiana in 1818 and located in what is now 
Gibson count)-, between Owensville and Fort Branch. Here he bought gov- 
ernment land and engaged in farming. He was a man of excellent stock and 
of unquestioned integrity. 

The family name was formerly spelled "Goodshall," the change to the 
present mode of spelling having been made many years ago. Dr. Gudgel's 
father received his elementary education in the district schools, after which 
he taught several years, and then took up the study of medicine at Oakland 
City, Indiana, with Dr. McGowan. Subsequently he attended medical college 
in Louisville, Kentucky, and then the Miami Medical College at Cincinnati, 
graduating from that institution in 1874. Upon completing his studies in 
preparation for the work of his chosen profession, he came to Hazleton, 
where he engaged in practice until his death. He was a man who took an 
active interest in public affairs, and while not an office seeker or holder, he 
took great pride in casting his vote for men and principles that stood <>n high 
moral grounds. His death, due to Bright's disease, occurred in his fifty-sec- 
ond year. 

Dr. Gudgel, the eldest of a family of five children, secured a good ele- 
mentary education in the common schools and thereafter engaged in teaching 
in Hazleton, which profession lie followed for three years. Being desirous of 
following in the footsteps <>i his worthy father, in 1893, ne entered the Med- 
ical College of Indiana, at Indianapolis. On finishing the course at this in- 
stitution, he further pursued his studies in the Louisville Medical College 
and then at the University of Illinois, graduating from the College of Phy- 
sicians and Surgeons at Chicago in 1904. With this thorough and con- 
scientious preparation for his life work, he returned to Hazleton and entered 
upon the practice of medicine, and the splendid practice which he has at 
present testifies that his efforts were not in vain. 

In 1907 Doctor Gudgel was united in marriage to Emma Horrall, of 
Washington, Daviess county, Indiana, the daughter oi S. ( >. Horrall, who 
was extensively interested in the lumber business and was well and favorably 
known throughout Indiana. 

The subject is a member of the Indiana State Medical Association and 
of the Gibson County Medical Association, while, fraternally, he has mem- 
bership in the blue lodge of the Masonic fraternity, in which he is a past 



GIBSON < Dl \ n . INDIANA. 967 

master; lie has passed through the chairs in the Independent Order of Odd 
Fellows, and is an earnest and appreciative member of the Benevolent and 
Protective Order of Elks. 



STANFORD WITHERSPt >< >N. 

An enumeration of the representative citizens of Gibson county, Indi- 
ana, would be incomplete without specific mention of the well known and 
popular gentleman whose name introduces tins sketch. A member of one of 
the old and highly esteemed families of the county and a public spirited man 
of affairs, he has stamped the impress of his individuality upon the com- 
munity and added luster to the honorable name which he hears, having always 
been scrupulously honest in all his relations with his fellow-men and leavi 
no stone unturned whereby he might benefit his own condition as well as 
that of his neighbors and friends; consequently he has long ago won the 
favor of a great number of people of Center township, where he maintains 
!n- home and business and which township he is serving as trustee. 

Stanford Witherspoon was born September _». [871, in Montgomery 
township, Gibson county, near the city of < Iwensville, and is the son of John 
L. and [Catherine 1 Scotl 1 Witherspoon, both natives of Gibson county. They 
were the parents of a family of six children, the immediate subjeel of this 
sketch being the second child in order of birth. John L. Witherspoon 

ed in farming in Gibson county all his life, his only absence being 
the three years' service he gave to his country during the dark days of the 
sixties as a member of Company .\, Fifty-eighth Regiment Indiana Volunteer 
Infantry. 

Stanford Witherspoon received his early education in the district 
schools of his native county and from the time he was quite a young bov he 
assisted his father in carrying on the work of the farm, llis mother died 
when he was seventeen years of age and for five years thereafter he remained 
under the paternal roof. On August 26, [894, he was united in marriage 
with Nora Stevens, daughter of I'.. Ik and Julia I Reavei | Stevens, the former 
a native of Warrick county and the latter of Gibson county. To their mi 
have been horn two children, namely: Glen 1'.. horn June 26, [896, and 
now in the second year of high school; and Hazel, horn June jo. [896, ami 
in the first year of high school. 

Until about three years ago, Air. Witherspoon was ei n ing, 



968 GIBSON COUNTY, INDIANA. 

when he removed his famih to the town of Francisco, Gibson county, and 
engaged in the hardware business. He has been eminently successful in this 
business venture and is the owner of the fine new building in which his busi- 
ness is located. He is also the owner of various pieces of residence prop- 
erty about town and by his success shows what steady determination and 
effort rightly directed can accomplish. 

Mr. Witherspoon gives his political support to the Republican party, in 
the affairs of which he always evinces a keen interest, and in 1908 he was 
elected trustee of Center township, Gibson county, on that ticket and is still 
in office today. The religious sympathies of the family are with the Meth- 
odist Episcopal church, of which Mr. Witherspoon is a member, and to the 
furtherance of whose interests he gives of his time and mean'-. 

Mr. Witherspoon stands high in public estimation by reason of the 
upright life he has led and through his genial and kindly nature he has made 
for himself a warm place in the estimation of those who know him best. 



WILLIAM MONTGOMERY. 

The biographies of enterprising men, especially of good men, are in- 
structive as guides and incentives to others. The examples they furnish of 
patient purpose and steadfast integrity strongly illustrate what it is in the 
power of each to accomplish. Some men belong to no exclusive class in life; 
apparently insurmountable obstacles have in many instances awakened their 
dormant faculties and served as a stimulus to carry them to ultimate renown. 
The instances of success in the face of adverse fate would seem almost to 
justify the conclusion that self-reliance, with a half chance, can accomplish 
an)- reasonable object. The gentleman whose life history is herewith out- 
lined was a man who lived to good purpose and achieved a splendid success. 
By a straight f < irward and commendable course he made his way to a respect- 
able position in the business world, winning the hearty admiration of the 
people of his county and earning a reputation as an enterprising, progressive 
man of affairs which the public was not slow to recognize and appreciate. 

William Montgomery was born on May 8, 1840, on the old Montgomery 
homestead in Patoka township, Gibson county, Indiana, the son of Green B. 
and Eliza (Fitzgerald) Montgomery, natives of Kentucky and Indiana, re- 
spectively. Green B. Montgomery came at an early date to Gibson 
county, Indiana, where he obtained a tract of wild land, making his 



GIBSON COUNTY, INDIANA. 969 

first home in the midsl nse forest, which then covered this section of 

the country, lie cleared a small spot and then erected a rude log cabin, which 
served him for a home until he was able to erect a more commodious and at- 
tractive home. Mr. Montgomery was a farmer, and spent the rest of his life 
actively engaged in the operation of this farm until his death, which oc- 
curred there. His wife died in Princeton. To him and his wife were born 
the following children: James, who was a farmer in Patoka township, but is 
now deceased, married Nancy Griffin; John 11.. who was a farmer near White 
Church. I'atoka township, and was three times married — first to Sarah Per- 
kins second to Rebecca Pritchett and third to .Maggie Barnett; William B., 
the immediate subject of this -ketch; Parmelia, who married, first, Sandison 
Emberton, and then Joseph T. Wood.-, of Princeton, Indiana; Richard, a 
retired fanner of Princeton, who was a veteran of the Civil War, serving in 
the Eightieth Regiment, Indiana Volunteer Infantry; Martha, the wife of 
L. Olmstead of I'atoka township; Willis, deceased, who married Elizabeth 
Faulkner, deceased; Thomas, the fifth child in order of birth, is a farmer 
in I'atoka township, and married Cordelia McDowell; Victoris, the wife of 
Robert Corn; Nora, deceased, who was the wife of Charles Florica, 
Arkansas. 

illiam Montgomery received a limited education in the schools of his 
boyhood place, and his early years were characterized by hard, strenuous labor 
in assisting his father to clear and improve the home farm. However, he was 
not to be discouraged by the lack of educational opportunities, but, being 
naturally of a studious disposition and ambitious to learn, he applied himself 
closely to all the books obtainable and eventually became a well-informed 
man on general subjects. He lived at home until his marriage in 1869, when 
he located in I'atoka township on the farm where bis widow and son now 
live. Here he applied himself closely to agricultural pursuits during the re- 
mainder of his life and achieved a splendid success, lie was readily rec 
nized as an enterprising and progressive agriculturist, the peer oi anj of his 
contemporaries. He was not selfish in his interests, but was aliv ery- 

thing that concerned the welfare of the community, giving his earnest sup- 
port to every movement which promised to be of material benefit to his fel- 

. Mr. Montgomery had an honorable war history, having enlisted in 
1861 as a private in Company I'.. Sixty-fifth Regiment Indiana \ In- 

fantry, and serving his country faithfully about four years. 

On March 31. [869, Mr. Montgomery married Anna J. Wood-, of Lynn- 
ville, Warrick county, Indiana, daughter of James and Jennie (Bigham) 



97° GIBSON COUNTY, INDIANA. 

Woods. James Woods was the son of David and Esther (Witherspoon) 
Woods, and was born in Patoka township, going to Warrick county, Indiana, 
for several years and back again to Princeton. In 1S51 he located again in 
Princeton and engaged in the mercantile business, eventually locating on a 
farm southwest of that city, where his death occurred, his widow dying in 
Princeton. They were members of the United Presbyterian church and were 
the parents of ten children: Mary, deceased, married David Pierce; Margaret 
became the wife of Richard Riggs, of Princeton; Thomas H., deceased, was 
a member of the One Hundred and Thirty-sixth Regiment, Indiana Volunteer 
Infantry, and after four weeks' service, died and was brought home for bur- 
ial; Anna J., wife of the subject of this sketch; Catherine, deceased, was the 
wife of William C. Daily; Frank is a farmer near King*s Station in Patoka 
township in this county, and married Mary Boyle; Gilbert died unmarried; 
Louisa, deceased, was the wife of William Hanks; John B., a merchant at 
Princeton, married Alary C. Planna. 

To Mr. and Mrs. Montgomery were born ten children, namely: Charles 
P., who is employed in the Southern railway shops at Princeton, and married 
Amy Sherry, and has two children, Florence and Lillie; Mary Dell became 
the wife of Charles Knight, of I 'atoka township, and they have one son. 
Virgil; James died at the age of nine years; Elmer Walter, a farmer in 
Oklahoma, married Stella M. Brown; Clarence died at the age of three 
months: Jennie is the wife of William Blemker, a car repairer in the railroad 
shops at Princeton, and has two sons, Ralph and Jesse; Arthur is single, and 
remains at home with his mother; Maggie is the wife of Walter Arburn, a 
farmer near Princeton, and has tour children, Darwin. Nola, Roy and 
Thelma ; Ross is a lemon grower at Santa Paula, California; Fred, who is 
a ranchman at Santa Paula, California, married Bessie Woods, and has one 
child. Hazel Elenora. 

Politically, William Montgomery gave life-long support to the Republic- 
an party, in the success of which he was deeply interested, though he was 
never an aspirant for public office for himself. His death occurred on De- 
cember l8, 1896, after a life of earnest efforts characterized by strictest 
integrity, and his death was deeply mourned by all who knew him. He has 
been for many years a prominent, substantial and influential citizen of his 
community, who always stood for the best things in the community, and 
whose influence was ever on the side of right. Though devoting the major 
part of his time and attention to the development of his own interests, he 
never allowed the pursuit of wealth to warp his kindly nature, but pre- 



gibson cor x rv, i x i >i \ x \ . 97 1 

served his faculties and the warmth of his heart for the broadening and help- 
ful influence of life, being to the cud the kindly, genial friend and gentleman 
whom it was a pleasure to meet. Mrs. Montgomery is a woman of line per- 
sonal character, possessing to a notable degree thos< womanly graces which 
win and retain friendship, and is highly respected throughout the community 
in which she has for so many years resided. 



JAMES A. WESTFALL. 



The student interested in Gibson county, Indiana, dues not have to carry 
his investigation far into its annals before learning that James A. VVestfall 
has lung been an active and leading representative of its agricultural interests 
and that his labors have proven a potent force in making this a rich farming 
region. Through several decades he has carried on fanning, gradually im- 
proving his valuable place, and while he has prospered in this, he has also 
found ample opportunity to assist in the material development <>\ the county, 
and his co-operation has been of value for the general good. 

James A. Westfall was burn in Harrison county, Indiana, about ten 
miles west of Corydon, on December t. 1838, the sun of Stephen and Mar- 
garet (dinger) Westfall. The latter, who was a daughter of William Ken- 
die, of Butler county, Kentucky, was born between Knoxville and Nashville, 
easl Tennessee, and her first husband was John (.dinger. Stephen Westfall was 
reared in Kentucky ami was there married, and became one of the pioneer 
settler-. 1 if Harrison county, Indiana, his first home bei all timbi i i 

where he erected a log cabin, which was later succeeded by a more comforl 
able residence. Here he cleared and improved the farm, which he developed 
into one of the best of the locality, and lived there the remainder of his life, 
his death occurring on October 26, (875, at the age of eighty 
months and twelve days. His wifi m < Ictober 27, 1888, aged ninety-two 

years, seven months and twenty-one days. The father had followed farming 
all his life: had become well-known thro of the -1 

was highly respected by all who knew him. lie and his wife were member-, of 
the l 1 1 d Brethren church. lie was a Whig in politics in early life and later 
identified himself with the Republican party. 

Stephen Westfall was married to Mrs. Margaret (Kendle) 'dinger and 
to this 1 addition n* James A., with whom this sketch deals, were 

born the following children: Lenora, the wile of Peter Hottle, who died De- 



97 2 GIBSON COUNTY, INDIANA. 

cember 10, 1848, at the age of twenty; William H., who died on May 25, 
1863, at tne a & e of forty years, one month and twenty-eight days, married 
Sarah Lowden; Matilda, who was the wife of Peter Hottle, died November 
24, lyio; Nancy, who was the wife of Frederick Martin, died on September 
4, 1913, at the age of seventy-nine years, nine months and twenty-one days; 
Hiram L., who married Mary Tichenor, and died on July 21, 1866, at the 
age of thirty-six years, seven months and twenty-one days; Sophia, the wife 
"i John Brown, died February 15, 1871, aged forty-four years, three months 
and one day; Julia, the wife of a Mr. Daniels, died on February 9, 1870, aged 
forty-four years, three months and seventeen days. By her first marriage, 
.Mrs. Westfall had three children: Flizabeth, who died March 17, 1841, aged 
two years; Mary, who was the wife of John Brown, and died January 18, 
1N44. at the age of twenty-nine years, and Margaret, the wife of Joseph Cole, 
who died July 18, 1854, at the age of thirty-eight. Stephen Westfall, the 
father of James A., died October jo, 1875. at the age of eighty years, seven 
months and twelve days. 

James A. Westfall, the immediate subject of this sketch, is the only one 
hi his family now living. He attended the old log school in Harrison county 
in his youth, his educational opportunities having been limited. He lived on 
the home farm until 1865, when he was married, when he came to Patoka 
township and engaged in farming, renting land for several years. In 1875 
he bought his present farm in Patoka township, known as the old Ayres 
place, which is comprised of ninety-seven and one-half acres of splendid land, 
which he has improved and maintains in a fine slate of cultivation. He has 
made many valuable ami permanent improvements on the place, and here 
carries on a diversified system of agriculture, raising all the crops common to 
this locality. He also gives some attention to live stock, raising shorthorn 
and llolstein cattle. Duroc Jersey Red and Poland China hogs, and a good 
grade of horses. He exercises the closest personal supervision over every de- 
tail of his farm work, and the attractive and comfortable residence, commodi- 
ous and well-arranged barns, good outbuildings and the general condition of 
the fields indicate him to be a man of excellent taste and sound judgment. 

On October 26, 1865. Mr. Westfall was married to Eliza E. Cole, of 
Crawford county, Indiana, a daughter of David and Mary Cole, who were 
natives of Harrison county, Indiana, and were farming folks, and lived in 
that locality throughout their entire lives. In early days Mr. Cole had been 
a tlatboat man on the Ohio river, having transported much Indiana produce 
to New Orleans and other southern river ports. To Mr. and Mrs. Westfall 



BSON COUN \\ . IM.I \X.\. 973 

have been born four children: Nettie J., at home; Orus M., a farmer in 
Patoka township, who married Oma Gambriel, and they have three children, 
Grace. Roy and Ralph; Lowell R., a farmer in Patoka township, married 
Miss .McCarthy, and they have two children, Harvey and George; Irene is at 
In ime with her parents. 

Politically, the Republican party has always claimed Mr. Westfall's sup- 
rt, while religiously, he and his family are members of the Cumberland 
Presbyterian church, to which they give earnest support. Personally. Mr. 
Westfall is friendly and wins and retains friends without effort, for he is at 
all times a gentleman, obliging, unassuming and honest in his dealings with 
his fellow men. His life has been one of unceasing industry and persever- 
ance, and the systematic and honest methods which he has followed have won 
for him the unbounded confidence and regard of all who have formed his ac- 
quaintance. 



A \RON TRIPPET. 



Agriculture has been the true if man's dominion on earth ever 

since the primal existence of labor and has been the pivotal industry that has 
controlled, for the most part, all the fields of action to which his intelligence 
and energy have been devoted. Among this sturdy element of Gibson county 
vhose labors have profited alike then and the community in which they 

live is the gentleman whose nan rs at the bead of this -ketch, and in 

view of the consistent life lived by the subject, all of which has been passed 
within the borders of this county, it is particularly lining thai thi 
short record of bis career be incorporated in a book of this nat 

Aamn Trippet, an enterprising citizen, highly successful farmer and 
vice-president of The Citizens' State Bank, Hazleton, Indiana, was born in 
Gibson county, Januar) 3, 1845, tne son '" Alexander and Nancy (King) 
Trippet. Bol this county, the father comii 

the oldest families here. All bis life he 1 iged in general farming and 

died in [866. Alexander Trippet and wife were the p children, 

of whom the immediate subject of this sketch was the third child in order of 
birth. 

When a youth, Aaron Trippel received such education as it was possible 
to obtain in the early schools of the county, but wa- somewhat handicapped in 
bis attendance owing to his ser needed on the home farm. He 



974 GIBSON COUNTY, INDIANA. 

remained under the parental roof until reaching his twenty-second year, when 
he was united in marriage with Susan Robb, daughter of David and Delila 
(Decker) Robb, both natives of Gibson county. To this union have been 
bora eleven children, four of whom still remain with the parents, namely: 
Aaron, Florence, May and Eunice. !va lives in Hazleton, as does also Dora, 
wife of William F. Cassidy. David is engaged in the lumber business at 
Memphis, Tennessee, and. Sanford resides in Princeton, where lie is engaged 
in the practice of law. Lillie is the wife of Alonzo E. Morrison, a farmer of 
Gibson county, and Stella, who married Wallace Harris, resides in Patoka. 
Mr. Trippet has been desirous that all his children receive a good education 
and thus they have been well lilted [> i cope with the problems of life. 

At the time of his marriage, Mr. Trippet was the owner of seventy acres 
i if fine land in White River township, Gibson county, where he carried on 
general farming, and so well d I hi do tin-, -bowing such unusual ability, that 
he was able to add to his holdings from time to time until he new- stands 
possessed of over eight hundred acres of excellent land. lie still carries on 
general farming, giving especial attention, perhaps, t<> the raising of fine 
strains of live stuck. In addition to his duties as an agriculturist, he some 
time ago became identified with the affairs of The Citizen's State Bank of 
Hazleton, and fills the office of its vice-presidency. Early in life, Mr. Trip- 
pet became an ardent advocate of the principles of the Democratic party and 
has ever been active in its support. 

Mr. Trippet is a man of forceful temperament, possessing untiring 
energy and line discrimination. It is needless to add that be is highly re- 
spected by all who know him throughout the locality where be lives. In all 
the relations of life he has been found faithful to every trust, and because 
of bis sterling worth, uncompromising integrity, courteous manner and 
kindly disposition, he has won and retains the warm regard of all with whom 
he associates, the latter including the verv best people of the count v. 



JAMES W. BRUNER. 

That life is the most useful and desirable that results in the greatest 
good to the greatest number, and though all do not reach the heights to which 
they aspire, yet in some measure each can win success and make life a 
blessing to his fellow men; and it is not necessary for one to occupy eminent 
public position to do so. for in the humbler walks of life there remains 



• .I bsi '\ i in n r\. ixdlan. \. 975 

much good Id be accomplished and many opportunities for one to exercise 
talents and influence which in some way will touch the lives of those with 
whom we come in contact, making them brighter and better. In the list of 
Gibson county's successful citizens the subject of this review has long oc- 
cupied a prominent place. In his career there is much that is commendable 
and his life forcibly illustrates what a life of energy can accomplish when 
plans are rightly laid and actions governed by right principles, noble aims and 
high ideals. 

James W. Bruner is well known throughout Gibson county, where he 
was born on < >ctober 7. [862, am! where his entire life has been passed lie 
is die Mm ni John C. and Sarah (Melton) Bruner, both of whom were na- 
tives nt this county. The father's family were among the pioneers of the 
county and he himself passed his life within its borders engaged in ag 
cultural work. James W. Bruner was the sixth child in a family of nine 
children and when young attended the school known t> of the older 

citizen- of the county a- the Deckard school. This was the only school he 
ever attended and his opportunities fur an education were rather limited, fin- 
al the age of twelve, his father died, leaving the mother with heav) responsi- 

From that time, James \Y. assisted his older brothers in the operal 
of the hi niie farm and while -till quite a young man, the death of his ei 
brother William made it necessary fur him to take charge, lie assumed the 
duty which thus fell upon him and for a number of years continued to oper- 
ate his mother's farm. .Mr. Bruner is now residing "ii his one hundred and 
eighty-four acre farm in White River township, Gibson county, where he 
literal fanning and stock raising and the general air of prosperity 
all about the place bespeaks the untiring energy and up-to-date methods em- 
ployed by the owner. Mr. Bruner has business interests aside from the opera- 
i of his farm, being one of the principal stockholders in the Patoka Na- 
tional Bank, where he also tills a place on the board of directors. Mr. limner's 
business methods have ever been such as to win the confidence and respect oi 
all with whom lie came in contact and he is well worthy the prominence he 
ha- gained through his own endeavor. 

Mr. Bruner has been twice married, his first wife being Susan < ',. Crow 
tier, with whom he was united in marriage January 15. C896. To their union 
were horn four children, nameh : Aha R., Edith M.. Ralph J. and John \\ . 
all of whom reside at home. Tin- present Mr- Bruner was Carrie Denton, to 
whom Mr. Bruner was married April _». [907. She is a daughter of S. D. 
and Matilda V Denton, both natives of the Hoosier -'.ate. and to Mr. Bruner 
by his second w i i'e ha e been horn two children. Lois D. and Ri ibert. 



GIBSON COUNTY, INDIANA. 

Politically, Mr. Bruner gives his loyal support to the Democratic party, 
in whose affairs he has always taken a keen interest, while his church mem- 
bership is with the Cumberland Presbyterian church, to whose support he is 
a generous contributor. His fraternal affiliation is with the time-honored or- 
der of Free and Accepted Masons, being a member of Columbia blue lodge, 
No. 450. He is also a member of the Modern Woodmen of America. 

Mr. Bruner is a member of that sterling class who, by the high tour of 
their lives, raise the standard of right living, a man to whom the ambitious 
mnger generation can look as an example of what determination and 
right principles can accomplish in the face of obstacles. In every avenue of 
life's activities he has been true to every trust and is justly popular in his 
home community, always being in the forefront of the rank desiring all that 
is good and proper for those with whom he comes in contact. His years of 
service in the one location have endeared him to many friends both far and 
near. 



STORY OF PROVIDENCE SPRING, ANDERSON VILLE PRISON. 

One of the most remarkable incidents of Divine interposition in behalf 
of suffering humanity, since the days of Moses, was the occurrence in Ander- 
sonville prison during the Civil war, when a stroke of lightning brought 
forth a spring of cool refreshing water for the relief of the thousands of 
famished prisoners confined in that place. Their only supply of water had 
been such as was afforded by a murky stream of surface drainage that ran 
through the stockade, infected with germs of disease and death. In answer 
to the cry of the children of Israel, the Lord directed Moses to strike the rock 
and the water gushed forth; just as surely, it must be conceded, in answer to 
the cry of the suffering patriots in Andersonville, did an unseen hand by 
lightning stroke cause a never-failing spring of water to gush forth from the 
dry ground. In reverent acknowledgment of the source from which this favor 
came the prisoners gave it the name of "Providence Spring," and this spring 
has continued from that time and is known by that name to this day. 

While Providence Spring has a national history, it may have appropri- 
ate mention in a history of Gibson county, from the fact that some of Gib- 
son county's soldiers suffered and died in Andersonville and had personal 
knowledge of this miraculous event. Among those who had this personal 
knowledge, and is probably the only one now living to relate it, is Albert 
Mills. He was among the first to visit the scene of the lightning stroke and 



GIBSON COUNTY, INDIANA. 977 

take a drink of water. He visited the place January 8. 1885, twenty-one 
years after, and took a drink from the same spring. A photograph was taken 
at this time showing him taking a drink and showing the spring as it now 
appears. A reproduction of this picture, which Mr. Mills prizes very highly, 
appears in am >ther place in this work. 

in relating his experience and observation of this evenl at the tune of 
its occurrence, Mr. Mills says: 

"In the afternoon of July r8. [864, a day oi unusual and oppressive heat 
in the Andersonville prison pen, there occurred one of the most terrific 
thunder storms that I ever heard or witnessed. ( )ne sharp flash of lightning 
after another played among the tall pines surrounding the stockade and over 
the camp of awe-stricken prisoners. About two o'clock there appeared to be 
a temporary lull in the storm and I stepped from under the shelter of our 
weather-worn blanket and took an observation of the effects of the storm. 
I was looking in the direction of the north hillside when a blinding Hash of 
lightning like a ball of fire came direct to the earth with a deafening crash. 
I was certain that this thunderbolt had struck the earth inside of the stockade, 
and the place seemed to be near where a friend ami comrade, Frank De- 
Lashmet, a Princeton boy, of the Fourteenth Indiana, had his tent. Ap- 
prehensive of the safety of Frank, and other comrades near, I went at once 
to investigate. I found that he and others had suffered a severe shock, hut 
were not seriously affected. 

• "By this time several of the prisoners had gathered at the place and it 
was discovered that the lightning bolt had made a hole in the ground, a few 
feet beyond the 'dead line,' .and in this hole there was a spring of clear cool 
water. This hole was about two and a half feet in diameter and about two 
ft el 111 depth. 

"It was certain death for a prisoner to cross the 'dead line.' and. as this 
spring was beyond that line, tin- prisoners soon devised a plan .to procure 
water by attaching tin cups to poles, enabling them to reach the spring. \s 
one after another • f the thirsty comrades obtained a drink .if this refreshing 
water he would kneel and thank God in reverent acknowledgment -1 I 
blessing, which we all recognized as coming direct from Ilis hand. It was 
in the minds of all. 1m,., that it was a mark of Ilis infinite wisdom in causing 
this fountain of water to spring forth at this particular place, beyond the 
'dead line,' and. therefore, free from tri r any claim of private own- 

ership. When it was' found that this was a never-failing spring, the water 
(62) 



<-7 S GIBSON COUNTY, INDIANA. 

was brought into camp on the safe side of the line, by means of a trench from 
the spring leading to a large box trough, which was made by the prisoners. 
This provided an inexhaustible supply of water for the thousands who visited 
the place, day and night, to quench their thirst. 

"Since the days of my confinement there as a prisoner of war I have 
visited Andersonville twice, in 1885, and again in IQ13. On both visits I 
found refreshment of bod}- in drinking water from this spring, and a re- 
freshment of memory in recalling the miraculous way it came into existence. 
Through the efforts of the Woman's Relief Corps, assisted by the Grand 
Army, the grounds inside the old stockade have been purchased and a fine 
monument has been erected, commemorating the suffering and sacrifices of 
the prisoners confined there. A stone pavillion has been erected over Provi- 
dence Spring, suitably inscribed, preserving to future generations this me- 
morial of Divine interposition in behalf of suffering humanity." 



ARTHUR F. BROWN. 



Prominent in the affairs of Gibson county and distinguished as a citi- 
zen whose influence is extended far beyond the limits of the community hon- 
ored by his residence, the name Arthur F. Brown stands out a conspicuous 
figure among the successful farmers of the locality of which this volume 
treats. All of his undertakings have been actuated by noble motives and high 
resolves and characterized by breadth of wisdom and strong individuality 
and his success and achievements but represent the result of fit utilization and 
innate talent on directing effort along those lines where mature judgment and 
rare discrimination led the way. 

Arthur F. Brown, one of the leading young farmers of Patoka town- 
ship. Gibson county, was born on August 21, 1874. in this township on the 
old Brown homestead. His father. John L. Brown, who was born on Oc- 
tober 2, 1844, in Patoka township, was the son of David Brown, of Harrison 
county, Indiana, who was the first of the family to come to Gibson county, 
in 1840. He was twice married, first to a Miss Kendle and second to a Miss 
Strand. He obtained a tract of government land in Patoka township, which 
he cleared of the timber which covered it and there built a splendid house. 
He always followed agricultural pursuits and was known as a man of emi- 
nent respectability and well thought of in his community. His death occurred 
at Princeton. He was the father of four children, three sons and a daughter. 



GIBSOM C01 \ l'\ , INDIANA. 979 

oi whom there are now H\ living James, in Oklahoma, and John I... the 
father of the subject, who is a successful farmer in Montgomery township, 
Gibson county. John L. Brown received his education in the common schools 
of Ins home neighborh I. being reared on the paternal farmstead. On com- 
ing to mature years, he married Jane Clark, a native of Gibson county, wh 
deatli occurred in [893. John L. Brown has always followed farming a 
stock raising, and is widely known throughout this section of the country, 
making his home in Montgomery township, where he is numbered among 
the representative citizens of the community. An earnest Republican in poli- 
tics, lie has always taken a deep interest in local public affairs, though neyer 
an aspirant for public office. Religiously, lie is a member of tin- General 
Baptist church. To him and his wife were born six children, namely: Eliza, 
who became the wife of George W. Woods, of Princeton, who is represented 
in a personal sketch elsewhere in this work; Lizzie, the wife of Matthew M. 
Knowles, a farmer of Patoka township; Fronia, the wife of ( >tt Ilollis, a 
farmer and stock man of Patoka township; Eva, the wife of Harvey Mc- 
Carthy, a farmer and implement dealer of Patoka township; Arthur P., the 
immediate subject of this sketch, and Harvey O, who also operates the old 
homestead of 1 'atoka township. 

Arthur F. Brown spent his boyhood days on his father's farm and re- 
ceived his education in the common schools at Princeton. In 1896 Mr. Brown 
located on his present farm in Patoka township, which is a part of the old 
John L. Brown place, and here he has successfully conducted agricultural 
operations throughout the years, receiving splendid success as an enterprising 
and up-to-date farmer. He 1- now the owner of two hundred and forty 
acres of splendid land, all of which is entirely under cultivation, and 
returns a handsome profit to the owner. lie raises principally wheat, 1 
and hay. while in the way of !i V( _- stock he makes a specialty of shorthorn 
cattle and Poland China Im^. as well as general purpose horses. II, 
modern in his idea-, giving due attention to ever) phase of successful agricul- 
ture, and is a man to adopt new methods, where their practicability has |, 
demonstrated by experience. 

tin ^.ugusl 5, [896, VIr. Brown married Florence Tichenor, who was 
born at Owensville, Indiana, the daughter of Willis If. and Lenora (Lui 
Tichenor. the father being a successful merchant and implement dealer at 
Owensville. To Mr. and Mrs. Brown have been born two children. Eunice 
and Mildred. 

Politically, Mr. Brown has alw en stanch support to the Repub- 



980 GIBSON COUNTY, INDIANA. 

lican party, but he has been too busy in the conduct of his own affairs to as- 
pire to public office, though giving his earnest support to every enterprise 
having for its object the advancement of the local welfare. Religiously, he 
and his wife are earnest and faithful members of the General Baptist church, 
to the support of which they contribute liberally. 



LOWELL R. WESTFALL. 

Among the prosperous young farmers of Gibson county, who have built 
up a comfortable home and surrounded themselves with the comforts of life, 
none have attained a higher degree of success in as short a time as Lowell 
R. Westfall. With few opportunities except what his own efforts and those 
of his wife were capable of mastering, and with many difficulties to overcome 
he has made a success of life, and in so doing has earned the universal respect 
and esteem of all with whom he has come in contact. He is a man of tireless 
energy and strong courage and is a man whose career shows that he is an able 
and conscientious worker. As a citizen he is public spirited and enterprising 
to an unwonted degree. As a friend and neighbor he combines those qualities 
of head and heart that have won confidence and commanded respect. His 
life affords a splendid example of what an American youth, plentifully en- 
dowed with good common sense, energy and determination, can accomplish 
when accompanied by good mural principles. 

Lowell R. Westfall. the son of James and Eliza (Cole) Westfall, was 
born February 28, 1878. in Gibson county, Indiana. James A. Westfall was 
born in Harrison county, Indiana, about ten miles from Corydon, on Decem- 
ber 21. 1838, the son (if Stephen and Margaret Westfall. Stephen Westfall 
was reared in Kentucky and after his marriage became one of the pioneer 
settlers of Harrison county, Indiana, where his death occurred in 1875. at the 
age of eighty years, while his wife's death occurred on October 27. 1888, at 
the advanced age of ninety-two. James A. Westfall attended the old log 
school house in Harrison count}' and lived there until 1865, when he w-as mar- 
ried and moved to Patoka township, this county. In 1875 he bought his 
present farm in Patoka township, and he has brought this tract to a high 
state of cultivation. To Mr. and Mrs. James Westfall were born four chil- 
dren: Nettie J., who is still under the parental roof: Orus M.. a farmer in 
Patoka township, who married Oma Gambril, and has three children. Grace. 



GIBSON COUNTY, INDIANA. 981 

Roj and Ralph; Lowell R., the immediate subject of this sketch, and Irene, 
who is still at home with her parents. 

Lowell R. West fall was educated in the common schools of this county 
and worked on his father's farm until he was twenty-one years of age. 
While working on the old home farm he learned all those habits of industry 
and diligence which have brought him his success in after life. Mr. W< 
tall married early in life and his excellent wife, Mary I . Mc( 'arty, the daugh- 
ter of William and Luanda 11. ( Kendall) VTcCarty, has indeed been a most 
faithful and efficient wife and mother. Following their i on Augusl 

14, 1898. they immediately went to work on the farm and each ha- con- 
tributed very material!} to the which has been the result of their 
unit is Although Mrs. Westfall inherited ninety-one and one-half 
acres of land from her father, the) started out with nothing and even went 
into debt for the farming tools and horses with which they raised their first 
crop. Within five year- after their marriage tlu felt themselves abl< 
purchase fifty-seven more acres of land, and in less than three years they had 
it all paid tor. On this farm of .me hundred and forty-eight a half 
acres .Mr. Westfall carries on a diversified system of farming, raising all the 
crops which are peculiar to this section of the country. They have an attrac- 
tive home, good and substantial outbuildings and the farm i- well fenced and 
drained. Mr. Westfall is ver\ frank to say that his wife has been of gi 
help to him in his undertaking- and deserves a full -hare of the credit for 
their success. 

William McCarty, the father of Mr-. Westfall, died in igoo. lie was 
one of Princeton's best known and esteemed citizens. He was a member 
the linn of McCarty Brothers, liverymen, and was an energetic, careful busi- 
ness man who numbered his friends b) th . lie was a consistent mem- 
ber of the White church. I lis wife is -till living in Princeton. 

Mr. Westfall is a Republican in his political views, hut has never asked 
for any political favors at the hand- of his parly, lie ha- devoted all of his 
efforts and energies to the cultivation and improvement of his farm. Mr. 
and Mrs. Westfall are both members of the Cumberland church at Bethel, 
and are liberal supporter- of all the various activities of that denomination. 
They have two children. Harvey, horn December 7. [899, and George W., 
both of whom are still in school. 

Mr. Westfall 1- a line type of the American farmer, who has gained his 
success by the application of uprightness and integrity in all thing- which he 
undertakes. He is actuated by the highesl motives, and hi- vigorous mental 



982 GIBSON COUNTY, INDIANA. 

powers and devotion to his home have endeared him to a wide circle of 
friends and acquaintances. He is a genial and unassuming man, modest in 
his demeanor and never misses the opportunity to help a neighbor in time of 
distress. Such people as Mr. and Mrs. Westfall are a blessing to the com- 
munity in which they live. 



HENRY REMBE. 



The German nation has furnished thousands of good citizens for the 
state of Indiana and Gibson county has been fortunate to count a number of 
these as a part of her body politic. The descendants of these early German 
settlers in Indiana are characterized by the same thrift and economy which 
made their fathers the leading farmers and business men of the various com- 
munities in which they settled. Henry Rembe, one of the leading farmers 
and stockmen of Center township, Gibson county, Indiana, is a worthy 
descendant of one of Gibson county's early German settlers, and during his 
life of more than fifty years in this count)- he has so conducted himself as to 
win the commendation of his fellow citizens in every way. 

Henry Rewibe was born March 22, i860, in Princeton, Indiana, the son 
of Louis and Christiana Rembe. Both of his parents were born in Germany, 
and came to this country early in its history, first settling in Philadelphia. 
insylvania. Louis Rembe was born August 10. [825, in Sheffield. Ger- 
many, and his wife, Christiana Rembe, was born December 28, 1823, in Kron- 
stadt. Louis Rembe was a weaver by trade and followed that occupation in 
Philadelphia for a time. Later the family came to Princeton, Indiana, where 
Louis Rembe worked at different occupations. He helped to build the old 
jail, several churches and various buildings in Princeton, and always found 
plenty of work to do because he was a man who could always be depended 
upon t" give good service to his employer. About [865, Louis Rembe bought 
his first land in Center township, where Henry Rembe now lives. The 
farm was poorly improved and was only partially cleared, but he started in 
to clear and improve the place and make it remunerative. As he prospered 
he added to his land holdings and ai one time owned three hundred and four 
acres of valuable land in the county. He was a Democrat, but never aspired 
to office, while religiously all of the family have been members of the Cerman 
Lutheran church. His wife died February 26, 1004. and he passed away 



GIBSON COUNTY, INDIANA. 983 

.March [3, 1903, at the advanced age of sevi In years. Louis Rembe 

and wife were the parents of six children: Lewis, deceased; Sophia, the 
wife of Martin DeWeise, oi Francisco, [ndiana; Charles, a farme inter 

township; Henry, with whom this narrative deals; Lottie, the wife of Fred 

Logankamp, a fan I Warrington, Indiana; and William, a farmet of 

Center Lownship. 

Henn Rembe was given a very limited education, having to work from 

earliest boy] I o i the farm in order to help support the family. However, 

he has been a wide reader and close observer of men and events all his life, 
and is now one of the best informed men in his township on current events. 
I lc lived at home until his parents' death taking care of them in thi ige. 

Mr. Rembe was mat 99, to Barbara Keil, of !'■ 

the daughter of Bernhart and Elizabeth I!. (Steiner) Keil, who were nan 
of Germany. Bernard (veil was born in Merlenbach Hassen Darmstadt, 
Germany, in [825 and died February [9, 1879. His wife, Elizabeth B. Keil, 
was born in Germany in < Iberstinfield ( Iberant, Marbach Konig, Riech Widen 
burg, in [836. They were manned in Princeton on September 24, 1" 
Her parents came to America earh in the hist of th 1 ttled 

in Princeton, where Mr. Keil worked in a flouring mill, but latei I in 

farming. Later in life Mr. Keil purchased a home in Evansville, Indiana, 
and worked as an engineer and fireman in Heilman's foundry for fifteen 
years. He died in that city, leaving his widow, who is still living. Mr. and 
Mrs. Keil were the parents of three children who grew to maturity, Barbara, 
the wife of Mr. Rembe; Mary, deceased, and Kate. Mr. and Mrs. Rembe 

three children, Elizabeth ('.. Bernhart II I < 

Mr. Rembe has b& hrough conviction and interested in 

the success of his party, bul has never been an aspirant for any publii 
lie and his wife are members of the German Lutheran church and givi 
their support in such a way as to actively identify themselves with the church 
life of their community. Mr. Rembe has always been a hard worker and 
now has reached a position where he can take life easy. He has a fine new 
brick home, which is modern in ever) respect. The old home was a large 
two story building and [912. His farm 

is finely improved with nd outbuildings and he has the satisfac- 

tion of seeing his land net him a handsome return each year. He has at- 
tained to his present position solely through his own efforts and deser 
credit for the fine home which he has made for himself and family. He 1 
man of d< n tes and likes nothing better than to sit around hi- own 



984 GIBSON COUNTY, INDIANA. 

fireside. His wholesome life 111 this county and the friendly treatment which 
he has always accorded his friends and 
of all with win mi he comes into contact. 



he has always accorded his friends and neighbors has won- him the esteem 



S. R. DAVIS. 



The career of the well-known gentleman whose name forms the caption 
of this biographical review has been a strenuous and varied one, entitling him 
to honorable mention among the representative citizens of his day and gen- 
eration in the county with which his life is so closely identified. Although 
his life record is nearing its close by the inevitable fate that awaits all man- 
kind, his influence still pervades the lives of a wide circle of friends and ac- 
quaintances who delight to know him. As public official, soldier or private 
citizen, he has been always true to himself and his fellow men, and the 
tongue of calumny has never touched him. As a soldier he proved his loyalty 
to the government he loved so well on the long and tiresome marches in all 
kinds of situations, on the tented field and amid the flames and smoke of bat- 
tle, where the rattle of musketry, mingled with the terrible concussion of the 
bursting shell and the deep diapason of the cannon's roar, made up the sub- 
lime but awful chorus of death. To such as he the country is under a debt 
of gratitude which it cannot repay and, in centuries yet to be, posterity will 
commemorate their chivalry in fitting eulogy and tell their deeds in story 
and song. 

S. R. Davis, one of the few old veterans left in Gibson county, was born 
December 5. 1840, in Jefferson county, Indiana, and is the son of Benjamin 
ami Sylvia ( Royce) Davis, and to these parents were born seven children, 
of which number the subject of this sketch was the second in order of birth. 
All of these children are deceased except the subject and one sister, Mrs. 
Sarah J. Fish, of Patoka. 

S. R. Davis was reared in Jefferson and Jennings counties, Indiana, 
where he received a meager education, which was about all that was given 
in those early davs in this section. In the little old log school house which he 
attended he sat on the old wooden benches with pegs for legs; the desks were 
wide boards fixed around the edge of the wall. The school house in which 
he secured his elementary education in Jefferson county had the old-fashioned 
fire place at one end of the room. It may be that it was laboring against such 
disadvantages that has given him those qualities which have brought him 



GIBSON COUNTY. [NDIANA. 985 

success in after life. Eiis parents moved to Gibson county during the tl 
the Civil War, and a short time afterward Mr. Davis enlisted in Company G, 
One Hundred and Forty-fifth Regiment, Indiana Volunteer Infantry, and 
served for nearly one year in the army. Since he did not enlist until Febru- 
ary 4, [865, he did nol see much active service at the front, most of his time 
bein i spi n1 doing guard duty. He was mustered out of service January _• i . 
[866. After being mustered oul he came back to n county and bought 

a small farm in Center township. At this time it was largely limber land and 
lie had to go to work at once to clear up the ground in order to raise his first 
crop. I te constructed a rude log house and log barn and went to work with a 
will. After working on this farm for two years he went to Francisco, where 
he remained until January, [885, when he wenl hack on the farm and again 
engaged in its operation. In [889 >ved hack to Francisco, where he has 

since resided. 

Air. Davis was married August 31, [862, to Pris< Lewis, the 

daughter of C. R. and Maria 1 Bacon) Lewis. I on has been 

with six children, only one of whom is living, L. M. Davis, who is a telegraph 
operator and merchant at Marengo. The five children who have passed 
away are Leweldo I . Bennj O., C. R., Franklin !l. and Jesse F. 

Mr. Davis has been a life long Denim rat. and has always taken an 
active interest in politics, lie was justice of the peace for fifteen year-. [873 
until 1888, and in 1896 he was elected county commissioner of Gibson county 
on the fusion ticket. The fact that he was elected on the fusion ticket shows 
Ins remarkable popularity throughout the county. Nothing could better il- 
lustrate his sterling qualities of character, as it takes a strong character to win 
out on a fusion ticket, and his election as such shows that he has built up his 
reputation for square dealing throughout the whole county. He and his 
family are loyal and faithful members of the General Baptist church and are 
deeply interested in the various activities of that denomination. 

Mr. Davis is one of those citizens who has surrounded himself with lai 
landed and personal property. However, he has done all this by his iwn ef- 
fort-, having been compelled to starl out with practically nothing, lie has 
overcome all disadvantages and discouragements and has made an excep- 
tional success in life, and 111 his old age has the gratification of knowing that 
the community in which In has resided has been benefited by his presei 1 
His keen business ability is shown by the fact that In- has been president of 
the Francisco State Bank for nearly five years. He is one of the best known 
and highly respected farmers and business nun of the county, and has at- 



986 GIBSON COUNTY, INDIANA. 

tained this success by simple means and the exercise of the ordinary qualities 
of common sense and perseverance. His honorable life has been an inspira- 
tion to the present generation, and in the consideration of the prominent 
citizens of Gibson county, a review of his career should find a conspicuous 
place in such a biographical volume. 



THOMAS M. MAXAM. 



Self-assertion is believed by many people to be absolutely necessary to 
success in life, and there are good reasons for the entertainment of such be- 
lief. The modest man very rarely gets what is due him. The selfish, 
aggressive man elbows his way to the front, takes all that is in sight and it 
sometimes seems that modesty is a sin, with self-denial as the penalty. There 
are, however, exceptions to all rules and it is a matter greatly to he regretted 
that the exceptions to the conditions are not more numerous. One notable 
exception is the case of the honorable gentleman whose life history we here 
present, who possesses just a sufficient amount of modesty to be a gentleman 
at all times and yet sufficient persistency to win in the business world and at 
the same time not appear over bold. As a result of these well and happily 
Mended qualities Mr. Maxam lias won a host of friends in Gibson county, 
where he is well known to all classes as a man of influence, integrity and 
business ability, am! as a public official he has given universal satisfaction 
because of his strict attention to his duties. 

Thomas M. Maxam. the son of John S. and Patsy ( Mattingly) Maxam. 
was horn in Gibson county, near Maxam Station, on February 26, 1N47. 
John S. Maxam was a native of Connecticut, and his wife of Spencer count}', 
Indiana. The grandfather of Thomas M. Maxam came from New York to 
this state in the beginning of the last century, and was associated for some 
years with Judge William Prince, who was afterwards a congressman from 
this district. The grandfather settled on a farm near Princeton at Maxam 
Station, and, so the story goes, the first tree which he cut down was a sassa- 
fras from which he made a feed trough. John S. Maxam came t<> this state 
when he was seven years of age and lived on the farm which was entered by 
his father until his death in 1872. 

Thomas M Maxam was educated in the district schools of his township, 
and later took a course in music at Chicago. Following this he taught music 



:-o\ COUN FV. INDIANA. 987 

for five years, and is stil] a music composer of note. For ten years he was 
a section foreman on the railroad which ran through Gibson county, He 
has always'taken an active interest in politics, and as a Republican v 
elected trustei oi ' entei township in [904. lie filled tin- office with credit 
to himself and to the satisfaction of the community, taking an active inti i 
in the building up of the schools and the construction of highways through- 
out the township, He was also elected justice of the peace for -c\ era I terms and 
filled this important office with distinction, lie has always been known as 
a man of sterling honest\ and because of his good common sense, his couns 
have been frequentl) sought by his fellow citizens. Ilis worth as a citizen 
was recognized by President Roosevelt by appointing him postmaster of 
Francisco, in which position he has given such universal satisfaction thai he 
has held the office from the time of his appointment up to tl 

Mr. .Maxam was married mi March 29, [874, to Eliza Hiley, the dan 
ter of John and Lavina (Crist I Hiley, both of whom are natives of Indiana. 
This marriage has been blessed with seven children: .Mrs. Loretta Suhlii 
who lives on a farm in Gibson county; Adrian I [., a school teacher and attor- 
nej living at Boonville, Indiana; Mrs. Gertrude Klusmeier, who li\' 
farm in this countx-; Mrs. Estella Bruce, a resident al 
lis.-., who is at presenl principal of the high Stanley 

who married Ethel McGrew and is till at home: Fannie, the youn ■ die 

family, who graduated from the Francisco high school in the spring of 0)14. 

Fraternally, Mr. Maxam is a valued member of the Independent Order 
of Odd Fellows of Francisco, and also of the of Ben-Hur, of the same 

place. lie i- secretary of the Ben-Hur lodge at the presenl time, lie and 
his family are loyal and earnest members of the Methodist Episcopal church 
of Fra 1, and are liberal supporters of that denomination, and take 

active interesl in all the affairs of the church. 

Mr. Maxam has always been a hard worker and an industrious man, 
i result every mile post of the years he ha- passed has found him further 
advanced, more prosperous and with an increased number of friend-. In 
the community in which he has lived for so many years, hi- influence 

ong In- fellow- men and lie has earned a name for enterprise and integrity 
which justifies him being ao mong thi 1 ens 

of Gibson county. He is a straightforward, unassuming, obliging and genial 
man and enjoys the con md respeel of a wide circle of friend- and 

acquaintances throughoul the county. 



g88 GIBSON COUNTY, INDIANA. 

THOMAS H. FRENCH. 

The occupation of farming, to which the entire business life of Thomas 
H. French, one of the well known and popular citizens of Gibson county. 
has been devoted, is the oldest pursuit of a livelihood of mankind and the 
i me in which he will ever be the most independent. His name has long been 
connected with the general growth of Gibson county, of which he is a native 
and where his entire life has been passed. While primarily attending to his 
own interests, his life has been largely devoted to his fellow man, having 
been untiring in his efforts to inspire a proper respect for law and order and 
ready at all times to uplift humanity along civic and social lines. 

Thomas H. French, one of the leading farmers and influential citizens 
of White River township, Gibson county, Indiana, was born in this county on 
June 2, i860, and is the son of Lucius S. ami .Margaret (Jerauld) French, 
both of whom were natives of Gibson county. The parents of Lucius French 
were among the earliest settlers of the enmity, having come here in 1818 and 
obtained a tract of land which they cleared and converted into a homestead, 
now known as the old French farm. This was about one mile north of the 
town of Patoka. Here their sun Lucius was born and raised and in this 
same neighborhood was the family of Jerauld whose daughter, Margaret, 
Lucius French married, and they became the parents of the immediate subject 
of this sketch. Lucius French died April 17, 1886. and his wife lived until 
1903, having passed her entire life in Gibson county. Lucius French's father 
was a leading man in his community in his day, being considered one of the 
most progressive citizens. In the year 1836 he built the first two-story brick 
residence in the county and in the year 1840 lie built a large bank barn, the 
timbers of which were so heavy that it required the efforts of seventy-five 
men to raise the structure. Loth this house and barn are still standing in 
an excellent state of preservation, due to the care exercised in selecting the 
materials going into their construction, the size of the timbers much surpass- 
ing anything in use today. 

Thomas H. French was the third child in a family of nine children and 
received his schooling in the district schools of the county. When quite 
young, he commenced assisting with the work around the farm and remained 
at home until the age of twenty-six years, when he was united in marriage 
with Mary L. Daugherty on September t, 1886. She is the daughter of 
Joseph and Kate (Rhardon) Daugherty, both natives of Ireland, who had 
settled in Gibson countv a number of vears before. At the beginning: of the 



GIBSON COUNTY, INDIANA. 989 

Civil War, Joseph Daugherty enlisted-for service. To Thomas II. Ft 
and wife have been born six children, namely: Eunice, Mary, tsabell, Grace, 
Laura and Elizabeth, all of whom except Mary are a1 home, though fsabelle 
is engaged in teaching in the public schools. Mar) is the wife of Ray Watson. 

Mr. French and his family reside on his farm oi one hundred and forty 
acres of finely located land, adjoining the corporation line of the tov 
Patoka and here he engages in general farming, pa l1 attention to 

the raising' of melons for the market. In this branch of agriculture he has 
been engaged for the past twenty years, increasing hi- efforts from year to 
year, until he now has about sixty acres in melons each year and for the last 
three years he has been raising quite a number in hot beds, lie has made for 
himself quite a reputation in this line of endeavor and has been eminently 
successful. 

Politically, Mr. French gives his support to the Progressive party, 
while his religious membership is with the Presbyterian church in whose wel- 
fare he is sincerely interested. I lis fraternal affiliation is with the Tribe of 
Ben-Hur and the Modern Woodmen of America. 

Mr. French is numbered among the progressive agriculturists and public 
spirited citizens of this county and is one of the substantial men of his 
munity. Endowed by nature with strong mental powers and possessing the 
courage and energy to direct his faculties in the proper channels, he early 
became a man of resourceful capacity, as the management of his affairs testi- 
fies. He has met every issue of life squarely and his life long residence here 
has placed him high in the estimation of all who know him by reason of his 
sterling worth. 



D. H. SWAN, M. D. 



Professional success results from merit. Frequently in commercial life 
one may come into possession of a lucrative business through inheritance or 
gift, but in what are known as the learned professions advancement is gained 
only through painstaking and long-continued effort. Prestige in the healing 
art is the outcome of strong mentality, close application, thorough mastery 
of its great underlying principles and the ability to apply theory to practice 
in the treatment of diseases. Good intellectual training, thorough profes- 
sional knowledge and the possession and utilization of the qualities and at- 
tributes essential to success have made the subject of this sketch eminent in 



990 GIBSON COUNTY, INDIANA. 

his chosen calling and he stands today among the scholarly and enterprising 
physicians in a county noted for the high order of its medical talent. 

Dr. D. H. Swan, the son of Daniel H. and Ruth (Cumelsham) Swan, 
was born September 30, 1868, in Harrison county, Indiana, both of his par- 
ents being natives of that county also. His boyhood days were spent in his 
native county, where he attended the country schools and laid the foundation 
for his future career. After finishing his elementary education in Harrison 
county, he entered the Southern Indiana Normal at Mitchell, Indiana, where 
he continued his work in the higher branches. He then went to Danville, In- 
diana, and entered the Central Normal College, from which he graduated in 
1890. He had taught some before graduation, and upon lus graduation from 
the Normal School at Danville, he came to Gibson county and taught in this 
county in Washington and White River townships for six years. He was 
rapidly building up his reputation as a successful teacher, when he decided to 
leave the profession and study medicine. With this end in view he entered 
the medical college at Louisville, Kentucky, in the fall of 1896, and took the 
full four years' course in that institution, graduating in the spring of 1900, 
after which time he returned to Gibson county and opened his office for prac- 
tice at Mackey, where he remained for a period of three months. Francisco 
seeming to offer a better opportunity for advancement in his profession, he 
moved to that place in the fall of [900, and there he has continued to reside 
until the present time. Me rapidly built up a large and lucrative practice and 
was gaining a reputation for thorough and conscientious work in dealing 
with all kinds of diseases. He became a stockholder in the Stair Bank at 
Francisco, .and in 1908 he was elected president of the hank. Preceding his 
election to the presidency of the hank he served four years as trustee of 
Center township on the Democratic ticket, during which time he gave uni- 
versal satisfaction throughout the township for his excellent administrative 
qualities. At the expiration of his term of office as trustee he was induced to 
become the cashier of the bank of Francisco, but held that position for only 
one year, and in the beginning of the year iqio he resumed the practice of 
medicine and has continued uninterruptedly in the profession since that date. 

Doctor Swan was married November 8, 1898, to Florence C. Worth, the 
daughter of Charles and Caroline Worth, of Oakland City, and to this union 
have been born three children, Ruth, now a junior in the high school at Fran- 
ciseo, Jean and Gladys. Dr. Swan is one of the charter members of the In- 
dependent Order of ( )«1<1 Fellows, No. 814, at Francisco, and also a member 
of the Tribe of Ben-Hur, of the same town. 



GIBSON COUNTY, INDIANA. 991 

Doctor Swan is devoted to the noble work which his profession implies, 
and has not only earned a due reward from his efforts in a temporal way, but 
has also proven himself eminently worthy to exercise the important func- 
ts of his calling by reason of his ability, his abiding sympathies and his 
earnesl zeal in behalf of his fellow men. His understanding of the scieno 
medicine is regarded by those who know him as being broad and compre- 
hensive, and the profession and the public accord him a distinguished place 
among the practicing physicians of his" county. \s a physician, as a public 
official and as a business man, he has proven true to the trusts imposed upon 
him. In his every relation of life he h; fallen below the digniti 

true manhood, nor in any way resorted to methods that have invited censure. 



T. VV. FINCH. 



Among the families of Gibson county, Indiana, whose members have 
worthily discharged their duties to their fellows and their communities, no 
family takes higher rank than the Finches, several representatives of whom 
are today prominently identified with the business and social life of Center 
township. For manj years members of this family have stood for all that 
is best in business, educational, moral or social life and have wielded an in- 
fluence that has been potential in the development and welfare of their com- 
munity, being numbered among the enterprising and progressive citizens of 
the county. Because of the prominence which the family has enjoyed and 
the close relations they have .sustained to the welfare and prosperity of the 
locality which has been honored by their citizenship, they are eminently en- 
titled to representation in a work of the character of the one at hand. 

J. W. Finch, the son of George \Y. and Martha P. i Smith) Finch, was 
born September 11, 1N7S. in Gibson county, Indiana. His father. George VV. 
Finch, was a native of Posey county, as was his mother. Early in life he 
came to Gibson count}-, where he lived the remainder of his life on a farm 
four miles south of Francisco, near the "id Providence church. To Mr. and 
Mrs. George W. Finch were born fifteen children, twelve of whom are still 
living and the heads of families. George VV. Finch died January 20. iqto. 
and his widow passed away three days later nn Februan 
funerals being held at the same time and both being buried in the same grave. 
They would have celebrated their sixtieth wedding anniversary if they I 



992 GIBSON COUNTY, INDIANA. 

lived until 1912. They were earnest and faithful members of the Providence 
church for more than fifty years and always took an active interest in all the 
work of the church. 

J. W. Finch was the youngest child of his father's family. He received 
his education in the district schools of Gibson county and later attended the 
high school at Francisco. After finishing his education at Francisco, he 
started teaching in his home township, and taught for ten years in the 
county, in Barton, Union and Center townships. While he was engaged in 
teaching he attended Vincennes University for three years, in order to better 
prepare himself for the teaching profession. He was very successful as a 
teacher and was fast building up the reputation of being one of the best 
teachers in the county. However, the opportunity presented itself for en- 
gaging iu the banking business, and after due deliberation he decided that he 
would leave the teaching profession and go into the banking business. Ac- 
cordingly he took a business course at the Lockyear Business College at 
Evansville and entered the Francisco State Bank in July, 1900, as cashier. 
He is now a stockholder in the bank, and in addition to his banking interests 
he owns ninety-six acres of land adjoining tbe town of Francisco. He has 
called into use in his banking business the same qualities which brought him 
such excellent success as a teacher, and is already recognized as a very ca- 
pable banker. 

Mr. Finch was married on August 17, 189N, to Estella E. Strown, the 
daughter of George and Lydia A. (Bruce) Strown, and this union has been 
blessed with three children, Jessie, born June 8, 1899; Patsy, born March 29, 
1902. and Flossie, born August 1, 1904. All of these children are now at- 
tending school in their home town. 

I '< (litically, Mr. Finch has always been a Democrat, but has never taken 
a very active part in the deliberations of his party. He belongs to the Provi- 
dence Primitive Baptist church, of which his father and mother were mem- 
ber.^ for more than fifty years, and takes an intelligent interest in the affairs 
of this denomination. Mr. Finch is a splendid type of the American business 
man who is a credit to any community. With his clear head, strong arm and 
true heart, directed and controlled by correct principles and unerring judg- 
ment, he is fast winning his way, not only to pecuniary independence, but 
what is far superior, the deserving confidence and respect of those with whom 
he is brought -into contact. His residence in this community has brought him 
a large circle of warm friends and acquaintances, who esteem him because 
of his excellent qualities of character and his upright business ability. 



GIBSON COUNTY, INDIANA. 993 

GE< >RGE SCHAFER. 

Among the representative men of Francisco, Gibson county, Indiana, 
there is no one who occupies a more highly n sition than d 

George Schafer. As a self-made man he stands as a shining example 
what can be accomplished by hard, i ious work and strict attention to 

his business. The occupation of a blacksmith i ntial to the welfare 

oi any community as that of any other vocation. It is interesting to note 
that when the United State- government made treaties with the Indians 
throughoul the Northwest territory that there was always a provision for 
three separate men who were to be provided by the government; one w 
minister of the Gospel, another a teacher and the third was a bla< 
and in the welfare of the Indians, it would be hard to say that the blacksmith 
was the least important of the three. 

George Schafer, blacksmith and one of the most public-spirited citizens 
of Francisco, was burn April 4, [876, in Perry county, Indiana. His par- 
ents were llcnn and Man- (Stinehall) Schafer. his father being a native 
Germany and his mother of Perry county. When Henry Schafer first came 
to this country he located in Louisville, Kentucky, where he followed the 
trade of a blacksmith. lie is still living m Francisco and although fifty- 
eight years 1 still .able to do a good day's work at the forge. Mr. and 
Mrs. Henry Henry Schafer were the parents of eight children, seven sons and 
one daughter, the daughter dying at tin- age of sixteen years, while the 
are all living. 

George Schafer is the oldest of his father's family and was educated in 
the district ochools of i raw ford county, Indiana, and when eighteen years 
age he entered into the blacksmith 1 vith his father. Within a year. 

before he was nineteen years of age. he n Francisco in Gib inty 

and engaged in the blacksmith business for himself, and has built up a verj 
lucrative trade. He now has a new shop which is fitted out with every tu 
ern convenience which mark- th >f much larger size. In 

addition to his regular blacksmithing business he does a great amounl 
wood work, lie is endowed with much natural skill and with the addition 
his scientific study of the an of blacksmithing he i- becoming "tie of the best 
known blacksmiths in this section of tin- si 

Mr. Schafer was married Jul) 24. is;-, to Amanda Brothers, daughter 
of David and Lucy 1 Rodger- 1 Brothers, an- - union there have bi 

3) 



994 GIBSON COUNTY, INDIANA. 

born three children: Horace, born March 2, 1902; Edward, horn July 22, 
1905, and Clara, horn July 24, 1007. Air. ami Mrs. Schafer are giving their 
children every advantage which the modern schools can furnish them and 
intend that they shall have the best practical education possible. Mr. Schafer 
is a citizen who takes an interest in the educational and moral affairs of his 
town to a marked degree. At present he is a member of the town hoard and 
his influence is always on the right side of public questions. He became a 
charter member of the Independent < »rder of Odd Fellows, No. 814, when 
it was etsablished at Francisco. Politically, he is a Democrat, but never 
lias had the time to take an active part in politics. Mr. and Mrs. Schafer 
are leading quiet and highly respected lives and are highly honored and 
esteemed by their neighbors and friends for the praiseworthy lives they are 
living. They have a very pleasant home in Francisco, where they dispense 
hospitality to an ever-increasing circle of friends. 



JOHN H. SHIPP. 

Whether the elements of success in life are innate attributes of the 
individual, or whether they are quickened by a process of circumstantial de- 
velopment, it is impossible to define, yet the study of a successful life, what- 
ever the field of endeavor, is none the less interesting and profitable by rea- 
son of the existence of this uncertainty. So much in excess of those of suc- 
cesses are the records of failures or semi-failures that one is constrained to at- 
tempt an analysis in either case and to determine the measure of possession 
in an approximate way. Studying the life history of the well-known teacher 
and citizen of Gibson county whose name forms the caption of this sketch 
we find in this young man many qualities which always gain definite success 
in any career properly directed. It is very evident that he has lived a life of 
usefulness and one which has resulted in a life of good to others as well, and 
it is safe to predict that the future holds much in store for him. 

John H. Shipp, the superintendent of the Francisco schools, was born 
August 25, 1885. in Center township, Gibson county, Indiana, the son of 
David and Mary ( Skelton) Shipp. his father's birth having occurred in Cam- 
bridge, England, while his mother was a native of this county. David Shipp 
came to this country when he was sixteen years of age and settled near Max- 
am's Station, in this county, and has followed agricultural pursuits all his 



GIBSON COUNTY, INDIANA. 995 

life. His death occurred ( Ictober 23, [912, his wife having passed away - 
era! years before on April 5, 1901. 

John S. Shipp was educated in the district schools of his county and 
then, unlike most countr) boys of his ti 1 inished a In 

in the town of Francisco. Tin's gave him a taste for m. ax* learning, so he en- 
rolled in the State Normal School at Terre Haute. Indiana, from which he 
later graduated, lie also attended Oakland City College and Chicago Uni- 
versity at different tunes in order to equip himself better for an educational 
career. His first teaching experience was in Center township in his home 
County, and- later he was ottered a position in the Francisco high school, 
which he filled very acceptably, and for the past five years he has been the 
superintendent of the school from which he graduated only a few vears ago. 
It is often said that a prophet is without honor in his mtry, and it 

is oftentimes true of teachers as well. Tin/ re fore, it is to the credit of Mr. 
Shipp that he is having such fine success in his own home school. During the 
time that he has had charge of the Francisco school the attendance in high 
school has increased over one hundred per cent, and the achers have 

been increased from five to eight in number. When he look charge of this 
school there was not even a certified course given, but he has brought the 
work up to such a standard that the state board of , 1 it 

and have recently granted it a commission, which carries with it the right of 
its graduates to enter any college in the state without an examination. 

Mr. Shipp was married November 2, 1908, to Thelda H. Loveless, the 
daughter of Joseph If and Lucretia (Hume) Loveless. Joseph Loveless was 
born September 5, 1865, in Like county, the son of James K. and Eliza 
(Rainey) Loveless, both of whom were natives of this state. As a young 
man Mr. Loveless worked in a coal mine for a few years, and then engaged in 
the mercantile business, and is still conducting a general store at the town of 
Francisco. Mr. and Mrs. Loveless were married November 12. 1886, his 
wife being the daughter of Cornelius and Elizabeth Hume, both natives of 
Kentucky. Mr. and Mrs. Loveless are the parents of five children. Mrs. 
Thelda Shipp; Ray V., of Francisco; Mrs. Jennie Chappel, of Francisco; 
Clifton and Powell. Mr. and Mrs. Loveless are active members of the Gen- 
eral Baptist church of Francisco, and Mr Loveless has been superintendent 
of the Sunday school at that place for the past thirty years. To Mr. and Mrs 
John 11. Shiiip has been born our daughter, I la/el Naomi, who is now- de 
ceased. 

Professor Shipp is a Republican in politics and has been interested in 



99^ GIBSON COUNTY, INDIANA. 

the various political issues which have been advocated by that party. His po- 
sition as superintendent of the schools has precluded him from taking- a 
very active part in politics, although he is one of the best informed men in 
his county on political problems. He and his wife are consistent members of 
the Methodist Episcopal church of Francisco and contribute liberally of their 
means to its support. He is also a member of the Independent Order of Odd 
Fellows. Lodge No. 814, at Francisco. Mr. Shipp's professorship here 
has been a busy and useful one and his name is respected by all who have 
had occasion to come into contact with him, or who have knowledge of his 
life's work. He has dignified and honored his profession, for his life has 
been one of consecration to his calling and well does he merit a place of honor 
in a volume touching upon the lives and deeds of those who have given the 
best of their time and talent to the betterment of mankind. 



JAMES R. MORROW. 



No sturdier or belter citizens have ever come to our shores than have 
those sons of Ireland who have made their homes in this country. Fortunate 
indeed is the community which receives these people and incorporates them in 
her body politic, for wherever they are found they are always industrious, 
upright and willing to do their share toward the advancement of the material 
and moral welfare of the community in which they reside. In the old 
country they learned those habits of industry which insure success and upon 
their coming to this country they never fail to bring along those same habits 
which made them independent in their old 'mine. The United State-- have 
no better citizens than these sons of Erin. Gibson county is fortunate in 

having some of these g 1 people and among them James R. Morrow, the 

subject of this sketch, occupies a prominent part in the civic life of the com- 
munity which is honored by his residence. 

James R. Morrow, the son of Irish parents, was born in Center town- 
ship, Gibson county. Indiana, on Januan 1. 1S70. His parents, James and 
Mary Jane (Speer) Morrow, were both born in Ireland, and came to this 
state about 1850 and located in Center township, in this county. James 
Morrow followed the occupation of a farmer all his life, and at his death, 
which occurred in May, 1010, he had become one of the most prosperous 
farmers in this locality. To Tames Morrow and wife were born nine chil- 
dren. James R. being the youngest of the number. 



M'V, INDIANA. 997 

Janies R. Morrow was educated in the district tbor- 

hood, and his boyhood was spout in performing all those multitudinous duties 
which fall to the lot of the average farmer's boy. lie attended school in the 
winter season and assisted on his father's farm As a young 

man he set for himself a definite goal, and his present position in the circles 
of his community show that he has not lain Ted in vain, lie has realized 
that success means hard work and honest endeavor, and throughout all of 
his career he has never failed to p this fact. With th< 

ties ever in mind he has gradually added to his possessions until he now has 
a line farm of two hundred and ninety acres in this township. In addition to 
hi-; agricultural interests he is prominentl) identified with the I i State 

Bank, of which he is a director and vice president at the present time. Tie 
built a beautiful new h mn of ten rooms in 191 1. It is equipped with gas 
lights and a hot water system, lie has made all of the improvements which 
stand on his farm today. The house is finished in oak which came from the 
farm. 

Mr. Morrow was married on December i_>. [895, to Lettie Arnold, 
Pike county, this state, and to this union have been burn three children: 
James L. and Mary II.. who are both in the high school at Princeton, In- 
diana, and Samuel R., the youngest, who is still in the 1 schools. Mr- 
Morrow lake- a very active interest in the education of his children and in- 
tends that they shall receive the best which can lie given them. He is a firm 
believer in education and realizes that in the life of the pn \ an edu- 
cation is a valuable asset. 

In politics Mr. Morrow was a Progressive and allied himself with that 
partv in the fall of [912 lie votes for the best men regardless of their 
party affiliation- lie is well informed on all the public questions of the day 
and is an interesting conversationalist on the current topics before the people. 
He and bis family are faithful and earn the Presbyti 

church and are interested in the various activities which are promoted by 
that denomination. Mr. Morrow attributes his success to his industry and 
strict integrity, feeling that with tialities he would never have 

attained the position winch he holds today. H n life 

is such that he can now devote hi- tune and energies to helping the 
munity at large, and accordingly, every movement which has for its object 
the bettering of tin- social and moral life of the community finds in him a 
and s\ mpathetic su] The sti ch men as 

he should he an incet the young men whose fortunes and destinies 



99§ GIBSON COUNTY, INDIANA. 

are yet to be determined. The example of any farmer who can accumulate 
a farm of two hundred and ninety acres under modern-day conditions is 
one which is well worth studying', it is a pleasure to record the life of such 
a citizen, and the province of a volume of this nature is to set forth for 
coming generations the lives of men who have been as important factors as 
the subject of this sketch in the development of the community in which 
they live. 



JACKSON DEPRIEST. 

It is proper to judge of the success of a man's life by the estimation in 
which he is held by his fellow citizens. They see him at his work, in his 
family circle, in the church, in the public forum, they observe the operation 
of his code of morals, witness how he conducts himself in all the relations of 
society and civilization, and are therefore competent to judge of his merits 
and his demerits. After a long course of years of such daily observation 
it would be out of the question for his neighbors not to know his worth. 
In this connection it is not too much to say that the subject of this sketch has 
passed a life in his township which has been marked by strict attention to 
business and a modicum of success which indicates that he has directed his 
energies along the lines of honest endeavor. As a private citizen and public 
official he has been accorded definite recognition by the citizens of his town- 
ship, being now the township assessor, in which position he is rendering 
efficient and satisfactory service. The mere fact that any citizen holds an 
office by virtue of the suffrages of his fellow citizens is a sure indication of 
the esteem in which he is held by the community. 

Jackson Depriest, the fourth of seven children, was born July 23, 1858, 
in Barton township, Gibson county, Indiana, the son of \\ illiam and Dicy V 
(McCleary) Depriest, both of whom were natives of this county also. 
William Depriesl was one of the earl)' settlers of Gibson count}', and went 
through all the struggles incident to the pioneer farmer of the early days of 
Indiana. 

Jackson Depriest was educated in the district schools of his native 
county and performed all the multitudinous duties which fall to the lot of 
the ordinary boy on the farm. He has spent all of his life with the excep- 
tion of the last few years, upon the farm and has built for himself a reputa- 
tion of being one of tin most progressive farmers of his township. On his 



GIBSON COUNTY, INDIANA. 999 

well improved farm oi indred and thirty acres he has excellent buildings 

and has broughl it to a high -tan- n cultivation. He carries on a divei 
system of fanning, raising all the crops whirl) are common to this section 
oi the state. In addition to his general crops, he also raises considerable live 
stuck. 

Politically. Mr. Depriest has been a life-long Democrat and has been 
rewarded by his party by being elected township assessor, a which he 

is now holding to the entire satisfaction of the citizens of the township. Pre- 
vious to his election as township assessor, he hail been deputy for two years, 
so that he went into the office well qualified and equipped to discharge the 
duties of thai impi irtant pi isition. 

Air. Depriest was married August 2, 1N70. to Ellen Colinger, and to 
this union have been born six children. Mrs. Delta King, who lives on a farm 
in Center township, has one child. Fay; Mrs. Stella Mahoii. whose husband 
is a farmer in Center township; < Itto, who is married and lives in Princeton, 
and has one child. Lloyd; Homer, who lives on his father's farm in Center 
township. Mrs. Depriest is a faithful and earnest member of the Regular 
Baptist church of Providence, and contributes liberally to the various ; 
ities of the church. They are firm believers in the great amount of. 
which can be accomplished by the church and lend themselves willinglj to 
all movements which have for their purpose the bettering of thi civic 

and social life of the community in which they live. They have a hospitable 
home and number their friends and acquaintances by the score. Mr. De 
priest has never allowed the multitudinous activities of his life to warp his 
kindly nature but has preserved his warmth of heart for the broadening 
helpful influences of human life, being a kindly, genial man and a gentleman 
w hum it is a pleasure t< i meet. 



WILLIAM A. WHEELER. 

Among the old and represi families of Gibson count) there are 

hold a mure prominent place than does the Wheeler family, i 
ing to this county early in its history, they have seen it emerge from a 
primitive wilderness to a farming community which is second to none in the 
state. They were among those who drained its swamps, cleared 
and built the highways which connect the line farms scattered throughout 



IOOO GIBSON COUNTY, INDIANA. 

the length and breadth of the county. They are of that class of early settlers 
who had to battle with the ague and miasma of the swamps and all of those 
ills which surrounded the farmer of pioneer times. Too much credit cannot 
be given these sturdy forefathers of ours who have made it possible for us 
to enjoy the comforts which surround us on every hand today. A scion of 
one of these pioneer families is William A. Wheeler, and one of the most 
prominent farmers of the county. 

William A. Wheeler, son of Charles W. and Mary A. | Karn ) Wheeler, 
was born September 4, 1869. in Gibson county, Indiana. Charles W. Wheeler 
was a native of this county, while his wife came from Crawford county, In- 
diana. Charles Wheeler was one of the earliest settlers of the county and 
has been engaged in farming all Ins life, lie is still living and resides near 
Princeton, this count}'. Air. and .Mrs. Charles W. Wheeler were the parents 
oi nine children, the subject of this sketch being the second in order of birth. 

William A. Wheeler received his early education in the district schools 
of his home neighborhood, and although his early education was limited, he 
has been a reader all his life and keeps himself well informed upon all the 
current topics of the day. That he has kept himself well posted on all affairs, 
particularly those pertaining to agriculture, is evidenced by the fact that he 
is the owner of three hundred and thirty acres of tine land in this county. 
This farm he has brought to a high state of cultivation and has always be- 
lieved in keeping it well stocked with all the latest farming machinery. In 
addition to being engaged in a diversified system of farming and raising all 
those crops' common to this locality, he makes a specialty of breeding Here- 
ford cattle. Me has as fine a herd of Herefords as can he found in the state 
and takes a great deal of pride in keeping it to a high standard of excellence. 
He has a beautiful home, substantial barn and other outbuildings on his 
place and enjoys all the modern conveniences of life. 

Mr. Wheeler has been twice married, his first wife being Ellen Griffin, 
of this county, to whom he was married in August, 1892, and to this union 
there was one child born, Ralph, who is living with his father on the farm. 
His second marriage was to Cora Utley, the daughter of Lewis and Jane 
Utley, to whom he was married on July 3, 1898, and to this union there have 
been born three children, Pearl and Claud, who are at home, and Roy. de- 
ceased, in his home life, Mr. Wheeler is an ideal father and husband and is 
always solicitous for the happiness of his wife and children. 

Mr. Wheeler is a Republican in politics, but has never sought any politi- 
cal office at the hands of his party. He has devoted all of his time and at- 



GIBSON i nUNTY, INDIANA. IOOI 

tention towards his private interests, although he takes an intelligent interest 
in the deliberations o<J hi party. He and his family are faithful adherents 
the Presbyterian church, and take an active interesl in the various depart- 
ments of work in that denomination. They realize thai the church is an im- 
portant factor in the life of any community, and for this reason take ad- 
vantage of ever uinin to ally themselves with any movement which 
has for its end the raising of the moral and religious life of their community. 
Mr. Wheeler's record has been one replete with duty well done and con- 
scientiously performed. In every relation of life he has been an adv., 
wholesome living and clean politics and has always tried to Maud for the 
hesl and best interests of his community and the fact that he is held in 
high esteem by his neighbors shows that he has not labored in vain. He is a 
credit to the honored family from which he is descended and will have the 
satisfaction of handing down to his children the record of a life which has 
been well spent in the service of his community. 



JOHN i ; . MEADE 



Gibson county has been fortunate in the number and character of its 
fanners and much of the material prosperity of the county can he attributed 
to the fact that its fanners have kept abreast of the times. It can hardly 
he questioned that the farmer is an index to the civilization of any commun- 
ity. If the farmers are progressive and up-to-date it follows that the stand- 
ard of living in that community will he high. Thousands of hanks have been 
organized within the last few n order to supply the needs of the 

farmer, and according to one authority, the farmer and his crop furnish the 
hulk of the monej tor mosi of the smaller hanks throughout the I nitcd 
States. The wholesome living which is the good fortune of the farmer is a 
big factor in keeping up the general tone of a county. The business men of 
the towns are drawing the men for their empli country and 

everywhere it is noticed that the men who are rising to in the 

various .amities of life were born and reared on the farm. inty 

has Ion- been known as one of the very best farming counties of the si 
and its excellent farmers have been on.- of the biggest factors in the material 
advancement of the count}. Among the many excellent agricultur 
-on county there is no one who Mauds higher in the estimation of 



IO02 GIBSON COUNTY, INDIANA. 

fellow citizens than does the gentleman whose name appears at the head of 
this review. 

John F. Meade was born in this county, near Owensville, June 25, 
1862, the son of John S. and Minerva (Yeager) Meade, who were also 
natives of this count}-. I lis father was a life-long farmer and served as 
county commissioner at the time when the present court house was built. 
He is still living at the advanced age of eighty-six years, his wife's death 
occurring August 14, 1911. To Mr. and Mrs. John S. Meade were born ten 
children, the subject of this sketch being the fourth child in order of birth. 

John F. Meade was educated in the district schools of his home neigh- 
borhood and also took a course in the Francisco high school. He took ad- 
vantage of his opportunities, applying himself closely to his educational train- 
ing, so that he became a teacher in his township schools for three terms, and 
in this profession he proved verj successful and no doubt would have had a 
long and useful career had he chosen to Follow that vocation. However, 
the call of the farm resounded in his ears and feeling that he would prefer 
an agricultural career to the profession of teaching, he engaged in farming, 
and in this line of endeavor he has proven very successful, and is now the 
owner of one hundred and fifty-five acres of fine farming land in Center 
township. This land he lias brought to a high state of cultivation, and with 
all the modern improvements which he has put on this farm, it is now con- 
sidered as one of the most valuable farms in the county for its acreage. 

Mr. Meade was married on June 24, 1885, to Jessie C. Whiting, the 
daughter of Captain C. C. and Louisiana (Craig) Whiting, both natives of 
Posey countv. this state. Captain Whiting is referred to in the miltarv his- 
tory elsewhere. To Mr. and Mrs. Meade has been born one child. Flor- 
ence, who was married in August, 1913, to Floyd Loper, one of the high 
school teachers in Francisco; they are living in Francisco at the present time. 

Mr. Meade has been a life-long Republican in politics and always takes 
an active interest in the councils of his part}-. His worth as a man and 
citizen was recognized by his party and he was nominated on the Repub- 
lican ticket for township assessor and was elected in due time. Fie has now 
held this office for six years, and has given universal satisfaction. He and 
his wife are faithful and earnest members of the Methodist Fpiscopal 
church of Francisco. They are deeply interested in the welfare of their 
community, and any movement which has for its end the 1 lettering of the 
moral or civic welfare of their immediate locality finds in them ready and 
sympathetic helpers. Mr. Meade gives his unreserved support to the various 



GIB N IV, INDIANA. IOO3 

enterprises of his community which seek to elevate the moral tone of its 
members, and by his straightforward and uprighl dealings in all of his 
affairs, he has gained for himself a sound reputation for square and honesl 
dealings. 



S \.\ll EL II. LAWRENCE. 

It matters much less where geographically a man comes into the world 
than how he comes into its life as a living force, or what he does and be 
comes in it. Heredity and environment have much to do in conditioning 
his character and power, and fortunate indeed is the individual who has 
been well born and whose surroundings have made for his best development. 
The well-known subject of this sketch has been peculiarly blessed in both 
respects. He comes from old and highh esteemed ancestors and was 
reared under excellent home influences, the result being th< 
manhood and citizenship which he today represents. 

Samuel H. Lawrence, the son of Solomon M. and Mary E. (Clark) 
Lawrence, was horn in Gibson county, Indiana, March 1 2, 1851. I lis father 

1 native ol l ihio and settled in this state in 1833 on the same farm now 
owned by his son Samuel He took an active part in the d< enl of 

tins section of this county, and was a true pioneer of his day. lie exper- 
ienced all the vicissitudes and hardships of life in a new country, and at his 
death, on December 22, [879, he was missed by a large number of his fellow 
men as a man who had discharged his evei in such a manner a- I 

worthy of the confidence and esteem with which he was universalb held. 
Ilis widow survived him many years and did not pass away until March 30. 
1904. Mr. and Mrs. Solomon M. Lawrence were the parents of a 
family of eight children: William C, a mail carrier, living in Princeton. 
Indiana: Mrs. Sarah E. Stormont, deceased: Samuel !!., the subject of this 
sketch; C. \\\. who lives at Princeton; .Mrs \,ma \. |)avis,, n . ,,f Prince- 
ton: Mrs. Nancy E. Hudelson, widow, whose husband was a farmer in 
Center township, Gibson county: and Mrs. Armilda I. Mahan. who lives 
with her father on the old home place. Tier husband. Tl Vlahan, to 

whom she was married in [889, died in Inly. [890. leaving one son. f.aw- 
ghth and youngest child is Hugh T.. who lives on a farm in 
Center township, Gibson county. 

Samuel H. £rew to manhood with a pn eption of life's responsi- 



1004 GIBSON COUNTY, INDIANA. 

bilities. Reared in close touch with nature, in the fields and woods and farm, 
at an early age accustomed to manual labor, he developed while still a young 
man a strung and vigorous physique which, with a naturally keen and alert 
mind, subsequently made him a fine specimen of manhood. During his child- 
hood and youth he attended the public schools of his neighborhood and when 
the time came to choose a vocation, he decided to become a tiller of the soil, 
which honorable and useful calling he has since followed with satisfactory 
financial results. He worked on his father's farm until he was about thirty- 
two years of age, when he bought a farm of eighty acres in Center town- 
ship. He continued to operate this farm until his father's death, when he 
later sold it and bought a half interest in the old home place. 

He has never been married, his widowed sister and her son having 
lived with him for the past twenty-five years. On his fine farm of one hun- 
dred acres he carries on a diversified system of farming, and raises abund- 
antly all the crops grown in this part of Indiana. He is very much inter- 
ested in keeping everything on his farm in first class condition, a fact which 
bespeaks well for the industry and energy of the owner. 

In politics he is affiliated with the Progressive party and keeps well in- 
formed on all the auestions of the dav. He is a member of the United 
Presbyterian church, and contributes freely of his means to tin- support of 
that denomination. As a neighbor he is kindly disposed and accommodating 
and his influence at all times has made for good among those with whom 
he has been thrown in contact. He is essentially a practical man. sound in 
judgment and well endowed with that most excellent quality known as good 
common sense. His integrity, personal honor and high character have won 
him a conspicuous place in the confidence and esteem of his fellow citizens. 



THOMAS M. PALMER. 



I he life of the early pioneers of Indiana is always interesting to the 
modern generation.. To the men who were born in the thirties and are still 
living at the present time, the life of today must present strange contrasts to 
the life which they lived as boys. Thomas M. Palmer, the subject of this 
sketch, who was born fanuary 19, i^.v-- in Vanderburg countv. this stair. 
is one of the oldest pioneers now living in Gibson county. His parents were 
William and Mary (Miller) Palmer, and they came from the East to this 
state. His father was the first blacksmith in the town of Evansville. When 



GIBSON COUNTY, INDIANA. IOO5 

Thomas was a small lad of two or three his father, while raising 

a log for their cabin home, slipped and broke his leg, from which accident 
he never recovere ith occurred shortly afterwards, leaving bis 

w idow with six children. 

Thomas M. Palmer received what little & hools of that 

primitive time afforded and can describe ven entertainingly the queer old 

cabin which then was used .is a scl 1 house. With its h . and vvril 

desks tacked to the wall, it was a primitive structure indeed, and yet with 
the light streaming through the greased paper windows and with thi 
quill pen, these forefather-, of ours learned to write much better than many 
of tin. boys and girls of our schools today. [( is related that Jonathan Jen- 
nings, the first governor of the state in [816, wrote such a line hand that bis 
letters were saved by the school teachers throughout southern Indiana and 
used as window panes, so that the pupils might have the writing of the 
governor as a model to follow. Mr. Palmer has related to the historians of 
this volume many interesting incidents of the early days in Indiana. He 
has one interesting ston 'coon" hunt; when he reached a tree and fired 

into the top of the branches, he brought three "coons" out of the tree at one 
shot. 

As a young man Thomas M. Palm* :d at the plastering trade for 

several years ami upon saving one hundred dollars went t ille to 

seek his fortune. Here he entered into partnership with a man by the name 
of Riley in the buying of poultry and this business proved to be vi 
t'ul. He followed this line for several years and finally went into the rai- 
of sheen. Here lie was equalh successful and continued to conduct this 
business for several years. In the meantime he began to acquire 'and. and 
in the course of time v owner of one hundred and twenty acres of 

d land in ("enter township, in th In addition he 1 mu- 

tated town property in Francisco, and has interests in si >f the hanks 

i if the county. 

Mr. Palmer was twice married, firsl to Rosar.n Gore, a native of the 
e death occurred \.pril o. r8i iruary 17. t8i 

be was again married to Mary V Heaps, the daught 1 iza- 

' Heaps, wdio were nativi ngland, hut had come to this state early 

in its history. 

Politically . Mr. Palmer has been a 1 Democral and is one of the 

eldest voters in the county. He has never held any office other than road 
5U pei of his t-.wnship. and in the several years during which he dis- 



6 GIBSON COUNTY, INDIANA. 

charged the duties of this office, he has done very efficient work in fixing up 
the roads of his township. He and his wife are faithful and earnest mem- 
bers of the Regular Baptist church at Francisco and are active in the dis- 
charge of all the obligations which the church demands. For more than 
twenty years they have lived in Francisco and are enjoying the twilight of 
their lives surrounded by all the modern conveniences. 

Mr. Palmer is one of the few old pioneers left in this county and he is 
still hale and hearty and able to recall incidents which have happened for the 
last seventy-five years. The reminiscences of such a man would make an 
interesting volume for future generations. 1 le is one of the best known men 
throughout this community and is respected and honored by everyone. Be- 
cause of his reputation for integrity and his high character, his influence for 
good in this community has been most potent and in all the relations of life 
he has commanded the confidence and respect of a long list of friends and 
acquaintances, and has the satisfaction of knowing that in his old age that 
the community in which he resides has been benefited by his presence and his 
counsel. By his long years of hard labor and honest endeavor he has ai 
quired a well-merited material prosperity and richly deserves to pass the 
remainder of his days in peace and quietness, surrounded by those who love 
him best. 



MILTON McROBERTS. 



Gibson county could boast of few more progressive and successful 
farmers and stock men than the subject of this brief biographical review, 
who has long been well and favorably known in Washington township, and, 
in fact, in the entire county of Gibson, having operated excellent farming 
lands for many years, being considered one of the leading citizens of the 
community. He is enterprising, neighborly and hospitable, combining within 
himself those qualities of sterling manhood that make not only a useful 
member of society, but a man whom any locality might well be delighted to 
honor. In looking to his individual interests, he has never lost sight of his 
duty to his fellow men and in many ways has contributed to their well being 
and happiness, yet all in a quiet, unassuming manner, seeking to do good yet 
avoiding public display. 

Milton McRoberts was born November 25, 1850, in Washington town- 
ship, Gibson county, Indiana, the son of Artemus Barnard and Indiana 



GIBSON COUNTY, INDIANA. IOO7 

(Lewis) McRoberts. The father was a native of Kentucky, where lie was 
born 111 1822, his death occurring in 1895, while the mother wa ve of 

on county, Indiana. 
[ilton McRoberts' paternal grandfather moved to the state of Ohio 
about 1823 and settled near Cincinnati and died a ears after locating 

there. J lis son, Artemus B., the subject's father, 1 .sier stale 

when a young man and settled in Washington township, Gibson county, his 
brothers having preceded him to this place. Shortly after his arrival in the 
new community he married and purchased two hundred acp nsely tim- 

bered land. His energies were then hem toward hewing a home from this 
uninviting tract, an enterprise in which he was greatly encouraged by his 
neighbors, who informed him that he would starve to death, as a greal 
lion of his land was low and wet. However, it seems that Artemus Mc- 
Roberts knew what lie was about, as lie paid no attention to these di- 

ents, going ahead steadily in his battle with the virgin forest, and in 
time was enabled 1m laugh at the dismal prophecies of those who had belittled 
hi> land, it now constituting one of th< besl tracts in the county, lie wa- a 
very successful man in his linn-, of rather a retiring nature, and although 
handicapped by the lack of an early education gained from hooks, his innate 
common sense and maturely developed ju made him a man lo 

up to in his community. 

( If a family of nine children, eight -on- and one daughter. Milton was 
the eldest, six of these children yet living. llis early youth was spent 111 
Washington township, where he assisted his parents in the work on the home 
farm. On October _>. 1*74. Mr. McRoberts was united in the holy bonds of 
matrimony to Elizabeth A. Foster, who was born in Gibson county. To thi- 
union have been horn nine children, a- follows: Clarence was educated in the 
district schools and college and is now teaching at Wheeling, Indiana; James 
L., who received a similar education, taught school for -"me tune, and was 
appointed trustee of the township in 1 o 1 _\ when the previous trustee died: 
John R. is living in Patoka; Edith M. is the wife of Samuel Kolb, of Wash- 
in township; Sally G. died July 7, 1889: Ethel F. died December 16, 
1890; Cornelia is the wife of Fines Trippet; Louis M. and Edna E. are at 
home. 

Mr. McRoberts has -pent his entire life on his farm, which he has 
veloped and cultivated with no small measure of success, lie formerly made 
a specialty of fine stock, his foiled \ngu- register* being among the 

best specimens of that sterling breed to he found anywhere. 



IOOS GIBSON COUNTY, INDIANA. 

In 1894 Mr. McRoberts was elected trustee of his township on the 
Democratic ticket, and in the six years in which he gave his best abilities to 
that important office there was not the slightest adverse criticism of his con- 
duct of the affairs of that position. During his administration the plan for 
consolidating the schools was worked out and subsequently adopted. 

Mr. McRoberts is deeply interested in the growth and well being of 
the Union Bethel Presbyterian church in Washington township, in which he 
has been a deacon and a trustee for several years. 



REV. WILLIAM L. McROBERTS. 

Although his life work has been the noble calling of agriculture, yet 
the subject of this sketch, William L. McRoberts, has found time in a 
busy and useful life to do much toward ameliorating the condition of his 
fellow men, often laboring with disregard for his own welfare if thereby he 
might attain the object sought — to make some one better and happier. Such 
a life as his is rare and is eminently worthy of emulation, being singularly 
free from all that is deteriorating or paltry, for his influence is at all times 
uplifting, and thousands of people have been made better for having known 
him. 

William L. McRoberts was born August 8, 1837, at Cincinnati, Ohio, 
the son of David McRoberts, of New York state, and Rebecca (Abbott) 
McRoberts, of Maryland. The father of David McRoberts, also named 
David, was an orderly sergeant in the war of 1812 and remained in the East 
all his life. 

Rev. McRoberts' father removed ivm the Empire state to Ohio after 
marrying and settled near Cincinnati. Tn 1840 he left the Queen City and. 
with his family, came down the Ohio river to Evansville, Indiana, from which 
point they came overland to Washington township, Gibson county, and here 
the father purchased land. A younger brother here joined them, he having 
come from Cincinnati with the horses, driving them through over the rough 
trails and primitive roads of the time. Twenty years later, in i860, the 
family was joined by Reuben, another brother of the father. Reuben's son, 
David, enlisted in the Union army at the outbreak of the Civil war, and 
died in the service. Reuben, a brother of David McRoberts, was a member 
of the Sixty-fifth Indiana Volunteer Tnfantrv. while another brother, Alex- 



CHIMIN COUNTY, INDIANA. IOOQ 

cinder, was attached to the ["went) fourth Indiana Volunteer Infantry. 
Alexander completed his original term of enlistment of three years and then 
re-enlisted and served until the close of the war, his term of service covering 
the entire period of hostilities, as did also that of his brother, Reuben. 

David McRoberts spenl his life on his farm in Washington township, 
cultivating his land in seasonable weather and during the winter months 
working at his trade as a cooper. In this craft he was possessed of great 
skill, and his talents at that time were devoted to the making of lard pails, 
there being a great demand for these to be used in shipping down the river to 
New ( (rleans. He was a few years over sixty when he died, his death being 
caused b) the bursting of a hi 1 vessel. To Mr. and Mrs. David Mc- 
Roberts were horn twelve children. Inn two of whom are now living, a num- 
ber of them dying in infancy, the rest reaching an old age. 

William L. McRoberts passed his boyhood days on the home farm, 
lending a hand to the arduous task of making a wilderness yield forth its 
best for the support of the hardy pioneers. lie secured what education it 
was possible to obtain in the crude schools of the district at that lime, re- 
maining on the home farm until [86l. ( >n February 3, 1SO1, he was united 
in marriage to Mary Kirk, of Washington township, Gibson county, the 
daughter of an old pioneer family in that community, the town of Kirksville 
having been named in honor of them. To this union were born four chil- 
dren, namely: \V. A., of Washington township: Ambrose, of Evansville, 
Indiana: Ethel, who married Robert M. Keel, a minister of the gospel, and 
lives in Illinois; David A., who is a minister in Illinois. 

The first wife of Mr. McRoberts died in 1007. and he subsequently 
married Mrs. Rosella Thompson, of Washington township, Gil nty, 

the daughter of Alexander Bennet, an early settler of this county, who v 
born in [800 and died in 1S75. Ill- second wife had a daughter, label, by 
her first marriage, who 1- now the wife of Henr) Troutman, of Washii 
ton township. 

Mr. McRoberts has followed tl farming practically his 

entire lifetime, although in his youns lie worked at the cooper's trade 

with his father. Over thirty years ago the subject entered the ministry and 
has been preaching to the local Methddisl church ever since. Now, at the 

age of seventy-six year-, he is enjoying g 1 health and is as active as many 

a man of twenty-five years young* 

While newer having taken an active interesl in political affairs 

(64) 



IOIO GIBSON COUNTY, INDIANA. 

from the intelligent exercise of his franchise, the subject consented to accept 
a term of six years in the office of county commissioner, in which position 
he very creditably acquitted himself. 

While agriculture has been Mr. McRoberts' chief life work, he has de- 
voted considerable attention to his duties as a minister of the gospel, being 
earnest in all he says and does. Fie is known throughout this locality as one 
of the leading citizens of a community noted for the high order of its citizen- 
ship. He is truly a good and useful man. but he is plain and unassuming, 
and strives to do his dutv at all times, regardless of inconvenience to himself. 



WILLIS 1 AULEY. 



The people who continue the bone and sinew of this country are not 
those who are unstable and unsettled, who fly from one occupation to an- 
other, wlin do u"t know how to vote until they are told, and who take no 
active and intelligent interest in the civic affairs of their community. The 
backbone of this country is made up of the families who have made their 
homes, who are alive to the best interests of the community, who attend to 
their own business in preference to the affair- of others, and wh<> work on 
steadilv from day to day. taking the sunshine with the storm, and who rear 
a fine family to a comfortable home and an honest life. Such people are 
always welcome in any country and in any community. They are wealth 
producer^ and Gibson county is fortunate in being blessed with many of 
them, among whom is the subject of this sketch. 

Willis Pauley was born October 8, [868, in Washington township, Gib- 
son county, Indiana, the son of William and Plla (Miller) Pauley, the father 
having been born in Kentucky in 1833 and dying in Washington township, 
Gibson county, in 1S90, at the age of fifty-seven years, while the mother was 
a native of Gibson county. 

William Pauley came to Gibson county in 1850, when he was about 
eighteen years of age. and located in Washington township, where lie passed 
his life, reaching a position of honor and respect among his fellow men. 

Of a family of five children. Willi- was the eldest, and spent his youth- 
ful days on the home place, attending the district school and assisting his 
father in the conduct of the farm. In 1890, however, Willis Pauley struck 
out for himself and engaged in farming on his own behalf. He purchased 



GIBSON COUNTY, INDIANA. IOII 

his present home farm in [905, having disposed of his former property, 
and now owns one hundred acres of as fine land as can be found in the 
county. Jt is all under a high state of cultivation and improved with the 
most modern and up-to-date farm buildings, which, together with his com- 
fortable home, represents an agricultural plant of which any man might feel 
proud. Along with general farming, Mr. Pauley r; ach horses, for 

which he finds a ready market at remunerative prices. 

January 26, 1891, Mr. Pauley was united in marriage to Frances John- 
son, daughter of Thomas Johnson, of Kt inty, Indi; 
known and most prosperous farmers in the state, lie is the p< 
two thousand four hundred acres of tine land in Knox county, on which he 
raises large crops, in addition to marketing a 1 " mi one hundred head of 
horses annually. On the splendid estate over which he presides he maintains 
a deer park stocked with sixty head of these beautiful animals. 

To Willis Pauley and wife have been born five children: Ethelbert, 
Pearl. Artie, Willis and Waldo, all of whom are -til! under the parental roof. 

Mr. Pauley is a worthy and representative citizen, ha ted well 

his part in life, and while primarily interested in hi- own affairs, he has not 
been unmindful of other-, a- hi- efforts to advance the public good and 
the welfare of hi- fellow men abundantly attest. 



WILLIAM 1IYXLM \X. 



I here could he no more comprehensive history written of a city <>r 
count}, "l' even of a state and it- people, than that which deals with the life- 
work mi' those w In 1. by their own endeavor and indomitable energy, have 
placed themselves where they well deserve the title of " In this 

sketch will be found the record 1 who has outstripped the > 

ible plodders on the highway of life, one who ha- not been subdued by 
the many obstacles and failures that come t" ever mt who has made 

them stepping stones to higher things and at the same time that he was win- 
ning his way in material things of life gained a reputation for uprightness 
and honor. 

William Hyneman was horn November 11. 1849, in Washington town- 
ship, Gibson > Indiana, the V K. and Luzanna (Hargi 
Hyneman, the father hem- born in the same county and town-hip. where he 



IOI2 GIBSON COUNTY, INDIANA. 

died in 1900, in his seventy-ninth year, and the mother a native of White 
River township. The father of A. K. Hyneman was John Hyneman, who 
came from Pennsylvania to the Hoosier state over one hundred years ago 
and located in Washington township, the land which he originally entered 
being yet in the possession of the family. At the time of his coming to 
Gibson county there was but one family living between his home and Prince- 
ton. Here he continued the rest of his days on the original homestead, dying 
in his eighty-first year. 

A. K. Hyneman spent his entire life on the land originally occupied by 
his father, developing and improving his holdings until he became the pos- 
sessor of over four hundred acres of the best land in the community, he being 
one of the representative men of his time. To A. K. Hyneman and wife 
were born nine children, namely: John is living in Patoka township; Marv 
and lsaphina are deceased; William; Lizzie, deceased; Samuel resides on the 
old homestead; R. A. is living in Pike cunt}'; Cynthia resides in Ohio; and 
Wiilis, Washington. 

William Hyneman's early life was spent on his father's place, he re- 
ceiving a good education in the district schools. On May 25, 1881, he was 
married to Mrs. Edith (Price) Thompson, daughter of Amzi Price, of 
Washington township, who was born in 1810 and died in 1893. Her grand- 
father, William Price, settled in this county over a century ago, he having 
emigrated from North Carolina, and Amzi Price continued during his life- 
time on the home place. 

To William Hyneman and wife have been born six children: Perry, 
deceased; Minnie, at home: Ora, who married George Decker; Edgar, who 
died in infancy ; Bret and Burtis, at home. 

After his marriage, Mr. Hyneman rented land in Pike county. Indiana, 
where he followed farming for about a year, and then came to Washington 
township, Gibson countv, and purchased land, 'in which he has continued to 
reside. This land, which includes a part of the old homestead, has been im- 
proved and added to until it now comprises a tract of two hundred acres, 
and is considered one <>f the best farms in the county. A number of im- 
provements have been made, among them a splendidly located and comfort- 
able home and good barns and other farm buildings. 

Mr. Hvneman has always taken an active and earnest interest in educa- 
tional matters and served for a number of years on the school board, having 
been a member when the present Mt. Olympus school was established, it 
being one of the finest country schools in the United States, having five 



GIBSON COUNTY. INDIANA. I0I3 

teachers. Always a strong advocate of consolidation, Mr. Hyneman has 
been a leader in all improvements tending to modernize and increase the 
utility of the educational institutions of his district. Mrs. Hyneman is a 
member of the Cumberland Presbyterian church and lake- a deep interesl in 
its well-being and effectn ei i 



JOHN A. ZWISSLER. 



Any person who will ii e facts in the case will be surprised 

to learn of the great numl of < lermanic nativity and descent now 

living in the United States. Unquestionabl) the greatest number of emi- 
grants reaching the -I the new world From that nation, and 
statistics show that there is more Germanic blood in the Unit than 
any other. This being a fact, it is easy to account for the prosperit] 
morality of this country. Not only that, but it will afford an explanation 
for the love of learning shown by the ast nation. Germany 
is famous the world ov for its remarkable universities, for its educated 
men. for its poets and philosophers, and for the industry, patience, intelli- 
gence, morality and sturdiness of it- citizens. These qualities have been 

lit to tin- country by the immigrants, am w part and pan 

our wonderful nation — its progress it omy, its advance 

in every branch of material improvement, and its love of country and home. 

John A. Zwissler, one of the leading farmers of Patoka township. Gib- 
son county, Indiana, was horn on X [853, in Audenhach. Ger- 
many, the son of Lawrence and Ague- Carl Zwissler, both of whom were 
also natives of the same locality. There they were reared and married. 
where the father successfully followed farming until his death, which oc- 
curred in 1859, at tne a S e "'* sixty years. The following year the widow and 
her children came to the United State- in the hope of improving their 
dition. These children were Catherine, who is now living at Sparksville, 
Ohio; Joseph, deceased; Peter, who remained in the fatherland, where he 
followed farming; Barbara, deceased; Ferdinand, deceased, and John A., 
the immediate subject oi this -ketch. Subsequently, the mother became the 
wife of Simon Moser, also a nativi l 'many, and to them were born two 
children. Kate, who lives in Evansville. Indiana, and Mary, a resident of 
Vanderburg county. Indiana. When the family first arrived in America 



I ' I I 4 GIBSON COUNTY, INDIANA. 

the_\ located in Dayton, Ohio, for two years, and then came to Indianapolis, 
Indiana, where they remained until they moved to Evansville, Indiana, two 
years later. There the father and mother both died. John A. Zwissler has 
received only a limited education, and at the age of twenty-six years, in 
1872, he enlisted in the Fifteenth Regiment of the United States Army, at 
Evansville, Indiana, being sent to Newport Barracks, where he remained 
until sufficiently acquainted with military tactics, and was then assigned to 
the command at Fori Stanton, in New Mexico, where he remained for five 
years. During a part of this time he was assigned as escort to the paymas- 
ter through that section of the country, and proved a trustworthy and faith- 
ful soldier. After his discharge from the army he came to Gibson county, 
Indiana, and, in 1879, located on the Charles Key farm, south of Princeton, 
in Patoka township. He first obtained eight)' acres of land in section 31, to 
which he later added ninety acres more, being now the owner of a fine tract 
of one hundred and seventy acres, comprising one of the best farms in Gib- 
son county. Mr. Zwissler remodeled the residence and other farm buildings 
and made many other and substantial improvements, which have added 
materially to the value and attractive appearance of the place. He is up-to- 
date and progressive in his ideas relating to agriculture, and in this calling 
has achieved a splendid success. He carries on a general fanning business, 
raising all the crops common to this section of the country, and also gives 
some attention to the raising of live stock, in which he is also successful. 

In 1870 Mr. Zwissler married Margaret McWilliams, a native of South 
Carolina, a daughter of David and Martha (Wham) McWilliams, also 
natives of South Carolina, but who became early settlers of Gibson county, 
where the father followed farming, and where he and his wife died. To 
Mr. and Mrs. Zwissler have been born the foil, .wing children: Martha 
Agnes, the wife of Elbert Cunningham, of Tulsa, Oklahoma; Lawrence, a 
farmer, who is at home; Sarah Ellen, who died unmarried; Olive, the widow 
William I.. Smith, who lives with her father; J. Arthur, who is now at- 
tending the civil engineering department in Purdue University, where 
he will graduate with the class of [914; Florence, who is at home and is a 
student in the Princeton high school; and Mary and Katie, who are deceased. 
Politically, Mr. Zwissler is an earnest Republican, and religiously is a 
member of the Methodist Episcopal church at King's Station in this county. 
Mr. Zwissler occupies a prominent place among the substantial farmers of 
his locality, and deseiwes all the splendid success which has attended his 
efforts. He has acted well his part in life, and while primarily interested in 



. INDIANA. I015 

his own affairs, he has not been unmindful of the intei as his 

efforts to advance the pub! note the welfare of the community 

amply attest. 



SYLVESTER B. R( IBINSON. 

Sylvester B r and influential citizen of Gibson county, 

was born here September 15. [852, the son of James A. R 
born in Warren county, Kentucky. August 20, [826. The fatb 
Robinson was John, a native of \ irginia, who after his marriage to a Miss 
Daugherty, went to Kentucky, where the) secured a large tract of Ian 
which the) made their home and where he died. After his death, his wife 
came to Gibson county. Indiana, about the year 1847, aU( ' here she died 111 
1861. They were the parents of seven children, namely: Sarah. William. 
Earl, Milton, James A.. Robert and John. This entire family is now de- 
ceased. James V, one of the sons, came to Gibson county about the 
1X47 and was that year married to Louisa Benson, a native of Gibson county, 
born in iN,^. She was a daughter >>} William Benson, of Hardin county. 
Kentucky, who had come to Gibson count) and married Margaret Leach. 
who was born in Virginia in William Benson was originally from 

Virginia and came here in [816, where he died in 1878. The wi 
occurred in 1866. Mr. Benson was a wheelwright by trade, quite skilled in 
that day when rdl sorts of farm impli md vehicles were hand made, 

lie was al-o a fanner, owning and cultivating a large tract of land. 
children follow: Mary Jane, deceased; Sylvester, who died on March 31, 
Martha, deceased; Ellen, wife of \masa Wil mery 

township; Louisa (mother of the immediate subjeel of this sketch 
Owensville, [ndiana; Sarah, 1 William C. who was killed at Kings- 

ton; North Carolina; and Lemyra, de 

lames A. Robinson, after his a Benson in 18 

located on a farm in Gibson county, where he remained until [856, at which 
time he moved to DeWitt county. Illinois, lie remained there ten 
and in 1866 returned to Gibson count e he farmed until 1903. lie 

always anxious to introduce new and helpful methods into hi- agricul- 
tural work and has the distil- Ight the first corn planter 

on county. IN' was a man of genial disposition who n 
friends. Always a. stanch Republican, he ctive in the p of his 



loll) GIBSON COUNTY, INDIANA. 

county and filled an office or two. He and his wife were the parents of nine 
children, seven of whom are now living. Their names follow: Martha, 
born September 20, 1850, deceased, the wife of Elisha L. Pritchett, a farmer, 
furniture dealer and funeral director; Sylvester B., subject of this sketch; 
George C. died in infancy; Woodfin D., born January _>7, 1857. in DeWitt 
county, Illinois; graduated from State University at Bloomington in 1879, 
taught school for a while, later attended law school at Ann Arbor, Michigan, 
from which he was graduated in 1882, was admitted to the bar and took up 
the practice of his chosen profession in Princeton. In 1884 he was elected 
county superintendent of the schools of Gibson county. He and A. P. 
Twineham operated the Gibson Cuu.uly Leader for about a year. He was 
first elected judge in 1805 and served twelve years on the appellate bench. 
He also represented his district in the stale Legislature. In 1909 he removed 
to Evansville, Indiana, where he took up the practice of law with a partner 
under the firm name of Robinson & Stilwell. His wife was Jessie Montgom- 
ery. The fifth child in this family was William C. born June 28. 18, 
residing at present in Colorado Springs, Colorado. In his earlier years he 
was a dealer in grain at Oakland City, Indiana, and later went to Kansas, 
where he started in banking business, and still later to Holyoke, Colorado, 
where he practiced law and engaged in real estate business. He was also 
made judge in the county courts there. Later he removed to Colorado 
Springs, where he has since practiced law. He is a stanch Republican and 
was elected senator of his district. His wife was Lida Dorsey. The sixth 
child is Minnie Belle, born June 30, i8(>_>, wife of Jlenry Mauck, of Owens- 
ville, Indiana, a farmer and stock dealer; Dove, the seventh child, born in 
October. 1866, wife of Osborn Lockhart, dealer in coal and building mater- 
ials at Owensville; Ada, the eighth child, born in August, 1869, wife of John 
A. Mauck, a salesman traveling out of Fort Smith, Arkansas; and Anna, 
the ninth and last child, born in 1875, wife of Orville McGinnis, of Evans- 
ville, Indiana, a graduate of DePauw University and now an attorney. He 
has served in office and was referee in bankruptcy. 

Sylvester B. Robinson received his elementary education in the schools 
of DeWitt county, Illinois, later attending the high school at Owensville, 
Indiana, and the Normal College at Lebanon, Ohio, from which he was grad- 
uated in 1872. He taught school for five years in the schools of Gibson 
county and then took up farming in I'atoka township. Here he remained for 
two vears. when he went to Miller, South Dakota, took up a homestead 
claim and was there three years. At the end of that time he returned to 
Gibson countv and was interested in the coal business at Owensville for about 



GIBSON COUNTY. INDIANA. 1<>I J 

eight years, since which tunc he has carried i k raising 

in I'atoka township. 

Sylvester B. Robinson was first married on Uigusl i_\ 1875, l " Mary 
Barker, of Owensville, daughter of Hiram and Eliza iarker. 

He was a fanner and pioneer of Gibson count] fo their union was born 
one child. Pearl, wife of E. D Fletchall, of Poseyville, Indiana, deal' 
live stock. To Mr. and Mrs. Fletchall have been born Idren: Emily 

(deceased). Virginia, E. 1).. Jr., and [. Mrs. Robinson's dear 

enrred June 28, [878. Mr. Robinson's second wife wa- Hattie Jai 
whom he married September 29, (892. She was a nati Kvensville. 

Indiana, a daughter of William A. ai \. i Pollard) Jaquess. Her 

father wa I man and v. I Poseyville, Indiana. Mr. and 

Mr>. Jaquess had a family of eight children, namely: Roxanna, wife of 
Richey Summers, of Owensville; Emma, wife of VV. A. Stewart, of Vander- 
bilt, Texas; Lora, wii ; nry Baird, of New Albany, Indiana: Fletcher 

P.. a farmer of < lie; Hattie, wife of Mr. I n: Retta. wii 

Charles W. Heistand, ips, Arkansas: Ada B., unmarried, a milliner 

in Connersville, Indiana, and Minnie, the wife of U. G. Teal, ;ville, 

Indiana. \)\ his second marria born 

July 14, 1803. who attended the State I'd nington and grad- 

uated with the class of 1914. 

All through life Mr. Robinson has been a stanch Republican and has 
taken some active interest in politics, but has never aspired for office as 
have other members of his family. Ri ithies are with the 

Methodist Episcopal church, of which Mrs. R ember and to 

which he gives his support. Of undoubted honesty and integrity. Air. Robin- 
son enjoys the high esteem of all with whom he comes in contact. The 
members of the family move in the besl circles f the community and be 
cause of their genuine worth and splendid qualities they enjoy the high re- 
gard of all. 



WILLIAM ENNES. 



Anion,? all branches of history, there is none more instructive or more 

eagerly sought after than that which truthfully delineates the rise and prog- 

>f the state, county or community in which the reader lives. There is 

pleasure as well as profit to every intelligent mind in contemplating the 

struggles of the early settlers in every portion of the greal Wesl : how they 



[Ol8 GIBSON COUNTY, INDIANA. 

encountered and successfully overcame every species of trial, hardship and 
danger to which men in that stirring period were subjected. But these 
things strike us more forcibly and till our minds with more immediate inter- 
est when confined to our own locality where we can yet occasionally meet 
with some of the silver-haired actors in those early scenes, men whose bravery 
in encountering the manifold troubles and misfortunes incident to frontier 
tunes has borne an important part towards making Indiana what it now is, 
and whose act-, in connection with hundreds of others in the first settling of 
our vasl domain, have compelled the world to acknowledge us an invincible 
people. The early settlement of Gibson county was marked by as much 
heroism and daring as characterized the frontier history of any other section 
of the state. Her pioneers were men of invincible courage, undaunted by 
the obstacles which confronted them, and the results of their self-sacrificing 
labors are today seen in the wonderful achievements they wrought in laying 
the foundation upon which their successors have builded wisely and well. 

William S. Ennes. ex-county treasurer and retired merchant of Prince- 
ton. Indiana, was born November 28, [862, in Washington township, Gibson 
county. Indiana, son of Embree and Martha J. ( Kirk) Ennes, both of Wash- 
ington township, this county. The father was a son of John and Elizabeth 
I Key) Ennes, of South Carolina, and who were among the pioneer settlers 
of Washington township. Here they secured wild land, which they cleared 
and made a home, reared a large family and died there. They were buried 
in Mt. Olive cemetery. Embree Ennes had only a limited schooling in the 
schools of those days and lived at home until August, 1802, when he enlisted 
in Company B, Sixty-fifth Regiment Indiana Volunteer Infantry, at Prince- 
ton. Shortly after joining his command, he was taken sick at Henderson. 
Kentucky, and his wife brought him home, where he died in 1863 at the age 
of twenty-one years. He was a farmer and he and his wife were members 
of tin- Methodist Episcopal church. His wife was married a second time, 
to John Sullivan, a farmer (deceased), of Buena Vista, Washington town- 
ship, in this county. She resides in Oakland City. To John Sullivan and 
wife (Mrs. Martha J. Ennes) were born: Jasper S.. a farmer in Knox 
county, Indiana: U. S.. a jeweler at Vincennes, Indiana: Ada, deceased; 
Perrv ()., with the Waltham Watch Company at Waltham, Massachusetts, 
since 1802. 

William S. Ennes, who was the only child by his mother's first mar- 
riage, was educated in the home schools and also at the Danville Central 
Xonnal College. After he left school he clerked in a hardware store at Fort 



GIBSON COUNTY, INDIANA. IOIQ 

Wayne, [ndiana, and was also with Barrett & Stokes, hardware dealers at 
Princeton, Indiana. He vva u\ county treasurer in 1889 and 

^ s then appointed county treasurer to (ill out an unexpired term in 1897, 
serving three months, after which he was elected count) treasurer, tal 

e in [900 and serving four years. After the expiration of his term he 
was in the grocery business in Princeton, Indiana, for eight years, selling 
out m I'M 1. and since then hi ! after his farm interests. 

William S. Ennes was married November ij. 1889, to \aw\ Kightly, 
who was born in White River township, Gibson county, Indiana, and is a 
daughter of Josiah Kightly. To Mr. and Airs. Ennes have been born four 
children, namely: Vesper !>., hum March 9, [891, who graduated from the 
high school of Princeton, and is new a steam fitter at Crawfordsville, Indi- 
ana; Dark, born July 11. [893, ■ intending Indiana University at 
Bloomington, and is in the second year: Raymond, born Air 
died m 1 >ctober, [902, and Lowell K., born October 4. 1903. 

For the past ten years Mrs. Ennes has been 111 the board of charities 
and for the past four y< iresident of guardians. She takes a 

great interest in lodge and charity work and is a splendid woman and mother. 

The following is a story of the li isiah Kightly. the father of Mrs. 

Ennes, as written by himself just following his eightieth birthday, and dedi- 
cated to his children and his children's children: 

"I was born in Chatteras, Cambridgeshire, England, in the cl >urs 

of January 31, 1822. My father was William Kightly. My motln 
maiden name was Mar. beth Phillips. I was one of eight children. 

there being seven b »irl in the family. My father was a far: 

and my early life, until I was ten year- of age, was passed as childhood days 
were usually passed in that time in a farming community, helping and hinder- 
ing about the home. When I was ten y< I decided I would go to 
work instead of going to school. 1 had no trouble in 31 and 1 
want to say right here thai I have worked from that day to this (seventy 
years), hut 1 now feel that I am entitled to a rest for the balance of my 
earthly davs. As I was when I was ten years old 1 hired to a neigh- 
bor to herd his sheep and lambs and for this I was paid sixpence a 
twelve cents in our money. After working a Ion- time for this man. he • 
-1 1 .leased with my work he told me he would give me sixpence every 1 

or my own in addition to mv regular wages, which he knew went to 
my parents t,, help pay my hoard and clothing. I am proud to say that \ 
saved tra sixpence and soon had plenty of money, all of which I cat 



1020 GIBSON COUNTY, INDIANA. 

fully saved until I decided to come to this country. I worked for the same 
buss eight years, then i went home to my father and worked for him four 
years, driving his team or whatever there was to do in the daytime and at 
night 1 often enjoyed myself going to see the girls. 

"I had long had a growing desire to seek something better and my 
thoughts naturally turned to America. When J was twenty-two years old. 
>ng and healthy, in the fall of 1844, the last of October, I bade farewell to 
home and kindred and set sail 1 >n the sailing vessel 'Frankona' bound for 
New Orleans. Shortly after we set sail the fun began. Before we were out 
of the Irish channel, we — the passengers one and all — were 'pumping ship' 
in great fashion, for we were all sea-sick. We had a good time and sailed 
very fast and the rolling salt waves looked like tire. It was a beautiful sight 
had we been in condition to enjoy it. However, we went to bed and stayed 
there until the seasickness wore off. While that sickness lasted I will confess 
I wanted hack to the old home and the friends 1 had always known, but after 
recovering from the sickness life put on many charms and from that time on 
1 saw all the enjoyment I could out of the voyage. We were forty-seven 
days making the trip and during that time I saw* many strange sights that 
were new to me. Besides having lots of fun we saw sea hogs, flying fish 
in great numbers, also one whale. To my unpracticed eye the whale looked 
to l;e a^ large around as a big horse and more than thirty feet long. 1 guess 
he got mad at our vessel for he went off a little ways and blew up the water as 
high as we could see it. While passing one of the Bahama islands our vessel 
hove to and there I had my first sight of a black man. That was what we 
called him then, but after we got to the United States I found the general 
term used for black man was 'nigger.' To many of us he was a great 
curiosity. All he had on was a gunnvsack with a hole cut in the bottom 
through which his head came. The captain told the sailors to throw a rope 
down to him. 1 le had a skiff load of fine fish and he rowed close to our ship 
side. They threw the rope to him and the darky filled a sack full of the fish 
and the sailors hauled it on deck. Then the darky came up and he was a sight 
for us to see — a black man in a gunny sack ! The captain told the steward 
to take what fish he needed for the cabin and let the passengers have the rest. 
The fresh fish were a great treat to us. After the darkey went back to his 
skiff our vessel went on as best it could, but we had sea grass and hot winds 
to contend with, and we got along very slowly. I remember an incident 
that occurred about that time. There was an old dog on the vessel and one 
day as the first mate was on deck the old dog came along and the mate kicked 



GIBSON COUNTY, INDIANA. 1021 

at him. The mate happened thai <la\ to be wearing a pair of old slippers and 
in his kick lie missed the dog and the "1,1 slipper went sailing into th< 
With that the mate gave the other foot a kick ami. telling both the slippers 
to go to Hades, he stood ami watched tin- last slipper follow its mate. There 
were many nice days ami many awfully rough days and nights. Some days 
the captain would walk the deck am! call all hands to action, declaring there 
was a storm coming. Then all sails had to he taken in until the storm was 
over, then another fresh start taken and so it went until we got in sight of the 
light houses at the mouth of the entrance of the great Mississippi river, 
where we waited for tow boats to take us up the river to New ( Irleans. < )ur 
vessel drew sixteen feet of water over the sand liar at the mouth of the river. 
Our tow boat towed three ships up the river to New < 'rlcans and we landed 
at the dock at four o'clock on the morning of December u. 1844, and then 
we green horns began to see the sights. I worked at different occupations at 
New Orleans for several months and did well working, for what seemed to 
me, a poor boy, lots of money. In 1845. as there was much talk of yellow 
fever in New Orleans, 1 improved the opportunity to go up the river, le 
city and finally landed at Evansville, where I decided to stay. 1 promised 
my friend Thomas Ruston to go hack to New Orleans with him in tin 
hut being assured work as a clerk in the store of Babcock Brothers in Evans- 
ville 1 diil not go. 1 stayed with tin firm thirteen years. I began work with 
them August 4. 1845. ni . v wages bein liars a month and hoard. 

After I stayed with them three years I married Mr- th Furnas of 

Evansville and went to housekeeping and my wages were increased. 

graduall) advanced until 1 gol fifty dollars per month, wl ch 
sidered exceptionally good wages for those days. Having ed what I 

consider an exceptional offer, I went to work for M. \\ . 1 ■ 

Id warehouse thai 51 1 on what was at that time the canal, bul is now 

known as Fifth street. I remained there aboti ame up to 

Hazleton. Indiana, where I purchased from Mr. I oster a merchan- 

dise. This was in March. [862, hut 1 did not take posses 
until April of the same \ ear. 

"On the 10th of *vpril ved my family from Evansville and 

took up m\ residence al Hazleton, Indiana, am! began the mercantili 
and here I have ever since made my home. 1 was then fort) ye; 

age and will hi years next \pril if 1 li\ that day 

During the forty years 1 have lived at this place 1 have witnessed many 
changes. When I came here there was no church or Sunday school and T 



1022 GIBSON COUNTY, INDIANA. 

was lost on Sunday. When I came to Evansville and began life there Father 
Parrett and Joseph Wheeler were local preachers at the Locust street .Meth- 
odist church, and there I attended service. In i860, 1 think it was, while 
Brother Gillett was our preacher, we had a big revival meeting and many of 
the boys, myself among the number, were converted and joined the church 
and we truly enjoyed religion. So when I moved to Hazleton and found no 
devotional services to attend 1 interested myself in starting a Sunday school 
which, 1 am indeed glad to say. was very successful and is still showing a 
continued and healthy growth, both spiritually and in increased members. 
Since I came here there have been great changes tor the better. Churches 
have been established and Sunday is now a day of spiritual strength and 
thanksgh ing. 

"In conclusion I want to say to my children and my friends that I know 
that my days on earth are drawing to a close, but my mind is serene in the 
comforting thought that I have made my calling and election sure with my 
heavenly bather and 1 am now ready and waiting with all 1 have and am to 
make the change from this life to a seat in Glory 'where moth and rust doth 
not corrupt and where thieves do not break through nor steal' — there to re- 
main with my beloved ones gone lie fore — forever and forever." 

As the preceding autobiographical history of Mr. Rightly has treated in 
a general way of his life from early childhood, this sketch will deal with such 
details and matters as have not been there related. He was twice married, 
his first and second wives being sisters. They were both born in Ramsey, 
Huntingtonshire, England. The death of Mrs. Elizabeth Rightly occurred 
October 29, 18(15. and she was buried at Oak Hill cemetery, near Evansville. 
She was a most estimable woman, home loving and domestic in her tastrs, 
and her death was a bereavement indeed to her husband and family. On 
April 8, 1867. Mr. Rightly was married to Sarah Roe of Hazleton. Indiana. 
Mrs. Sarah Rightly died January 11. 1898, at her home in Hazleton. Indiana, 
and was buried at Oak Hill cemetery. She was a kind Christian woman, a 
fond wife and a loving mother and her loss was deeply felt, not only by her 
husband and family, but by all who knew- her. In each of these wives the 
husband found a true companion and helpmate and their deaths left him sadly 
bereaved. After the death of his last wife in 1898, one of his grand- 
daughters. Miss Mary V West, assumed the duties of housekeeper for his 
home. In the following August she was married to John Rnaub. and those 
two made their home with the aged man until his final summons. In this 



N FY. INDIANA. IO23 

connection it may be said that to their loving care and devotion much of the 
happiness of his latter days was due. He was I I their kindm 

care and solicitude and his interests and happiness were their first thoughl 
Coming from Evansville, where his first job of work had Keen the cl( 
ing of trees from the present site of the Union station to make way for a hay 
press, Mr. Kightly was a continuous resident of Hazleton from 1862 until 
his death, except six months in [864, when, thinking lie could better his con- 
ditions, he disposed of hi- business interests in Hazleton and engaged in the 
same line in Friendsville, Illinois. Thi iff a railroad line, he had 

freight his goods from Evansville by wagon, crossing the Wabash rivei 
Mt. Carmel, Illinois. He soon became aware that, for his bus mid 

he located on some railroad, and coming hack to H rchased 

the store he had owned there and settled down to make that place his perma- 
nent home. I faving made this decision he began to finest his savings in land 
m that section of the county and before his death he was ownei eral 

hundred acres of the best land in Gibson county. For many years Mr. 
Kightly passed his life peacefully and quietly as a country merchant, but in 
[875 his landed interests ha\ i of large proportions, he retired from 

his mercantile business and devoted his time to looking after his farm. Ever 
an anient Republican, he did nol refuse when in r8S2 his party asked him to 
fill the office of count)' commissioner, and served two terms. During his 
term in office the magnificenl count) court house at the count) seat was built 
and to his watchful care may b< credited much of the good work there is 
be sen on that building. He was the same careful, conservative business 
man when lookii fairs of the county that he was in his own 

sonal affairs, and he retired from that office with the nee and re- 

spect of all with whom he had official dealings. Mr. Kightly was ever inter- 

ed in the material progress of his home 'own. and in 1903, realizing that 
the business leton and the rich surrounding country lacked the 

vantages of a hank near at home, he was one of the first to sel about the 

iblishment of an institution oi nd. The result was thai tl ens 

Stale Bank of I lazleu m. Indiana, was f. mnded. He was elect 

1 and took an active interest in its affairs until a short time before his 
death. At the time of his death he was a member of the order of Odd 
Fellows and until his death was a stronj if the principles of that 

order. In personal nee Mr. Kightly was about five feel 

in height, weighing about one hundred and sixty-five pounds. Hi- com- 



1024 GIBSON COUNTY, INDIANA. 

plexion was normally fair, but owing to his love for outdoor life he was 
continually tanned until he had a swarthy appearance. He was always close 
shaven. He was very energetic and active and fond of walking and horse- 
back riding and it was his great pleasure in his old age to mount his favorite 
horse "Molly," a beautiful black, and ride to his farm daily. He loved his 
home and was a hospitable and entertaining host. Faithful and constant in 
his attendance at his church his life was that of an honest man who desired 
to serve his Maker and his deserving fellow men. He was a Methodist and 
gave freely of his time and means to further the advancement of that church 
and the gospel in general. He was honest in all of his dealings; was char- 
itable, but was disposed to know that his charity was well directed. He 
wanted to live in peace with all mankind and yet was quick to resent an 
attempt to perpetuate upon him a wrong. In all his dealings he tried to 
observe the precepts of the Golden Rule, nor did he look with any degree of 
charity upon a dishonest act. Personally, Mr. Rightly was sociable and 
genial with all, and. while possessed of a quick and violent temper, lie was 
quick to recover from such outbursts and, if in the wrong, to make ample 
apology. He looked on the habit of worrying as a sin and his philosophical 
advice to the man who worried might well be followed by all. To such an 
unfortunate lie would say: "Don't worry; if what you are worrying about 
can be helped, go to work and help it; if it can't be helped, what is the use of 
worrying?" No more truthful and sensible advice was ever given. 

In 1850 Mr. Rightly had taken out his naturalization papers in Vander- 
burg county, Indiana. He never returned to his English home and never 
saw any of the family of his youth except his sifter and his two brothers, John 
and Francis, who later came to this country. At his death in 1907 Mr. 
Rightly left the following surviving children: Mrs. Lucy Rightly Ennes, of 
Princeton, Indiana, wife of William S. Ennes, who served two terms as 
county treasurer of Gibson county, Indiana, being elected by the Republican 
party ; and Francis J. Rightly, one of White River township's most pro- 
gressive farmers, who lives on a splendid four-hund.red-acre farm two miles 
southwest of Hazleton, Indiana. In his later life. Mr. Rightly celebrated 
each birthday anniversary by having his children and his children's children 
meet with him to observe the day. On these occasions he delighted in gath- 
ering about him his descendants and relatives and relating humorous and 
often pathetic incidents through which he passed his younger days. He 
knew that his period on earth was drawing to a close, yet his desire as he grew 
older was to make those about him jovful and contented. Often when the 



GIBS' IN i "i \ rv, INDIANA. 

cares of the da} were heavy he would lie down upon his couch, draw 
familial' old cap down over his eyes and softly cro ng his favorite 

hymn, "Blessed be the Name of the Lord," until the tired ivould cl 

sleep would softly held him in it- tie < mbrace. 

Mr. Kightly had all his life been of rugged and sturd) constitution and 
as age fastened its ruthless hand upon the sturdy frame the vital tiss 
life began to wither and give out. His last sicl - it could 

called, was of comparatively short duration and through it all there was no 

Ffering. It was simply the quiet, invisible the mortal bi 

and the end drew gradually near. January i, 1907, he began to fail. From 
that time there was a gradual decline until he became perfectly helpl< 
though free from any suffering. His men: es remained and 

clear until within a few hours of his death. I le knew those around him and 
m it the least shadow of doubt clouded his mind as to the happy ending of the 
final summons. The la uttered on earth were a line of his 

favorite hymn, which he no doubt realized b idlest extent. "Blessei 

the Name of the Lord." At hall irning of March 

his spirit bade adieu to its mortal clay and joined the li ho had 

preceded him to the golden shore. I 1 ful and painless and 

the loved on ■ stood ab dying bd mid nol mourn as th 

who have no com fort, for they knew n rest. Another favorite hymn 

of his was "When 1 Can Read My Title Clear to Mansions in the Skies." His 
funeral took place on Thursday, thirty P. M.. and it 

one of the largesl ever held in Hazleton. It was from th. 
pal church and the services were conducted by Rev. \Y. W. Reynol 
pastor of the Meth church, assisted by the presiding elder, 

ReV. 1 >r. J. \\ , 1 him the Methodisl district, and the Rev. J. R. Edwards 

of thi 1 Baptisl church. 

The life history of Mr. Kightlv would not be complete withoul mention 
made of one who for mam year I home with him. his :er. 

Mrs. Mar) \nn Knowles. She married in England and was the mother 
three children, all of whom died in in Her marriage proving an 

happy one, sh country in r863, and from that time to her 

death si with her brother. I'\ hi tnd kindly heart 

became establish family, but of all who 

knew her. "Aunty Knowles." as she was known to all. was a mother to the 
children family, when they were indeed motherless brother 

'5) 



[026 GIBSoX COUNTY, INDIANA. 

in his many bereavements she was a tower of strength and a source of great 
comfort. She died at the home of her niece, Mrs. Lucy Ernies, at Princeton, 
Indiana, whom she was visiting in 1892, lacking one month of being eighty 
\ ears old. Her body was laid at rest at Hazleton, Indiana. 

Following is given the genealogical history of the family of Josiah 
Kightly : 

Josiah Kightly was born Januar} 31, [822; married .Mrs. Elizabeth 
Furnas, October 3, 1848. To this union were born: Francis Josiah, born 
August [3, 1849, married, first Lucinda Edwards, September 3, 1880, and 
then Delia Briner, April 28, 1903; William Roe, born August 8, 1S52. died 
May 15, 1868; Sarah Jane, born April 11, 1855, married A. V. West, May 
1, 1873, died J IU . V 1 - J 884; Mary Elizabeth, born July 9, 1858, married 
Albert Daly September 11, 1877, died December 29, [880; Samuel Roc. born 
July 9, 1858, died February to, [859; Emma Kate, born June 2, i860, died 
March 19, 1861 : John Russell, born March 7. 1863, died December 25, 1863; 
Mrs. Elizabeth Kightly. died October 29, (865, and Mr. Kightly married 
Sarah Roe, April 8, 1867. To this union were born: Lucy, born April 4, 
[869, married William Stilwell Ennes, November 12, 1889; Alice May, born 
March 19, 1872. died September 10. 1872; John William, born December 
1874, died March 11, 1875. Mrs. Sarah Kightly died January 11, [89S. 

The grandchildren of Josiah Kightly follow : To Sarah Jane and A. V. 
West were born seven children, three now living: Mrs. Mary Ann Knaub, 
Mrs. Alice May Furgerson and Josiah A. West. To Mary Elizabeth and 
ert Daly were born three children, all now deceased. To Lucy K. and 
W. S. Limes were bom four children, Vesper Dale, born March 9, 1891 ; 
Darle, born July 11, 1893; Raymond, born August 3, 1902, and died in Octo- 
ber, 1902; Lowell Kightly, born October 4, 1907. 

The marriages of Josiah Kightly' s grandchildren are as follows: Mary 
Ann West and John Knaub, August 27, 1899; Josiah A. West and Luella 
Kays, July 26, 10.02. The great-grandchildren follow: To Mr. and Mrs. 
Tosiah West, Everett, Ethel, Maud and Chester: to Mr. and Mrs. Frank 
Furgerson < iertrude May: to Mr. and Mrs. John Knaub. John and Velma. 

Fraternally. Mr. Ennes is affiliated with the Masons, being a member of 
the blue lodge at Princeton, the chapter and council, be having attained to 
the thirty-second degree, while he and his wife are members of the Order of 
the Eastern Star. Golden Fleece Chapter No. 176, at Princeton, in which 
subject is a past patron and Mrs. Ennes is a past matron. They are mem- 
bers of the First Methodist Episcopal church. 



GIBSON i . . INDIANA. 

MILLS AND GREEK I UIU.IKS. 

This is to be a hi I my ancestors and of myself and family. My 

father's family was of English descent and so r's; my fatli 

name was -Mills, and my mother's maiden name was Stapleton. 

My grandfather and grandmother iorn at Holowell. K< 

county, Maine. \l\ grandparents, Janus and Rachael (CoursonJ Mills, 
were the parents of twelve children 
whom were born in the state of Maine. They ha 

my father. Duston Mills, being the seventh son. They reared eleven of the 
twelve children to manhood and womanhood. Their eldest child was a 
daughter, named Affia ; then followed the seven sons : Bracket, Zizasa died in 
infancy, Richard. Asa, Daniel, James and Duston. The remaining children 
were Mary, John, Samuel and Caroline, the young 
Mills' immediate family. 

Aunt Affia Mills married a man in Maine, by the name of Richard 
Hussey, the progenitor of all the Husseys that I ever saw. Aunt Affia had 
thirteen children and raised them all to man's and woman's estate. 

Uncle Bracket Mills married Miss Anna Reynolds, here in Indiana. 
Uncle Richard Mills married in the state of Maine. Uncle Asa Mills married 
a Miss Delight Vandusen. Uncle Daniel Mills married a Miss Hannah 
Chapman, and lived and died here in Gibson county. Uncle James Mills 
married a Kentucky lady by the name of Mahala Hopkins. Then my father, 
Duston Mills, married Miss Louisa Stapleton and settled on a tract of eighty 
acres that his father deeded to him, and where he lived and died. ["he next 
in order in grandfather's family was Aunt Mary Mills, who married a man 
by the name of Anson White, and lived in Illinois. Late in life they re- 
moved to Iowa, where both died, leaving children, Quincy, Lewis. ; 
and Warrick. The next was Uncle John Mills, who married a Miss Eliza- 
beth Warner, and lived and died in Carmi, Illinois. Uncle Samuel Mills 
married a sister of Uncle John Mills' wife. Her name was Sarah Yarner. 
Aunt Caroline Mills, the youngest of my grandfather Mills' family, married 
a man by the name of William Coleman. They did not live to be very old. 
None of my father's family In n exceedingly old 

Grandfather Tames Mills left the state of Maine on the first of March, 
1810, for a new country. They started with wagons and teams and plunder. 
Thev traveled on west to the Genesee valley in New W>rk. arriving there 



H'jK GIBSON (.HI XIV, INDIANA. 

the last of April. Then grandfather rented a large farm and put all of the 
family to raising different crops suitable to the climate. Then grandfather, 
Uncle Richard and a dog, started on foot for Indiana and Illinois, which 
was then the far West. They were gone so long that the family, not having 
heard from them, naturally became very uneasy. About the last of August, 
the clog they started with got hack to the family in New York. They 
naturally concluded that the Indians had killed grandfather and Uncle Rich- 
ard. As the crops were all made grandmother thought best to sell off 
everything and go back to the state of Maine. 

When grandfather and Uncle Richard reached Indiana, the dog then 
left them, and so they concluded to go back to Xew York and to get the 
family together, and return to Indiana. When they got back they found 
grandmother getting ready to go hack to Maine. Grandfather sold the 
crops and started for Indiana. They traveled on to Meadville, Pennsyl- 
vania, on the Allegheny river, arriving there in ( )ctober. There they built 
family boats and embarked their teams. and goods, and the several 

families started down the Allegheny and Ohio rivers, and landed at Evans- 
ville on Xew Year's day, 1S11. There were but three houses in the place, 
which was then called Smith's Landing. They tied up at Smith's Landing 
and grandfather and Uncle Richard Hussey started to seek a location. They 
went north from Smith's Landing and located east of Princeton, but of 
course there was no Princeton then. The) stopped and looked around where 
Fort Branch is now, but went on north, where they finally located. They then 
walked to Vincennes, where the land office was then located, and entered 
their land. Grandfather took up a strip a mile and a quarter long 
by a half mile wide. Uncle Richard Hussey took a strip three- fourths 
of a mile long by one-half of a mile wide. They then returned to 
Smith's Landing, unloaded and sold their boats, and took up their march 
to possess their new land, and build their homes. Whip sawing was the only 
way people got lumber in those clays, so they made a whip saw r and sawed 
up some of the large trees they found on their land, and built their homes. 
Uncle Richard .Mills was the only one of grandfather Mills' sons who had 
married. He married in New York, at Ocean Point. He built a log cabin 
in the woods where James Hussey's old house now stands. He dug a well 
and cleared some ground. They had two sons. Uncle Richard had learned 
the cabinet trade and did not like pioneering, so he left this place and the 
last we ever heard of him he was in Canada. 

Uncle Bracket had learned to be a wood workman. L T ncle Asa and 



GIBSON < Dl \ fY, INDIANA. 



IO29 



Uncle Daniel learned tailoring, and settled in Princeton when it became a 
town. 

Uncle James was n; L fter grandfather and followed farming. 

Gram 1 father and grandmother lived with Uncle James since I can remember. 
Uncle Jame. and Aunl Mahala had two I four daughters. About the 

year [838 1, grandfather and Uncle James got the notion to have 

richer land, so they sold the home an land in Pato 

n 's bridge. They built a log house, large enough for both ; 
and in two years they were all dead of malaria, and were buried on their 
farms in the bottoms. 

Duston Mills was the seventh son in on of my grandfather's 

family, lie married Louisa Stapleton, the oldest daught : dma Staple- 

ton, als,. a pioneer of this part of Indiana. Duston .Mills was born at Holo- 
well, Kenebeck comity, in the slate of Maine, on June 5, 1804. His wife. 
Louisa, was born April 28, [808, in Ri ity, Ten Duston 

Mills and Louisa Stapleton were married in November, [827. To th< 
born tweKe children. I )n March 14, [829, there were born to 1! 1 
son and a daughter, the daughter weighing one pound and the son seven 
pounds. The son. whom they named Zyasa, died within twenty-four hours 
aider birth, while the daughter is living yet, at the seventy-seven years. 

They named the daughter Berilla. Their third child was a daughter which 
was horn February 4, (831, and was named Adelia. The fourth child was a 
daughter, born September 2, [832, and named Cecelia. The fifth child was 
born November 8, [833, and named Zelissa. The sixth child was a son. born 
January 6, [835, named Byron. Ilu- seventh child was a son, born March 20, 
1838, named Horace. The eighth child was a daughter, born August 15, 
1840, ami named Elvira. The ninth and tenth children were twins, born May 
5, iNj.v and named Mbert and Umena. The e! md twelfth children 

were twins, born November 19, [846, and named John and Mary. This 
completes thr names and ages of the Duston Mills family. 

Idle remainder of grandfather Mills' family were I 1 1 Mary, who niar- 
: \nson White, and both died in Iowa, leaving quite a family din 

Mills, who married Elizabeth \ arnor, who lived and died in 1 
They left a family of three children, (3I Samuel, who lived and died in 
Grayville, Illinois. |i famil- children. He man rah 

Varner. 1 (.) Caroline, the youngest of the twelve children of my grand- 
father Mills, married a Mr. 1 The) died young and left no family. 

The oldesl daughter, Berilla, married Joseph Greek, who was a brick 



IO3O GIBSON COUNTY, INDIANA. 

maker at the time of their marriage, but eventually became a farmer. They 
are both living at this date, August 8, 1907, and have reared a family of 
twelve children. Three children died in infancy and five are alive at the 
present time. Their eldest was a daughter, Ellen, who married John Seals. 
She died within two years after marriage, leaving a little daughter who 
soon followed her to the grave. Their second child was a son, born April 
4, 1S50, whom they named Albert Tell. He married Sarah Burchfield. He 
was killed a few years ago by stepping off a moving train, leaving his widow 
with quite a family. Their third child was a daughter named Joanna, born 
January 5, 1852, who was married when quite young, to a man by the name 
of Marshfield T. Paul. They had a daughter and son before she died. The 
fourth child, George William, was born April 18, 1854. and did October 27. 
1855. The fifth child was a son, born February 28, 1855, and named John 
Henry. The sixth child, born May 18. 1855. was Alace May. The seventh 
child was born September 29, i86n. named Abraham Lincoln. The eighth 
child, Samuel Milo, was a son, born March 6, 1863. and died October 19, 
1863. The ninth child, Kate Louisa, was born October 20. 1864,. The tenth 
child was a daughter, Margaret Adelia, born June 27, 186 died March 

12,1868. The eleventh child. Rhoda, was born January 20. 1869. The 
twelfth child was a daughter, Zelissa Mills Greek, born April 27. 1871. 

The deaths of the family of Joseph and Terilla Greek up to the present 
time (1907) are as follows: George William, October 27, 1855; Samuel 
Milo. October iq. 1863: Mary Adelia, March 12, [868; Ellen Greek Seals. 
April n, 1873; Joanna Greek Paul, October 21, 1S73; and Abraham L. 
Greek. July 8, 1876. 



WILLIAM C. HUDELSON. 

There is no positive rule for achieving success, and ye) in the life of the 
successful man there are always lessons which might well be followed. The 
man who gains prosperity is he who can see and utilize the opportunities that 
come in his path. The essential conditions of human life are ever the same, 
the surroundings of individuals differing but slightly, and when one man passes 
another on the highway of life to reach the goal of prosperity ahead of others 
who perhaps started out before him. it is because he has the power to use 
advantages which probably encompass the whole human race. Today among 
the prominent citizens and successful men of Gibson county stands William 
C. Hudelson, retired farmer and stock raiser. The qualities of keen dis- 



GIBSON COUN PY, INDIANA. IO3I 

crimination, sound judgment and executive ability enter very largely into 
his makeup and ha to the material success which 

has o ime ti i him. 

William C. Hudelson is a native of Gibson county and first saw the light 
of day on December 4. [844, on th< old Fiudelson homestead i 
township, section 22. He 1- the son of Alexander, born Februarj [6, [822, 
in Patoka township also, and he is the son of Alexander, who was born near 
Lexington, Kentucky, and who came to Gibson county as eai ls [813 or 
1814. and securing a trad of wild land, proceeded to clear it and devote his 
talents to general farming and stock raising. 1 le \ as quite successful in this 
and later retired, taking up his residence in Princeton, where he and his wife, 
who was Mary Crawford, both died. They were the paren 1 children, 

all of whom are dead: Samuel, the- eld ;ed his life in Gibson county; 

was a farmer and also a merchant and produce man at Patoka and 
was widely known: John was a farmer in Montgomery township, '•• 
county; Moses was also a farmer, whose later years were passed in Prince- 
ton, where he died: William was a farmer who went to Zenia, Illinois, and 
died there: Alexander was the father of the immediate subject of this sketch; 
Mary married the Reverend Samuel Baldrich, a minister of the Assoi 

rm church., and they made their home in di e the 

wife of ravtoii Devin and they made the I north of Prino 

Ann was the wife of }\''\i- . who lived in Princeton, and . who 

always remained at home and b her parent-. Isahelle remained un- 

married. She also look care of her niece. Mar) Ely, the 1 Ann 

Ely. 

Alexander Hudelson, father of \\'i given an 1 

cellent education for hi- day and When he 1 manh 1 he 

uter township, this county, where he 
lived for about four year-, after which hi d in different pari- of the 

county until he retired from the life of a farmer and took up his 

residence in Princeton, where he died May 11. [904. On September 7, [843, 
he was united in marriage to Julia Ann K f Ohio, horn February 5, 

1825, who -till res the advanced age of ninety. To 

their union were horn ten children, namely: William Crawford, the 
ject of this -ketch, being the first horn: Lavina Belle, horn May .;. 1846, 
died May i<>. 1846; Alexander Chalmer, horn April [8, [847, who married 
Ella Tucker and is a farmer in Center township, this county: Man' Ellen, 
born February 15. 1849, died unmarried March 02; Emma Belle, 



IO32 GIBSON COUNTY, INDIANA. 

June 21, 1851. who married T. Gillespie, of David City, Nebraska; Warren 
Stewart, born February 22, 1854, a contractor and builder at Los Angeles, 
California; James Perry, born March 23, 1856, died December 20, 1913; 
John McDill, born July 5, 1858, a minister of the Methodist Episcopal church, 
and at present located at Versailles, Indiana. His wife was Addie Hovall : 
Lucius Rolla, born April 8, [861, died December 6, 1905, a doctor of medi- 
cine, who received his education in the Philadelphia Medical College of Phila- 
delphia, Pennsylvania, and practiced in Princeton and later in Rush county, 
Indiana. Dr. L. R. married Maude Ellis. Samuel Grant, the youngest 
child of the family, was burn January 5. 1S64, and is a telegraph operator 
at Clearwater, Kansas. His wife was Mamie Yenowine. 

William C. Hudelson received his elementary education in the scho 
of Gibson county, later attending high school at Princeton and Oakland City. 
He was quite a young man at the outbreak of the ' ivil war and. tired with 
patriotism, he enlisted in the cause on February 8, [864, as a private in 
Company H, Seventeenth Regiment Indiana Volunteer Infantry. He enlisted 
under Colonel J. G. Vale and Captain James Armstrong and was assigned to 
the mounted infantry of the Army of the Cumberland. He was in several 
skirmishes and all through the Atlanta campaign and received his honorable 
discharge August 8, [865, at Macon. Georgia. After his return home from 
the army, he taught school at various places m Gibson county — Oakland 
City, Owensville, Patoka and other places. When he decided to follow 
the vocation of a farmer, he first located in Center township, later going to 
Patoka township, where for the past twenty years he has lived on what was 
originally part of the old McClure homestead. He has successfully carried 
on general farming, giving particular attention to the raising of stock. 

Politically, Mr. Hudelson is a stalwart supporter of the Republican 
party, although he has never sought office. He is a member of Archer Post. 
Xo. 2X, Grand Army 'if the Republic, at Princeton, and is an active member 
of the United Presbyterian church, while his wife is a member of the Gen- 
eral Baptist church. Mr. Hudelson is a man who stands very high indeed in 
the estimation of his friends, a man whose judgment is often sought on im- 
portant matters. He has been intrusted with the settlement of several estates 
and in the discharge of his delicate duty has met the approval of all con- 
cerned. 

Mr. Hudelson has been twice married, his first wife being Joanna Tucker, 
of Gibson county, with whom he united' in marriage April 24, [869. She 
was born March 30, [847, and died April 2, 1871. To their union was born 



GIBS' IN O . [NDIANA. IO33 

..no son, Clarence, who died July 11. 1N71. while still a babe. On May 28, 
r886, Mr. Hudelson took as his second wife Miss Nancy Virginia McClure, a 
native of Gibson county, daughter of Joseph Perry and Catherine Ann 
lure i ildren have come into their home— Anna, who 

resides at home, was graduated from the Princeton high school with the 
of 1007; FI. Earl was graduated from the Princeton high school with the 
same class as his sister Anna, later attended the Stale University ai Bl< 
ington, where in kji 1 he graduated with the d< Bachelor of Arts, and 

in [912 received the degree of Master of Art-. He is an excellent Ei 
scholar and after finishing his course at the State University at Bloomin 
he took the Doctor's degree ai the British Museum in Loncl 
now is assistant instructor in some preparatory school for boys at Port 
Deposit, Maryland, where he has been for the past tv, In addition 

to his studies and duties, he has found time to tt and has 

come to be considered a writer of promise. Laura, the youngest 

daughter of VIr. and .Mrs. Hudelson, is attending the Princeton high - 
and graduated with the class of 1913. 

The Hudelsons are one of tin foremost families of their community, 

their home being a charming center from which only g 1 influences radiate. 

Mr. Hudelson takes a commendable interest in the general welfare of the 
community and his support can always be counted upon for all me; 
which have for their object the educational, moral, social or I advance- 

ment of his fellows. Socially, Mr. Hudelson is a pleasing companion who 
endship of all wh him < H marked domestic tastes, his 

greatest enjoyment is found in his home, where, surrounded by his family, he 
passes his happiest hours. 



HUGH MALONE. 



The following is a brief sketch of the life of one who, by close at- 
tention to business, has achieved marked success in the world'- md 
risen to an honorable position among the enterprising men of the county with 
which hi- interests are identified. It 1- a plain record, rendered, remarkable 
by no strange or mysterious adventure, no wonderful and lucky a 
and no tnu de from his heroic services in the Union an 
Mr. Malone is one of those estimable characters whose integrity and strong 
personality must force them into an admirable notoriety, which their mod, 
never seeks, who command the res, -eel of their contemporaries and their 



1034 GIBSON COUNTY, INDIANA. 

posterity and leave the impress of their individuality upon the age in which 
they live. 

Hugh Malone was born August 26, 1842, in Patoka township, Gibson 
county, Indiana, the son of James and Lucinda (Key) Malone. The father 
of James Malone was also named James. Hugh Malone's grandfather mar- 
ried a Miss Hunter. The grandfather came to Gibson county at a very 
early date and settled just north of Owensville. James, Sr., had a brother 
John, who accompanied him to this county. He was a prominent man of 
his time, being known far and wide for his geniality and wit, and as a 
story teller, he was often the center of an admiring group of friends. The 
Malones were great hunters in those early days and their table was always 
supplied with the best game of which there was an abundance. In later 
years. James Malone, Sr., lived with his son, Absalom, in the northeast part 
of Owensville, his death occurring while he was residing there. In his early 
life he was at one time captured by the Indians and forced to run the gauntlet, 
composed of two rows of redskins, armed with club; and whips, his body 
bearing marks of this experience to his dying day. To James Malone, Sr., 
were born six sons and one daughter: The subject's father was born in Lex- 
ington, Kentucky; Thomas, a blacksmith, lived in Owensville and Posey- 
ville, Indiana; John, a farmer in Montgomery township; Al was a physi- 
cian, preacher and store keeper, at Palestine, Illinois, where he was quite 
prominent; Elijah lived at Owensville: Eliza married William Matthews, 
a tailor, at Owensville; Parmelia married Owen Jones, a carpenter and 
expert wood worker, of Owensville. James Malone, Sr., and wife were 
members of the Baptist church. 

James Malone, the father of Hugh, came to Gibson county with his 
parents when he was but three years old, and lived in this locality until 
his death in his sixty-eighth year. On reaching mature years he worked 
for nine years, at the wage of nine dollars a year, his employer being John 
Browder. At the end of this time he purchased a suit of clothes at an out- 
lay of three dollars, the suit lasting three years. He was united in marriage 
to Lucinda Key, of Kentucky, and settled in the Stone neighborhood, in 
Montgomery township, later removing to the Robb farm north of Prince- 
ton, where Hugh was born. To the subject's parents were born the fol- 
lowing children : ( 1 ) John is a physician. As a baby he was rocked in a 
cradle made from a sugar trough. He attended school at Greencastle and 
studied medicine under Doctor West, after which he took up the practice of 
his profession and made it his life work. He was an orderly sergeant in the 



GIBSON C01 NTY, [NDIANA. IO35 

Forty-second Regiment Indiana Volunteer Infantry, but on account of disa- 
bility was discharged. He died in [892. His wife's maiden name 
Harriet Trippett. (2) William was a farmer in Patoka township. He was 

the victim of an accidenl which caused his death. In cutting curd w 1. he 

ran to get from under a falling tree and fell on an axe, so seriously injuring 
himself that his death resulted. (3) Hugh is the subject of this review. 
(4) Cynthia, deceased, married William M. Boswell and they lived in Gib- 
son county; (5) Annie, decease the wife of Isaac Mounts and li 
in Patoka township. The subject's parents were faithful members of the 
Baptist church. His father was a Democrat. 

The exceedingly limited early education of Mr. Malone was secured 
in the little log house of pioneer times, and he remained on the home place 
assisting in the farm work until his enlistment in the Union army, on August 
11, 1862. He became a member of Company B, Sixty-fifth Regiment Indiana 
Volunteer Infantry, recruiting at Princeton, and under the command of 
Captain Stilwell, Col ant-Colonel Johnson. The com- 

mand to which Mr. Malone was attached was sent to Evansville, Indiana, 
first being a part of the Twenty-third Army Corps, ai 

battles and innumerable skirmishes is one to be proud of. From Evansville 
they were dispatched to Henderson. Kentucky, and then up the Green River 
valley to Schuylersville, returnii quently to Elendei n rth 

of that year the command was mounted and sent to Knoxville, Tennessee. 
From that place their operati far as Bristol, Virginia, thei 

ing engaged at Smoky Mountain and Cumberland Gap. After being dis- 
mounted thev took part in the great \tlanta campaign, and finally at the 
close of hostiliti part in the Grand Review, at Washington, in April. 

1863. After the review Mr. Malone w 
Carolina and was mustered out on June 9, 1S65. am l returned to his home. 

September 7, 1865. Mr. Malone was married to Nancy C. Prichett, 
Harris, ,n county. Indiana, the daughter of John L. and Ma 
Prichett. he a native of North Carolina, and she of Indiana 
Pritchett came to Indiana in 1862 and, in connection with farming opera- 
tions, ran a mill and followed the cooper's trade. He was a very handy 
man with tools and his services were much in demand. He was a hard 
working and prosperous man. and at the time of his death was the owner 
of considerable valuable land. His wife afterwards lived with her son I high. 
until her death. To John L. Prichett and wife were born fourteen children, 
namelv: Wesley, of Floyd county. Indiana; Jat lw mill at 



GIBSON COUNTY, INDIANA. 

Fitzgerald, Georgia; Airs. Hugh Malone; Frank, Jane and George, deceased; 
Bell, of Gibson county; Tena and Lydia, deceased; Charles, of Knox county, 
Indiana: Andy, resident of Gibson county: Annie, deceased, and Lucinda, of 
Gibson county. 

To Hugh Malone and wife have been born the following children: (i) 
Lewis, of Fvansville, Indiana, who married Stella Redburn, now 
deceased, and to them were born two children. Rescue, deceased, and Leafy 
G., the wife of Ralph Zimmerman ; (2) Will F., who died at the age of thirty 
six. married Theodosia Decker and they were the parents of three children. 
Charlotte, May and William H.; Will 1*". was a farmer, logger and thresher- 
man: (3) Gertrude, who married Edward Weisgarber, a farmer and gard- 
ener of Montgomery county, and they were the parents of six children. 
Gladys, Herbert. Ruby, Isabelle, Rudolph and Delbert. 

.After their marriage Mr. and Mrs Malone located on his father's old 
homestead, in Patoka township, for seven years, and then went west over- 
land with a team to Shawnee county, Kansas, where they remained for one 
year, returning thereupon to Gibson county and resuming the operation of 
the old home place. Air. Malone, after another year, purchased thirty- 
seven acres of land from Thomas Morton, which he later sold and then 
bought his present fine home place at "Taft Town," just northeast of Prince- 
ton, where he has since engaged in gardening and the raising of fine fruit. 

Air. ATalone is a member of the Grand. Army of the Republic, while 
his religious affiliation is with the General Baptist church. 



JOHN BIEGFU 

A review o\ the life of the honored subject of tins memoir must of 
necessity lie brief and general in its character. To enter fully into the inter- 
esting details of the career of the late John Bieger. touching the struggles of 
his early manhood and the success of his later years, would far transcend 
the limits of this article. He filled a large place in the ranks of the active, 
energetic and public-spirited citizens of his day and generation, and the 
memories which attach to his name and character form no inconsiderable 
chapter in the history of his adopted home, where he did his work and 
achieved his success. 

|ohn Bieger was a native of Germany, born in Hessen. Darmstadt, Ger- 
many, March 2. 1833. and died at his home in Princeton, January 14, 1912. 



GIBSON COUNTY, INDIANA. 

His father and mother both died when he was quite young and he was 
iiglu up by his grandparents eceived an excellent education in the 

old country, the gra , for the priesthood. However, 

the thought of America and its opportunities was attractive to him and when 
he \va> eighteen years old he set sail for this country. He took out his 
naturalization papers in 1857. After landing in America, he came almost di- 
tly to Princeton, Indiana, and secured employment with a Mr. Boswell in 
his blacksmith shop, where he was to learn the trade, lie remained with 
Air. Boswell oral years and later hail n on the corner 

of Prince and Broadway streets, in Princeton, in which he did a thriving 
business I many ) ire he retired. He arrived in Princeton 

wholly without friends and unable k the English language, and in 

a comparatively short time he learned the blacksmith trade, and in a few 
years had the largest carnage and buggy blacksmith shop in the county. : 
his business increasi ipidly th; as many as twenty-live 

men at times and operated four and five forges. In 1887 he also started 
a dairy business, am on, who manages the business today, has a fine 

herd of full bloi 1 k and 11: .mi 

in a large and increasing pain mage. Mr. Bieger had unusual business ability. 
and coupled with that, his undoubted honest}' and integrity placed him high 
in the estimation of his fellow business men as well as all others with wl 
he came in contact. 

John Bieger was twice married. His first wife was Susan Boswell 
Princeton, and after her death he married Alary R. kichcy. of tl nty, 

a daughter of Chadwick and Matilda (DePriest) kichcy. The Riche) family 
were originally from Tennessee and were among the early settlers of Gib- 
county. The parents (bed whet ger was a small child. 
John Bieger and his wife. Alary, were born three children: a child which 
died in earliest infancv; William, who also died when small, and Van, v 
was born in Princeton, and has lived here practically all his life. Van received 
his education in the schools of Pr and whi ig man 
desman for Wolfe e\; Company, Welborn & Moser and Aha Levi, of 
Princeton. He continued in this line until it devolved upon him I 
of the business his father had built up. - ich time he has been 
it the same i ceived from his father. 

On January 21, 1007, Van Bieger was united in man Judith 

Long, of St. Louis, Missouri, daughter e \Y. and Adeline (Chenne- 

WO rth) I 1 Shawneetown, Illinois. The father vva er who 



IO38 GIBSON COUNTY, INDIANA. 

died in 1901 ; the mother died in 1900. To Van Bieger and wife has been 
born one child, Alvena, born April 14, 1908. 

John Bieger was one of the patriotic sons of the United States who, 
tin ugh foreign born, was anxious to >how his love for his adopted country 
an 1 early in the Civil War he enlisted in Company A, Eightieth Regiment 
Indiana Volunteer Infantry, and served three years as wagon master. At 
the close of the war. he returned to Princeton and resumed his business. All 
through life, Mr. Bieger was a devout communicant of the Catholic church 
and gave liberally of his time and means to its support. He was also a 
member of Archer Post, No. 28. Grand Army of the Republic, at 
Princeton. John Bieger, by his industry and perseverance, together with 
right principles of living, raised himself from a poor boy to a position of 
affluence and became the head of a family known throughout Gibson county, 
liked and respected by all. In every community are to be found individuals 
who, by reason of pronounced ability and forceful personality, rise su- 
perior to the majority and command the homage of their fellows. Of this 
class was John Bieger. whose life on earth is closed, but who still lives 
in the hearts that love and respect him and in his works here on earth. 



R. L. HUSSEY. 



Specific mention is made of many of the worthy citizens of Gibson 
count}- within the pages of this work, citizens who have figured in the growth 
and development of this favored locality and whose interests have been 
identified with its every phase of progress, each contributing in his sphere of 
action to the well being of the community in which he resided and to the 
advancement of its normal and legitimate growth. Among this number is he 
whose name appears above, peculiar interest attaching to his career from 
the fact that practically his entire life has been passed within the borders 
of this county. 

R. L. Hussey, well known throughout southern Indiana as traveling 
salesman and manager of S. M. Hess & Bro.. of Philadelphia, manufacturers 
of fertilizer, was born October 26, 1850, on his father's homestead in Cen- 
ter township, Gibson county. His paternal grandfather was Richard Hussey, 
originally of Lebanon, Maine, born May 24, 1789. and died April 15, 1851. 
On October 4, 181 1, he was united in marriage to Aphia Mills in Belgrade 
township. Kennebec county. Maine. She was born January 27, 1791, and 



N 1 Y. l.\l>I \X.\. IO39 

died May 29, [841. Their family comprised thirteen children, as follows: 
Elbridge M., born in Belgrade township, k county, Maine, July 9, 

1812, died April 15, 1878; Julian Page, born in Rome, Maine, January 22, 
1814; Zachariah, born in Leb laine, October 25, [815; James Madis 

born June 8. 1817, in mty, M; 

of the immediate subject of this ski 

Washington county, Ohio; Mi-el Alexander Hamilton, horn in Washington 
county, Ohio, November u ml. born July 26, 1822. in 

Gibson county. Indiana; Clara, born in Gibson county 1, 1824; 

Charles Wellington, horn in Gibson county, May [8, [826; Elizabeth Ann, 
born in Gib- ity, April 11, [828; Richard Perry, born in Gibson county, 

April (., .Martha M., horn in Gib nty, March 24. 1833; Aphia 

Louisa, born in Gibson county, October 15. [835. 

When, in [817, Richard rlussej and wife left their home in Kennebec 
county, Maine, to try their fortunes further west, their family comprij 
four children. They first li n Washington county, Ohio. He was 

cabinet maker by trade and wa lered an unusually fine workman in 

those days when all furniture was hand-mi 

and skilful with all kind ols. In 1821 they left Oh Gib- 

son county. Indiana, and located about live miles east of Princeton in ('enter 
township. He secured a tract of wild Land which he o ear, put 

up a cabin home and a blacksmith shop the family lived for several 

years, the mother dying on the place. I came from near and far to 

have him do work for them and in this way he formed a wide acquaintance 
and no man was better known or more respected in his day. 

Tame-- Madison Hussey, son of Richard Hussey .and father of the sub- 
ject of this sketch, was one of the children of the family born in Maine and 
iugh1 when a young child to Ohio and later to Gibson county. In his 

youth he received but limited schooling, owing to the ] r opportunil 

fered, and being one of the oldesl children of the family, much of the work 
about the home-lead fell to hi- lot. Tie remained at home until he married, 
when he rented part of his father'- farm and later bought «l of it. 

His wife was Sarah Patterson, born September 2, [827, in Allegheny county. 
Pennsylvania, a daughter of Robert and 1 Patterson. When 

Sarah was but a small child, her parent- left their home in Pennsylvania ami 
came to Xenia. Ohio, later coming on to Gibson county, Indiana, whi 
they settled in ("enter township near the Hussey homestead. The father died 
shortly after their arrival in Gibson county. There were four children in 



IO4O GIBSON COUNTY, INDIANA. 

the family : James, who lived in Princeton ; Harriet, who married a Mr. 
Shaw, went back to Pennsylvania and died there; Sarah, who became the 
wife of James Madison Hussey, and Samuel, who died in Center township. 

To James Madison Hussey and wife were born the following children: 
Henry \Y., born November 15, 1845. m Gibson county, a farmer of Canada, 
married Mollie J. Harberson October 13, 1869; Robert Dale Owen, born in 
Gibson county May 16, 1848, married Eliza J. McClellan December 15, 1870. 
He was in the Civil War, serving three years in Company D, One Hundred 
and Twentieth Regiment Indiana Volunteer Infantry. His death occurred 
May 3, 1877, and his widow married the second time L. B. Wallace, a drug- 
gist at Francisco, Indiana. The third child was Richard Louis, the subject 
of this sketch; Franklin C, born in Gibson county January 15, 1852, died 
November 29, 1855, at the age of three years; Etta Elmira, born in Gibson 
count}- April 10, 1855. married Alonzo C. Dilday, of Princeton, on Septem- 
ber 25, 1873; James M., born in Gibson county March 11, 1857, a farmer 
on part of the old Hussey homestead in Center township, married Isabelle 
Ingram November io, 1880; Joseph Devin, born in Gibson county August 
1. 1859. a retired farmer residing in Princeton, whose first wife was Jermi- 
mah E. McFetridge, married August 22, 1S83, and whose second wife was 
Rose Langford; Arabella M., born in Gibson county June 23, 1862, married 
in September, i88t, the widow of Pane M. Eby, of Warrick county, Indiana. 
He was a farmer and died December 8. 1898. leaving two children, Earl 
Hussey and Allen Dale. 

James Madison Hussey, father of this interesting family, devoted his 
energies to agriculture and owned and operated a flour mill and a sawmill 
before the war on the banks of the Patoka river at Kirksville, now known as 
Wheeling. On August n, 1862, he took up arms in the Civil War, enlisting 
in Company B. Sixty-fifth Regiment Indiana Volunteer Infantry, as first 
lieutenant. He did not live long after leaving home and died on November 
2d of the same year at Henderson, Kentucky. The body was brought home 
and interred in Lawrence cemetery with all the honors of war. The widow 
continued to make her home on the old place until her death, March 18, 1898. 
She was of a deeplv religious temperament, an earnest work in church circles 
and a consistent member of the United Presbyterian church for fifty-five 
vears. She was a wi >man much loved and respected by all and spared no ef- 
fort to rear her family in a proper manner. 

R. L. Hussey received his elementary education in the public schools of 
Gibson county, later attending- the Oakland City Normal School. He fitted 



COUNTY, [NDIANA. 1041 

himself for a teacher in the pub! .Is and for seven years followed this 

vocation. He went to Francisco, Indiana, and served as trustee of Center 
township for two year.-. Also for eleven year- he was railroad and express 
agent for the old "Air Line" railroad at Francisco and built the first de 
at that place. He also had charge of the mail. In addition to these duties he 
was a grain dealer and owned a half interest in a hardware store in partner- 
ship with Samuel McConnell, where, in addition to the regular line, he was 
agent for a complete line of farming tool- and implements. He also at one 
time had a Hour and feed mill there. Tie was nominated for county auditor 
on the Democratic ticket in i8q_\ but was defeated. IK- removed from Fran- 
cisco to Princeton and in 1S96 was again a candidate for the office of county 
auditor and again met defeat, both times on account of the Republican party 
having an overwhelming majority in the county. He has always taken an 
active interest in politics an much for his party. In 1897 he be- 

came connected with S. M. lie-- & Bro. of Philadelphia, as elsewhere stated, 
and this connection has been in force for the past sixteen years. Mr. Hussey 
is a man of ability and tireless energ) and stands as an example of what a 
Ling man with del md right principles c h alone and 

unaided. Each year of his life has placed him higher in the estimation of his 
large circle of friends and acquaintances and he is well worthy the high es- 
teem in which he is held. Mr. Hussey has been a member oi 
Independent Order 1 mi since 1805 •'" 

all of the chairs in the local lodge. He was also made camp district deputy 
grand patriarch of Gibson county for the national enl held in In- 

dianapolis in 191 1. IK the Daughters 1 I Rebekah, 

an'.- degree in < hip. 

Air. Hussey has been twice married. In 1880 he was united in . 
with Luella May Whiting, of Fr; Indiana, a daugh 

Whiting, of Francisco, who died Vugusl 5, 1 >rn 

two children, nameh 1 Ray, the wife ■ E. Md 1 en- 

castle, Indiana, parent- of one child, Mary Ella, and Dora Edna, who ,' 
at the ag( 6, Mr. Hussey was marr 

Amelia Beck, of Princeton, daughtet ntine and Catherine (Hi 

man) Beck, natives of Germany. They cat 
young and. unmarried, their marriage taking pla< 

maker in his earlier d later a ant in Princeton until tS 

His death occurred in [908 and his wife -till lives in Princeton. 
(66) 



I O42 GIBSON" COUNTY. INDIANA. 

Mrs. Amelia Hussey was born in Princeton on Vpril 2Q. i860 Mr. and 
Mrs. Beck were the parents of several children, of whom Amelia is 
the present Mrs. Hussey. To Mr. Hussey, by his second marriage, have come 
three children: Ruth Lucile, born July 8. [898; Richard Louis, Jr., born May 
20, 1 901, and Helen Amelia, born January 31, 1903. Their home is a pleas- 
ant center for the life of the neighborhood, the family being right fuly num- 
bered among the leading ones of the community. 



W. A. BARNETT. 



It is by no means an easy task to describe within the limits of this re- 
view a man who has led an active and eminently useful life and by his own 
rtions reached a point of honor and trust in the line of industries with 
which his interests are allied. But biography finds justification, nevertheless, 
in the tracing and recording of such a life history, as the public claims a 
certain property interest in the career of every individual, and the time in- 
variably arrives when it becomes desirable to give the right publicity. It is, 
then with a certain degree of satisfaction that the chronicler essays the task 
of touching briefly upon such record as has been that of the subject who now 
comes under this review. 

W. A. Barnett, well-known business man and agriculturist of Gibson 
county, is the son of Robert and Mary Harnett and was born August 24, 
1859, on the family homestead about a mile and a quarter southwest of 
I La/.!eton. 1 fe received his early education in the district schools of the county 
and early showed his unusual business ability, for at the tender age of twelve 
or thirteen years, with the assistance of his mother, from whom he probably 
inherited his business ability, he rented and conducted successfully a large 
farm. Wishing to engage in other lines of activity later, be gave his atten- 
tion to different enterprises, among them being a grocery store and later an 
hotel. In [880 he decided to take charge of the old homestead, which ha 
come into his possession, part of which he had inherited through the death 
of his parents and the rest he had acquired by buying out the interests of 
other heirs. He was as eminently successful in this enterprise as in others, 
but was not content to confine his activities to that vocation. After a few 
years he became associated with the Challenge Wind Mill and Feed Mill Com- 
pany of Batavia, Illinois, and for ten years was their general state agent 
for Indiana. In connection with this work he had tried to continue the oper- 
ation of his farm, but finding the various interests too much to handle, he 



GIBSON COUNTY, INDIANA. I043 

removed his family to Hazleton in 1897. '" February of 1903 he purchased 
a building on Mill street, Hazleton, from 1'. X. Davidson, and in this build- 
ing placed a lull line oi farm tools and machinery. 1 1 i ^ success in this en- 
deavor can not be questioned, yet he again longed for the life of the farm, 
and in 190; returned to his homestead and the vocation of farming, where 
he has since remained, lie engages 111 general farming along modern meth- 
ods, and in addition t" this, gives particular attention to raising seed corn 
for the market. lie is the only licensed corn judge in Gibson county and is 
a member of the Purdue staff. Mr. Barnett originated and furnished the 

he first boys' corn 1 ntest held in Gibson county, Januarj 
1911, at Princeton. The picture of the buy-, who rl in the contest are 

found elsewhere in tin-- volume, as well as an article on the contest, lie also 
raises considerable live stock of good I d is in every respect a 

thoroughly successful and up-to-date agriculturist. 

On November 14, 1888, Mr. Barnett was united in marriage with Carrie 
Beck, of Princeton, daughter of .Martin and Mary 1 Eml ck, the for- 

mer a native of ( >hio and she of (, their union have been 

born eight children, the eldest id" whom. Arthur, is engaged in farming in 
White River township in tin- county. Mary, while engaged in teaching in the 
public schools of Hazleton. make- her home with the parents, as do also the 
re-t of the family, namely: Sarah E., Wilbur. Martha. Miriam. Zelia and 
Chester. The family is considered one of the foremost in their community 
and beneath their hospitable roof there is always a warm welcome for friend 
and ca-ual guest alike. 

Politically, Mr. Harnett is a Democral and while he does not seek office 
for himself, his influence is counted ose who do seek that honor. 

Hi- religious membership is with the Cumberland Presbyterian church, to 
whose support he gives of his means, llis fraternal affiliation is with the 
tune-honored bod) of free and. Accepted Masons, being a member of blue 
lodge No. (.20; In- is also a member of the -cut Order of < )<},] 

low-. No. 389, at Hazelton, and the Modern YV01 - 

avenue of life's activities he has performed his part to the best of his ability, 
believing that anything worth doing at all is worth doing well, the result 
beine that he ha md retains t< hie degree the confidence and re- 

spect of all who know him. He has a large number of a. 
whom are many loyal, stanch and devoted fi nd wherever he goes he 

receives a hearty welcome. Because of his high personal character and his 
genuine worth a- a man and citizen, he is illy entitled to mem 

in a work of this character. 



1044 GIBSON COUNTY, INDIANA. 

HENRY SUHLING. 

It is proper to judge of the success and status of a man's life by the esti- 
mation in which he is held by his fellow citizens. They see him at his worn, 
in his family circle, in his church, at his devotions, hear his views on public 
cruestions, observe the outcome of his code of morals, witness how he con- 
ducts himself in all the relations of society and thus become competent to 
judge of his merits and demerits. After a long course of years of such ob- 
servation, it would be out of the question for his neighbors not to know his 
worth, because as has been said "Actions speak louder than words." In this 
county there are nothing but good words heard for the subject of this sketch, 
a man born on a foreign soil and who, after much wandering, has taken up 
his abode in Gibson county and by his honor, integrity and sterling worth has 
placed himself in an enviable position in the regard of his community. 

Henry Suhling is a native of Kessel, near Moscow, Russia, where he 
was born on August 4, 1831, the son of Henry and Ann Adelade (Brining) 
Suhling, she a native of Russia and he a native of Germany. The father 
was a man of vast learning, a doctor and lawyer, and possessed of consid- 
erable landed interests. There wore nine children in the family, all of vvh 
were brought up in the faith of the Lutheran church. They emigrated to 
Germany when the subject was three years old. The parents and the rest of 
the children always remained in Germany, but Henry, subject of this sketch, 
together with his brothers, John and Albert, emigrated to this country. It 
was on March 12, 1845, that Henry Suhling bade farewell to his parents and 
set out to take passage for America. He was enabled to work for his passage 
over and earned six dollars in addition. The vessel was six weeks in crossing, 
but finally reached the harbor at New Orleans. Then began a period of travel 
for the young emigrant, during which he was in fourteen states and worked 
at various employments. In January of 1861 he was at St. Louis, Missouri, 
where he enlisted in Company C, First Missouri Regiment, under command 
of General Rosecrans. He served in the army for three years, receiving his 
honorable discharge in 1865. After the close of the war he was for a time 
in New York City, Cincinnati, Ohio, Evansville, Indiana, and different places 
and finally came to Gibson county. He had been here once before, in 1848, 
when he had visited an uncle and had worked as a farm hand on the farm 
which later came into his possession. 

In 1868 he united in marriage with Catherine Weaver, a native of Penn- 
sylvania, who died March 13, 1910, at the age of seventy-nine years and 



(SON COUNTY, INDIANA. I045 

thirteen days. He has always been a farmer and after lie settled in Gibson 
county he secured ninety acres of land which served as a nucleus of his pres- 
ent possessions, one hundred and sixty acres of valuable land in Patoka 
township, lie has always followed up-; nethods in managing his farm 

and has been equally successful in stock raising. I" him and his wife were 
born three children: Henrj I., who farms on the old homestead in Patoka 
township; Clara Catherine, wife of Philip Brakmeier, a farmer of Patoka 
township and mother of two children, Emma : 

unmarried, who is associated with hi- brother on the home place. Some 
years ago Mr. Suhling retired from an active life. He is a man wonderfully 
preserved fi >r his years, with an excellent memory, and who has many in- 
teresting things to tell of his earlier experiences. 

Mr. Suhling is a member of the Lutheran church, as was also his wife 
and children. He is also a member of the time honored Grand Army of the 
Republic and in every relation of life -lands high in public 1 
a worthy representative of that foreign-born element which has played such 
an important part in the rid is well entitled to 

representation in this work. He has always been actively interested in every- 
thing which tended to promote the development of the community and has 
been confidently counted on at all time- to indorse any progressive measures 
and to uphold everything which si >r the best ii of the people. 

During his long residence here he has not only gained the confidence of his 
fellow business men, but as a man of force of character, upright and 1 
in his dealings with his fellow citi has gained the esteem id" all who 

know him and ha- .1 great number of warm personal friends. 



(11 \KI.KS K. PARRETT. 

It is with pleasure that the biographer has an opportunity to place be- 
fore the readers of this work the life record of the honorable genti 
whose name initiates this paragraph, for he is deemed eminently worthy of 
representation along with the best and most industrious citizen- of Gibson 
county, owing to the fact that he belongs to the energetic and enterprising 
class that has made this favored section one of the mosl noted and richesl in 
the great Hoosier state. Enjoying distinctive prestige a- a farmer, he has 
achieved marked success, while his practical intelligence, mature judgment 



[O46 GIBSON COUNTY, INDIANA. 

and sound business principles have had much to do in molding public senti- 
ment in the community where he has long maintained his home. 

Charles K. Parrett, who, for the past twenty-five years, has resided on 
his fine farm of three hundred acres in White River township, Gibson county, 
is a native of this county. He was born on May 4, 1867, a son of R. M. and 
Ann E. ( Hudleson) Parrett, both natives of the Hoosier state and she of 
White River township. R. M. Parrett came to Gibson county before there 
were any railroads completed in this section of the state. He desired to at- 
tend DePauw University, then known as Asbury College, at Greencastle, 
Indiana, and made the journey from his home in Evansville to Greencastle 
on horseback. There he studied theology and was later ordained a minister 
in the Methodist Episcopal church. He was well known throughout Gibson 
county, having followed his calling in various sections. To him and his wife 
were born ten children, of which the subject of tbis sketch is the eighth in 
t 1 if birth. 

( harles K. Parrett received his elementary education in the common 
schools of Gibson county, later attending the normal school at Danville, In- 
diana. On February 23, 1888, he was united in marriage to Anna Robb, 
daughter of David and Phoeba A. Robb, born February 23, 1866. To their 
union were born three children, namely: Nora, wife of Ross Key, who re- 
sides on a farm in Patoka township, Gibson county; Eva M., at home, and 
Ruth, the youngest daughter, who is attending high school. 

As an agriculturist, Mr. Parrett is numbered among the best in the 
county, his thorough methods and up-to-date ideas marking him as a man of 
mature judgment, and wise discrimination. lie is a man of good business 
principles and has so conducted his affairs as to reap a gratifying return for 
his labor. He is a man who takes an interest in the financial affairs of his 
neighbors and friends and his advice and material assistance is often sought 
along tin's line. In addition to carrying on general farming along modern 
methods, he pays special attention to raising high grade cattle and hogs. The 
farm he occupies is his old family homestead, endeared through many years' 
assi iciations. 

Mr. Parrett is a stanch Republican of the old school and has taken an 
active interest in politics, while not wishing office for himself. The family 
takes a part in the affairs of the Methodist Episcopal church, of which Mr. 
Parrett is a member, and does much to further the interests of that societv. 

Because of the part Mr. Parrett has taken in the upbuilding and progress 
of the community, he has merited the high esteem in which he is held amone 



\ IV. INDIANA. 

his fellow men. He has given his support to all movements which have had a 
ncy to advance the moral, educational or social interests of the people 
and among those who know him best, h if the best men in 

this section of the county. 



BYRON S. SI' A IX. 



I i write the personal record of men who have raised themselves fr 
humble circumstana ml trust in a community 

is no ordinary pleasure. Self-made men. men who have achieved sue 
reason of their personal qualities and left the impress of their individuality 
upon the business and growth of their place of residence and affect for g. 
such institutions as are embraced in the sphere of their usefulness, unwittii 
Iy, perhaps, build monuments more enduring than marble obelisk or granite 
shaft. Of such, we believe, is the gentleman whose name appears above. 

Byron S. Spain, who owns two hundred and sixty ai ited 

land in White River township, Gibson county, 

quietly in his comfortable home, is a native of Gibson county, born within its 
borders on December 12, 1849. lie is a son of William A. and Jemima 
( McFetridge) Spain, both of whom were nal ounty. William 

A. Spain was am. nig the earliest chil. >rn in this county, and passed his 

entire life lure. I [e was burn May 4, iber, [886, hav- 

ing been engaged in farming all his life. The death of his wife occurred 
in April. [911. They were the parent.- of eleven children, of which the im- 
mediate subject of this sketch is the 

Byron S. Spain received his the 

county and remained under the parental roof until he reached maul 1. 

When quite young he began to assist his father in his farm work, and I 
always continued in this line of business, llis present spaciou ire well 

cared for; he employs up-to-date methods in carrying on hi- work, and Ins 
suco ests his ability as an agriculturist. I arrying on general 

farming and the bus idem to the successful operation of such a farm, 

he pays particular attention to the raising 1 of short horn 

cattle dale horses and Pol; 

May 1. [872, Mr. Spain was united in marriage with Arvilla Decker. 
a daughter of Henry and. Margaret (Thompson) Meek their union 

have been born seven children, namely: Margaret, tin- wife .if David Hazel- 
ton, who resides in Dalhart. 'Texas; Fred, who iged in farming in 



tOaS GIBSON COUNTY, INDIANA. 

White River township; William W., who resides in Rockport, Indiana, and 
is cashier in the bank there; Nellie D., wife of E. E. Curtner, of Hazleton, 
Indiana; Allen G. C, who lives on the farm with his parents and assists in 
operating the farm; Bessie, who married Wilbur Fisher, of Patoka, Indiana, 
and Ruth, who remains at home. 

Air. Spain is a stanch Democrat, one who has always taken an interest 
in the affairs of his party and while not desiring office for himself, his in- 
fluence is considered of value by those who have such ambitions. There is 
much that is commendable in his life's record, for he has been found true 
to every relation of life, and while energy and untiring industry have been 
>alient features of his career, he is equally well known fur his uprightness 
and the honorable methods he has always followed, and for his loyalty to 
any trust imposed in him. Because of his genial and unassuming disposition 
and his genuine worth, he enjoys a well deserved popularity throughout his 
part of the county. 



DAVID VV. HULL. 



In a brief sketch of any living citizen, it is difficult to do him exact and 
impartial justice, not so much, however, for lack of space or words to set 
forth the familiar and passing events of his personal history, as for the want 
of the perfect and rounded conception of his whole life, which grows, de- 
velops and ripens, like fruit, to disclose its truest and best flavor only when 
it is mellowed by time. Daily contact with the man so familiarizes us with 
his virtues that we ordinarily overlook them and commonly under-estimate 
their possessor. It is not often that true honor, public or private, comes to a 
man without basis in character and deeds. The world may be deceived by 
fortune, or by ornamental or showy qualities, without substantial merit, and 
may render to the undeserving a fortuitous and short-lived admiration, but 
the honor that wise and good men value and that lives beyond the grave 
must have its foundation in real worth, for "worth maketh the man." Not 
a few men live unheralded and almost unknown beyond the narrow limits of 
the city or community where their lots are cast, who yet have in them, if 
fortune had opened to them a wider sphere of life, the elements of character 
to make statesmen or public benefactors of world-wide fame. Compared 
with the blazon of fame, which some regard as the real seal or stamp of 
greatness, there is a lowlier and simpler, and yet true standard whereby to 
judge them and fix their place in the regard of their fellow men. During his 



GIBSON . [NDIANA. IO49 

life of sixty years in Gibson county, its people have had means to know what 
manner of man David W. Hull is. The record of testimony is ample that he 
is a good citizen in the full sense of the term, and worthy of honor and 1 
trust, ever doing worthily and well whatever he puts his hand i 
encomium worthy of being coveted by every man. 

David H. Hull was born in Gibson county, Indiana. February 11. 18 
the son of John and Nancy J. (Stormont) Hull, she a native of (i 
county and he of Boston, Massachusetts. In 1835, when a boy, John Hull 
was brought by his parents to Princeton, Indiana, and passed the most of his 
life in this county. He spent nine years of his life in New Orleans, where he 
went to school and studied French. He attended the early subscription s< 
in Princeton and upon reaching years of matin '. up the vocation of a 

fanner. To him and his wife wen I Libject 

of this sketch is the oldest. Mr. Hull comes of a family whose history is in- 
terwoven with the earlier history of Gibson county. His great-great-grand- 
mother, Mary Boyd by name, lived to the unusual age of one hundred and 
six years, and was the first person to be interred in the old Archer cemetery. 

David W. Hull received his elementary education in the district schools 
of the county, later attending a commercial school at Evansville, Indiana, 
where lie finished his course in 1874. Soon after returning home, he wa 
ployed as a bookkeeper by James Little, where he remained until in 1878, 
when he 1 in farming in the Wabash valley. In 1885 Mr. Hull pur- 

chased one hundred acres of well located land in White River township, 
which served as a nucleus for his present possessions. 1 le now has seven hun- 
dred and fifty-five acres, and the manner in which he conducts his business 
as an agriculturist attests his ability as a man of foresight and correct judg- 
ment. He raises graded Shorthorn cattle and Duroc Jersey hogs and is one 
of the largest melon growers of the county. Of the many acres which he 
owns. Mis. Hull claims the distinction of having purchased seventy with 
money she had earned teaching school. In addition to his interests on his 
place, Mr. Hull is al iged in the banking business at Patoka. lb- 

is a heavy stockholder in the Patoka National Bank of Patoka, Indiana, of 
which institution he has also been pr< For the last three years. 

On March 8, 1882, Mr. Hull was united in marriage with Vnna \nt. 11. 
daughter of |ohn and Nancy (Harbison 1 Antell. and to their union has 
born one child. Inhn F.. whn was given a good education, finishing "at the 
agricultural department of Purdue University at Lafayette. Indiana. On 
October I. 1913. he was united in marriage with Mma ("lark, the daughter 



[O50 GIBSON COUNTY, INDIANA. 

oi James Clark, of county Donegal, Ireland. John F. is now in lull partner- 
ship with his father. 

Politically, David W. Hull was formerly a Republican, but has been a 
Prohibitionist for several years. In 1880 he was elected assessor of White 
River township and discharged the duties of that office to the satisfaction of 
all. While not especially desiring office for himself, his influence is always 
counted upon by those in the race. Mr. Hull's religious sympathies are with 
the Presbyterian church, to whose welfare he gives largely of time and means. 
He enjoys the distinction of having served his church as an elder for the past 
twenty years and for the last thirty years has taught a class in the Sunday 
school. Mr. Hull has lived a life in keeping with the faith he professes and 
holds an enviable place in the estimation of his great number of friends. 
Faithful to every trust of life, both public and private, he is honored and re- 
spected thr< ughout his native county and is in every way deserving of the re- 
gard in which he is held. 



FAMES W. ADAMS. 



An enumeration of those men of the present generation who have won 
honor and public recognition for themselves, and at the same time have hon- 
ored the locality in which they belon be incomplete were there failure 
to make specific mention of him whose name forms the caption of this sketch. 
The qualities which have made him one of the prominent and successful men 
of Gibson county have also brought him the esteem of his fellow men. for 
his career has been one of well directed energy, strong determination and 
hi morable methods. • In his early business career he met with reverses which 
would have daunted a man of less spirit, but such difficulties only urged him 
to more determined effort and he has so managed his affairs as to win lai 
material success. 

James W. Adams is a native of Gibson county, born in Princeton on 
March 24. 1848, the son of Joseph and Catherine (Hunt) Adams, the former 
a native of Gibson county and the latter of Missouri. The father's family 
were among the early citizens of the county and added their share to the 
advancement of the community. To Joseph Adams and wife were born four 
children, of whom the immediate subject of this sketch is the second child in 
1 irder of birth. 

James W. Adams received his early education in the district schools of 
Gibson county, being somewhat handicapped in his attendance owing to the 



GIB -.A. [O5] 

earl) death of his father, whicl red when James W. was but four years 

The nece itributing his share toward the si >f the 

family compelled him to leave school at an earl) age. At th jhteen 

years he became an apprentice to the blacksmith trade, at which he worked 
for three years in Princeton. At the end of that time he decided to tal 
his residence in 1. md work at his trade, and he remained then 

three years, later returning to Gibson county. 

On March 7. 1871, Mr. A as united in mat 

Robb, daughter of David and Ellen (Decker) Robtr, both of whom were 
natives of Gibson enmity. 'There are two children of the family remaining 

under the paternal r '. Dove B. and Joseph W. Mr. and Mrs. Adams have 

six grandchildren. 

At the time of his marriage, Mr. Adams had savei ur hundred 

dollars with which to set up houseki and purchased a few in 

articles to carry on the occupation of farming, which he had d should 

be his life work. He arranged for the purchase of a farn hundred 

acres, going heavily in debt for same, but with the cheerful determination to 
work his way out as quickly as possible. His farm consisted of excellent 
land, part of which was located in the White River bottoms, and th< 
year proved disastrous for him, for it was a year of high water and the fl 
overspread his farm, destroying all his crops. The failure of hi made 

k impossible for him to meet the oblig » his purchase, and lie 

d to see his coveted his hands. In the face of this 

erwhelming failure his true nature asserted itself and with renewed 
energy and determination, lighted with hope, he arranged for the put 
ci another tract, and this time fortune smiled on him, for he was almost 
lv successful from the -tart. Through wise management and un- 
failing industry he has be dd to his original holdings from time 
to time, until he is now the owner of nine hundred acres of excellent land. 
even s his ability as an agriculturist who conducts the 
business of his farm along modern meth 

Aside from his business info a farmer, he is also identified with 

the hanking business, being a : r in the Patoka National Bank 

an ,l a j n g -,s vice-president of that institution. Throughout his life, 

Mr. Adams' business methods have been such cite the admiral' 

who know him, at the same time inspiring them with absolute 
deuce in his hot ' integrity. 

Politically, Mr. \.dams gives his supporl to the Democratic party, alw; 



H>5- GIBSON COUNTY, INDIANA. 

taking a keen, though quiet interest, in its affairs. His religious membership 
is with the Methodist Episcopal church, to whose support he contributes 
largely. 

Mr. Adams is intensely practical in everything he does, and therein lies 
the great secret of his success. He is a splendid example of the virile, pro- 
gressive man who believes in doing well whatever is worth doing at all, a 
man of broad mind, keen discernment and sound judgment. Personally, he 
is genial and unassuming, easily approached, and in Gibson county where 
almost his entire life has been spent, he is widely known and held in high 
regard by all. 



FAMES GR \N 



Gibson county has attracted emigrants from ma ign nations, bul 

no better cla>s of citizens have come from foreign countries and settled in 
this county than those who emigrated from Ireland, fine of the most sub- 
stantial citizens of Irish descent in this county is James < iray, to a brief re- 
view of whose career the readers attention is here directed. Mr. Gray was 
born in Ireland on August 27, 1846, the si n of John and Lena 1 White 1 (iray. 
who were descendants of a long and honorable ancestry on both sides of the 
family. James (iray has a deed that was made by his grandfather in 1755. 
and he also has a deed which was issued in Ireland to his great-great-grand- 
father, which is dated 1536. The father of the subject of this sketch never 
came to America. He was accidentally shot in 1866, while on a hunting trip 
in Ireland. Mr. and Mrs. John (iray were the parents of five children, die 
subject of this sketch being the eldest child; Edward lives in Pittsburgh. 
Pennsylvania: Sarah and Bessie are both deceased and Mrs. Lena West, who 
is a resident of Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. 

James (.'.ray received his education at Loughbrickland, Ireland, and his 
boyhood and early manhood was spent on the Emerald Isle, working on his 
father's farm. He had been married several years when he came to the 
United States in 1880, and located in Princeton in this count}-. His marriage 
occurred on December 23, 1868, to Margaret J. Stott, the daughter of John 
and Eliza (Black) Stott, natives of Ireland. To Mr. and Mrs. Stott were 
born three children: Mrs. James Gray; Kathleen, who lives in Pittsburgh, 
Pennsylvania; Thomas J. Stott, deceased. 

Upon coming to this country, Mr. Gray engaged in farming, settling on 



GIBSON COUNTY, INDIANA. [053 

a tract of land near Princeton in this county, and by hard work and persever- 
ance he has succeeded in acquiring a fine farm of four hund where 
he is now living. In addition to his general farming, he make- a specialty 
of breeding and raising Shorthorn cattle and large drafl horses, in which 
of endeavor he has been very successful. • ock alw; 
price in the market. 

Mr. and .Mrs. Gray have irn nine children: John; Florence, 

! Small, who lives in Ireland ; lith Morrison, who 

reside- in Tennessee; Helena K.. who was a physician, but is now deceased; 
Edward, who is a civil engineer in California; James F., living in Louisville, 
Kentucky; Mrs. Bessie Archer, who lives on a farm in this county: Mrs. Ella 
Matier Pate, a resident of Bloomfield, Indiana, and Mrs. Susan M. Kennedy. 
who lives in Canada. Mr. Gray also has nine living grandchildren. IK' has 
always been known to be . tn and takes a great deal of ii 

in his children and hildren. IK en his children the best oppor 

tunities which the schools of hi- count) offered 

Mr. Gray has keen a great traveler in his life, having made no less than 
eleven different trips to Ireland aw igain in the year 

Me has keen a Democrat si ling to this country and is muck interested 

in political affairs, although he has never be< ndidate fo Re- 

ligiously, he and his family are members of the Presbyterian church, his 
wife'.- father having been a Presbyterian minister. In the comparatively 
short time which Mr. Gray has li try he has shown all 

admirable qualities which make the good American citizen, lie has 
tributed liberally in a material way to the advancement of the community in 
which, he ha- lived and k, riends e his gentle and unas- 

suming demeam >r. 



k'Kl 



The trou-. true men are always benefactors Their u 

ness m the immediate and specific labors they perform can generally be de- 
fined, but the good ao hrough the influences and force- they put 
in nil ition of their pi any 
finite gauge or standard of value. Tt is k ins an easy matter t- 
mate a man's worth to a community whili ter he 
has keen called away that the public begins properl ireciate his virtues 



1054 GIBSON COUNTY, INDIANA. 

and services and to measure his influence b} the many little acts as well as 
large achievements which, unseen at the time, enter so largely into the business 
and social life of the community and give character and tone t" its various 
lines ,,i development and growth. No class of citizens in Indiana has been 
of more benefit to the state than have the sturdy descendants of German 
parentage. Gibson county is fortunate in having a large number of these 
good people, and among them is the subject of this sketch. 

Fred H. ( Ihning, the present efficient superintendent of the Gibson 
count}' poor farm, was born in Vanderburg county, Indiana, on October 9, 
1S57. His parents, Henry and Minnie \Y. (Shnelle) (liming, were both 
natives oi Germany, his father coming to this country several years before the 
Civil war and settling first at Evansville. About [862 his father moved to 
Gibson count\- and followed the occupation of a farmer until his death, 
September u. igi2, his wife having died in 1895. To Mr. and Mrs. Henry 
Ohning were born eight children, the subject of this sketch being the oldest- 
child. Fred received his early education in the districl schools of his 
county and early in life started out to make his fortune. For several years 
he was engaged in the saw-mill business and at the same time operated a 
threshing machine in the summer. By his honest dealings with his customers 
he built up a large and lucrative business throughout the county. Recognizing 
in him an able and efficient administrative man, the Gibson county com- 
missioners in June, i</o. appointed him as superintendent of the county 

1 r farm ami in January, 1914, he was re-appointed for four years. At the 

time this sketch was prepared there were two women and twenty-two men 
being cared for on the farm. There are two hundred acres in the farm and 
all but twenty-five acres are under cultivation at the present time. Under the 
excellent management of Mr. Ohning the farm is yielding from six hundred 
dollars to one thousand Ave hundred dollars in net proceeds each year, which 
goes to show that it is in very capable hands. 

Mr. Ohning was married on February 6, 1883, to Hannah \V. Xie- 
kamp, the daughter of William I", and Hannah Vomhaner. The parents 
of Mrs. ( 'lining were both natives of Germany and to them were b irn f ur 
children: Mrs. Anna White. F ll Branch, Indiana, who has four children 
Amelia, who is still at home: Mrs. Emma Bilderback, whose husband is a 
farmer in Patoka township, and has one child: and Lydia. who is still resid- 
ing at home. 

Mr. Ohning is affiliated with the Democratic party in politic-, but has 
newer held any other office than the one he now holds. His fraternal con- 



, [NDIANA. 10 



00 



ons are confined to the Woodmen of the World, he being a charter mem 



& 



ber of Buckskin Lodge, Number In- religious faith is that of the 

Evangelical church and he and his familj are interested in thi 
activities of that dem unination. 

The subject of this sketch stands for the best type of cil 
because of his impregnable honor and high integrit) he has won the confidence 
and esteem of a large circle of friends and acquaintances. He is pi 

and awake, manages the ai I the i r farm according to true bus 

principles and ha ed a flattering measure of popularity and success. 

He lias made his presence in the county a pi d and his 

presenl standing as a re] is been fairly and honorably 

earned. 



WILLIAM E. McELDERRY. 

There is no positive rule for achieving success, and yet in lives of suc- 
cessful men then are always lessons which might well lie follow© i man 
who gains prosperity is hi n see and utilize the opportunity tl 
in his path. The essential conditions of human life are ever the same, the 
surroundings of individuals differ bul slightly; and when one man passes 
another on the highway of life to reach the goal of prosperity I others 
who perhaps started oul bi n, it is because h< power to use ad 
vantages which probably encompass the whole human race. Today among 
tin prominent citizen- of Gibson county, Indiana, stands 
William E. VfcElderry. The qualities of keen discrimination, sound 
ment and executive ability enter very largely into his make-up and have been 
contributing elements to the matei which has come to him. 

William E. McElderry was bom March > on a farm near Jan 

town, Greene county, Ohio, the son of Israel McElderry, who was born De- 
cember i ~, [806, in Washington county, Pennsylvani ael McEl 

1 the Presbyterian church and was made an elder. Throughout his life 

i- an earnest church worker, and he was eminently deserving of the ad- 
miration and respecl in which he was held I le started in life penniless, having 
to borrow the money to bu ; days he learned th 

manufacturing business and in [849 rerm ene county, Ohio, and 

.1! in farming until his death at Carrollton, < Ihio. At one time he and 
William Johnson were the largest sheep owners in the state of Ohio, but 
cholera attacked their flocks and most of their sheep died. Id his 



GIBSON COUNTY, INDIANA. 

interests in Ohio for ten thousand dollars in gold. As a young man Israel 
McElderry taught school, was a civil engineer and followed surveying for a 
time, lie was a very intelligent man. with a splendid education and was a 
der in his day. A stanch Republican, it was his habit to "stump" the 
county in campaign times in the interests of thai party. His father was 
Daniel McElderry. of Scotland, and came to Carroll county, Ohio, where he 
died. In 1855 Israel McElderry went overland to Olmstead county, Minne- 
sota, where he with other pioneers secured land. Mr. McElderry getting one 
hundred and sixty acres, which he cleared and developed, and so successful 
was he in his agricultural work that he became possessed of thirteen hun- 
dred acres of land in Olmstead and Steele counties, Minnesota. 

Israel McElderry was twice married, first to Margaret: Jane Thomas, 
the daughter of Daniel Thomas, of Amsterdam, Ohio, and she died in her 
twenty-ninth year on July 12. [848. Her parents both died in Amsterdam. 
Ohio. His second wife was Catherine (Thomas) Carlisle, a sister of his 
first wife, born in Steubenville, Ohio. November 22. 1806, and is now de- 
ceased. Subject's father was a man of exemplary habits and Christian char- 
acter. It was --aid of him that he never used a profane word in his life. 
To Israel McElderry and his hr^t wife were born the following children: 
• Jonathan is a farmer in South Dakota, and also works at the carpenter's 
trade. He was a soldier in the Civil war. a member of Company A. Si cond 
Ohio Volunteer Infantry. He married Jennie Hale. (2) Daniel was also 
in the Civil war and was wounded December 7, 1864. in the second battle of 
Murfreesborc and died January 6, 1865. (3) Margaret, who lives at 
Cromanton, ' lorida, is the widow of Christopher Ecker. a carpenter 
Canal Dover, ( )hio. (4) Arabella is the wife of Frank Cummings, a farmer 
of Bonella, South Dakota. By Israel McElderry's second marriage the fol- 
lowing children were born : (1) William E. (2) Charles- died May 10. 1881. 
13) Abraham is employed at the Great Northern car works at Devil's Eake, 
Xorth Dakota. 

William If. McElderry's maternal grandfather, John Thomas, lived in 
Steubenville, Ohio, where he was a dry goods merchant, and owning a black- 
smith shop and other establishments and conducting the leading hotel. 

Acquiring a limited education in the common scho >ls, Air. McElderry 
remained on the home place until be reached the age of twenty-eight, when, 
on September 24. [879, be was united in marriage to Louie C. Rouzer, the 
daughter of Hon. W. H. Rouzer. who was mayor of Dayton, Ohio, and a 
printer by trade. This wife died December 24, 1886. After his marriage 



GIBSON i . INDIANA. [< 157 

Mr. McEldern wem to Minnesota and engaged in farming for six years, 
and then returned to Dayton, ( >hio, when [aged in the produce busim 

a year, later selling nursery stock for the Heikes Nursery Company, of thai 
city. He then became a salesman for Wesley Young, handling ornamental 
fences and nursery stock through the Eastern states for seven years. He 
first engaged in the nursery business on his own accounl at Boonville, Indiana, 
and was in business there until 1906, when he started the Princeton nursei 
one mile south of the city of Princeton, where he lias since been located. 
Here he has built a beautiful home and has a most complete plant, splendii 
equipped for his purposes. His business is very extensive, covering many 
states, among which are Indiana, [llinois, Michigan, Kentucky. Florida and 
Louisiana. 

On March 5, 1891, Mr. McElderry was married a second time to Flora 
N. Jenkins at Atlantic City, Xew Jersey, a native of Plumsteadville, Penn- 
sylvania, the daughter of Philip and Deborah (Nash) Jenkins, both natives 
of the Keystone state. 

To the first marriage was born one son, ( harles R., who died at the age 
of thirteen. 1 1 i s second marriage resulted in the birth of a daughter, Vivian 
P., who is now attending school in Princeton, Indiana. 

William E. McElderry is a contributor to all the churches, although he 
is not a member of am particular denomination. He joined the Masonic 
fraternity at the age of twenty-one at ( ihatfield, Minnesota, becoming a mem- 
ber of Meridian Lodge \". 56 at that place. His membership was subse- 
ntly transferred, first, to Boonville and then to Princeton, lie is a charter 
member of the Knights of Pythias at Dayton, Ohio, and is also a charter 
member of the Independent Order of < ><\'\ Fellows at Perkasie, Pennsyl- 
vania, while the subject and wife are affiliated with the local chapter of the 
( >rder of the Eastern Star. 

Mr. McElderry and his wife adopted the child known as "the suite 
baby."' February 26, [913. ( >n February 25, 1913, the baby was found in 
a suit case on a Louisville & \ T ashville train a1 Evansville, Indiana. The 
baby was aboul five days old when found and hr. Benjamin F. Rose and 
wife, of Evansville, took care of the child until Mr. McElderry and wife 
adopted it. Samuel Dyer, a brakeman on the train says a young man boarded 
the train al Henderson, Kentucky, with a suitcase, and inquired if the train 
went to Evansville. On being informed thai il did, he passed through a car. 
sel the suit case on a seal and jumped off the back platform. The brakeman, 
(67) 



IO58 GIBSON COUNTY, INDIANA. 

thinking that lie would return, took no more than passing notice of the inci- 
dent, Until the contents of the suitcase were disclosed. No one was able to 
identify the young man who left the baby on the train, only a most superficial 
description of him having been obtained. He was apparently about twenty- 
two years of age, five feet seven inches tall and wore a slouch hat. Mr. and 
Mrs. McElderry heard of the incident and at once adopted the babv. It is a 
beautiful child and has been given the name of Joe Rose McElderry. Some 
time after Mr. McElderry and wife adopted the baby, Air. McElderry com- 
posed the following poem which is here given as he wrote it: 

Tilt: REFRAIN OF Till: SUITCASE BABY. 



Abandoned mni Put on a Midnight Train, February 'J~>. 1913. 



A wee pink baby at dead of the night, 
Wrapped in a blanket and suit case tight, 
Was placed on the train and sent away 
By a brave young man that sneaked away. 
( >li. wasn't he brave and wasn't he true 
To a wee little baby with eyes so blue. 

1 Hi. what of that mother to hide her shame, 
Abandoned her baby and sent on the train. 
Oh, wasn't she tender and wasn't she true 
To her own darling baby with eyes so blue, 
To cast him aside like a toad in the road, 
The wee pink baby with a heart's overload. 

1 wonder if ever to herself hath said 
How his little soul will grieve and bleed 
When he knows of his own blood mother's deed- 
Turned from him with a heart of stone ; 
How his heart will break and eyes o'erflow 
When he knows of his history long, long ago. 

God pity the soul of a woman like she, 
'Twas not the heart of a brute to be 
To give up her offspring to hide her plight; 
To set him adrift in the dead of the night — 
The wee pink baby fresh from the dew. 
The tiny wee baby with eyes so blue. 

At four days old they sneaked him away — 
Not in the broad open light of the day; 
Like cowards they hid him with disdain 
And set him adrift on a midnight train. 
An innocent darling, a sweet little boy 
As pure as the God given smile of Aloy. 



GIBSON COl i .DIANA. IOS9 

And here's to the railroad laddie boys 
\\ ith hearts as big as the engine's noise; 
And here's to the lady that took him in 
When his body was cold and his eyes were dim. 
But four days old and marly froze; 
bless that lady and another Rose. 

His flaxen hair and bright eyes of blue 
Have won him a home that will see him through. 
Yes, he has found a dad and a mamma true. 
With smiles for them both, and a sister, new. 

loves them all and they love him. true. 
I ht \ will stay by the lad and cherish him, too. 

TO THE ONES WHO ABANDON] D HIM : 

You may talk of your riches anil wealth and gain, 
But all of your wealth wouldn't get him again. 
\ ou may strut down town with your head so high, 
But God pity your soul when hell's fire burns high. 
May it torture your soul in youi i>ed, 

Vnd be hell t<> your souls until after you are dead. 



PHILIP J. REINH \KT. 

The- nations of the world have contributed of their besl M 1 to the 

population of the United States, bul no nation has given to this a aintry 
citizens or more loyal subjects than has German) The various revolutions 
which occurred in Germany in the nineteenth century, while they were un- 
fortunate for Germany, were, on the other hand, a blessing to America, for 
during the time- of these revolutions thousands of the best people of Germany 
fled to the United States and became eager citizens of this country. N"o 
more patriotic citizens fought for the North during the Cvil war than did 
the thousands of Gen ildiers who enlisted under the Stars and Stripes 

and fought for their newh adopted country. Wherever a German settlement 

■au\ in this country, thrift and material advancement are sure to be seen. 
Among the many German families who came- to this country in the early days 
history, the Reinhart family was one of the mosl prominent. 

Philip J. Reinhart, the son of Jacob and \gnes (Weidner) Reinhart. was 
born April in. [856, in Vanderburg county, Indiana. I lis parents were 
born and reared in Germany and married in this country. Philip was the 
seventh in order of birth of sixteen children born to his parent- I lis father 



1060 GIBSON COUNTY, INDIANA. 

was a shoemaker by trade, but when he came to Gibson county he followed 
agricultural pursuits. 

Philip J. Reinhart received a very limited common school education in 
the district schools of this county. Tn May, 1S81, he was married to Margaret 
Singer, the daughter of Joseph and Margaret (Habbig) Singer. Both of 
her parents were natives of < Germany. Upon his marriage in 1SS1, Mr. Rein- 
hart purchased a farm in this county, although he had only five hundred dol- 
lars in money in his pocket at the time. He had sufficient confidence in his 
ability as a farmer to venture upon such a transaction and was compelled to 
go into debt for part of the amount. Within twenty years he had it all paid 
for and since that time he ha- gradually enlarged In- holdings until he is now 
the owner of one hundred and sixty acres of fine land in the county. In ad- 
ditinn in his regular line of fanning interests lie has operated a threshing 
machine fur several years. He has also made a specialty of breeding and 
raising Poland-China hog- for some years and has one of the finest droves of 
this breed which can be found in the county. With the help of his good 
wife and his children, he has succeeded in acquiring a very comfortable 
competence. 

Mr. and Mrs. Reinhart are the parent- of an interesting family of ten 
children: Albert J., a stock buyer living in Texas; Jacob P., a farmer of this 
county; Mrs. Tillie Olds, who lives in California; Adam, a farmer of this 
county; Antone, at home with his parents; Mrs. Anna Reed, of Princeton; 
Xettie B.; Man M. ; Philip J., Jr., and Louisa M. The last five named are 
still at home with their parents. 

Politically, Mr. Reinhart has always been a stanch Democrat, but has not 
been a seeker after political honors. He lias felt that his interests demanded 
his careful attention, s i he has not thought it possible to take a very active 
pari in politics. He and his family are earnest and faithful members of the 
Catholic church of Princeton, and contribute liberally of their means to the 
support of that denomination. Thev are firm believers in the benefit to be 
derived from church affiliations and as a result are ever to be found on the 
right side of all movements which have for their object the bettering of the 
moral and social life of the community in which they live. 

Mr. Reinhart and his splendid family have won the esteem and regard 
of a large circle of friends and acquaintances. He is one of those self-made 
men whose business success has been achieved solely by the exercise of every- 
dav common sense and untiring energy. He has always been actuated by noble 
motives and high resolves and has contributed in his sphere of action to the 
welfare of his community in no small degree. 



GIBSON COl \ IV. INDIANA. Io6l 

Ji MIX WRIGHT JONES. 

Holding distinctive prestige among the enterprising citizens of Gib 
county is John Wright Jinn-- whose record here brief!) outlined is that of ;i 
self-made man, who, by the exercise of the talents with which nature endowed 
him, successfully surmounted an unfavorable environment and rose to the 
position he now occupies as one of the influential and well to-do nun of the 
locality honored by his residence. He is a creditable representative of one 
of the old and highly esteemed pioneer families of southern Indiana and 
possesses man) of the admirable qualities and characteristics of his sturdy 
ancestors, who came to Indiana in a very early day. 

John Wright Jones, who possesses extensive farm land,- in Montgomery 
township, Gibson county, and is considered one of the best agriculturists in 
thai section, was born in the township where he now lives on March i |. 
1852, two and one-half mile- west of Owensville. lie is a son of Franklin 
and Comfort (Sharp) Join--. Franklin June- was born mar Owensville in 
[823 and was a son of Charles and Eleanor (Warrick) Jones, and Charles, 
in turn, was a son of Cadwallader ami Martha i Pitt I June-, both of whom 
were natives of England. Martha Pitt was a relative of William Pitt, the 
great English state-man. and came to America when a young girl. She and 
Cadwallader Jone- were probabl) married in North Carolina and emigrated 
to Kentucky, probably near Hopkinsville, where their son ( harles in. 

Here ( Cadwallader Jones died and his widow came to Indiana, locating in Gib- 
son county, where she later married Jesse Wells and located on Barren creek 
about three and one-half miles wcsl ville. Charles accompanied 

his mother to Indiana and married Eleanor Warrick, daughter of Captain 
Jacob Warrick, who was mortal!) wounded in the battle of Tippecanoe. Vfter 
their marriage. Charles Jones and wife located - >uth of < >wens\ ille and there 
ed the rem, ! their lives. Twelve children were horn to their 

union, namely: Mr-. Eliza Water-. Jacob W., Franklin, father of the im- 
mediate subject of tin- -ketch. John, Nancy Mauck, William. Robert, v\ 
died in infancy. Martha, Thomas I bnvin, Marshall and James Smith. Ja< 
W., who never married, lived near Midland City, Illinois with In- brother 
|ohn and died when he was eighty-eight. He had an excellent memory for 
family history and wa- proud of the fact that he cast hi- for ] fenry 

Clav and had heard Abraham Lincoln speal lie wa- successful financially, 
ami at his death lefl quite a fortune. John, also, wa- a man of mean-, v 
had lived for many years near Midland City. Illinois. William, who lived on 



(062 GIBSON COUNTY, INDIANA. 

his father's farm south of Owensville, died March 14, 1908. He was said to 
be the largest tax-payer in the township. His wife was a Massey. Thomas 
Corwin Jones lives south of Owensville. His wife, now deceased, was Mary 
Kesterson and to them were born five children, two of whom are still living. 
Marshall made his home in Beatrice, Nebraska, and died there, while James 
Smith Jones died unmarried, » 11 the home farm in Gibson county. 

Franklin Jones, father of John Wright Jones, was born just about one- 
half mile west of where the subject of this sketch now resides. ( )n Decem- 
ber 16, 1847, he married Comfort Sharp, born near Cynthiana, a daughter of 
John Wright and Temperance (Sharp) Sharp. The Sharp family was 
originally from Carroll county, Maryland, near Baltimore, and in 1790 went 
to Shelby county, Kentucky, coming to Gibson count} - , Indiana, about 1833. 
Benjamin Sharp, father of John Wright Sharp, settled on what is now known 
as the Franklin Jones estate, about two and one-half miles west of Owens- 
ville. They had twelve children, five boys and seven girls, namely: Thomas, 
John Wright, Talbott, Micajah, Benjamin, Mary Weaver, Hannah Sharp, 
Nancy Sharp. Cassandra Sharp, Mrs. Sail}' Pollard, Prudence Pollard and 
Carolina Montgomery. The mother of this family and the wife of Benjamin 
Sharp was Elizabeth Wright. The mother of Benjamin Sharp brought with 
her from Wales a pewter plate, which is now a much-prized heirloom in the 
family, as is also the family Bible used by him and which is still in practical 
use. 

After his marriage in 1847, Franklin [ones and wife made their home 
about two and one-half miles west of Owensville, where four of their daugh- 
ters now reside. Here Comfort Sharp Jones died August 29, 1907 and 
Franklin Jones died June 16, 1908. All his life he had engaged in agricul- 
tural work so far as able, but by the time the subject of this sketch was about 
eight years old. the father had been so weakened from sickness as u> make 
farming impossible for him and John Wright Jones, while still what would be 
considered a little boy, felt the burden of a man's responsibilities. He plowed 
when only eight years old. guided and assisted in all he did by a wise and 
loving mother, who allowed him to develop his abilities. She herself was an 
excellent financier and this tra.it seems to have passed on to her son. When 
he was but twelve she permitted him to bargain fur and trade a horse and at 
the age of fifteen he took their produce to Evansville and disposed of it to 
advantage. At the age of twenty-two he purchased his first ground, thirty 
acres for himself, and did this entirely on credit, agreeing to pay eight per 
cent, interest on his purchase. This debt was discharged in a surprisingly 



GIBSON COUNTY, INDIANA. 1063 

short time and from that time on he made various purchases, usually buying 
one tract for himself and the nexl for his father. In this vvaj he added be- 
tween one and two hundred acres to his father's estate before he left home, 
and counting this, together with what he has purchased for himself from time 
to time, makes Ins total purchases aim .nut to over three hundred acres. An 
enviable record surely, when the tender age at which he started out, and his 
numerous handicaps, arc considered. When fort) eight years of age he 
-ntled on his present location, and in addition to general farming lie 1 
short horn cattle, Poland China hogs and Buff Orpington chicken-, in all oi 
which he is highly successful. 

On May 20, [908, Mr. Jones was united in marriage with Mrs. Claire 
H. (Basford) Brumbach, widow ol Lucius J. Brumbach. She was born at 
Greenwich, Ohio, the daughter of Napoleon < >. and Mary tsabelle (' 
eron) Basford. The Basfords are of English ancestry, the first of them 
coming to Baltimore, Maryland Mar) Tsabelle Cameron, the mother of 
Mrs. Junes, was the daughter of Charles and Mahala A. 1 Slater) Cameron, 
and was of Scotch-English ancestry. Her father was descended from the 
( 'amen >n clan of Scotland and hi- people were later in life engaged in weav- 
ing business in county \ntrim in Ireland and were people of means. The 
Slater family came to ( )hio early in it- history and lived in a block-house on 
account of the danger from the Indians. At one time the family was considered 
the wealthiest in three counties, (hark- Cameron was horn in county 
Antrim. Ireland, in 1818, near the Giant's Causeway. lie came to America 
when about twenty-one years old and made his home with his uncle. James 
Cameron, about twelve mile- from Ashland, Ohio, and thirteen mile- from 
Worcester, near Jeromeville. Hi- uncle had entered land from the govern- 
ment and this same land continued in the possession of the family until about 
a year ago, when the title to it passed out. Napoleon 0. Basford, father of 
Mrs. [ones, was originally engaged in farming, hut for the past twent) years 
ha- keen in the bakery business most of the time and now resides at I )wens- 
ville. He was engaged in farming in southern Illinois when Mrs. Jones 
became the wife of Lucius J. Brumbach, of Odell, Livingston county. Ill 
on Tune 14. 1899. Mr. Brumbach died in [906 at St. Petersburg, Florida, 
whither he had gone in search of health. In the meantime. Mr. Basford 
had removed to Owensville, and when visiting him. Mr-. Brumbach formed 
the acquaintance of Mr. Jones, which resulted in their marriage. To them 
one son has come, John Orlando, born June 7. 1000. This i> Mr. Tone-' sec- 
ond marriage. ITis first wife was Dovie Kell, to whom he was married Aug- 



[O64 GIBSON COUNTY, INDIANA. 

ust 30, 1899. She was a native of Kentucky, born and raised near Madison- 
ville, daughter of Westerfield and Sarah Kell. She came to Gibson county 
when twelve years old and lived with her aunt. Alary Mounts. To John 
Wright Jones by his first wife were born two children, a son and a daugh- 
ter. The daughter died when a young child and the mother and son both 
died at his birth and were buried together. 

John Wright Jones stands high in public estimation and can always 
be counted upon to be actively interested in anything which tends to the moral 
or material betterment of his community. During his long and industrious 
career, he has not only gained the confidence of his fellow men in business 
dealings, but as a man of force and character, upright and honest, he has a 
warm place in the regard of all who know and appreciate his goodness. 



CHARLES WILDEMAN. 



Among the men who were identified with Posey and Gibson counties dur- 
ing the early history of the state and bore their full share in bringing about 
the contrast between the distant past and the practical present, the searcher 
after local records will find frequent mention of the ancestors of the gentle- 
man whose name heads this paragraph. When his father came to this state 
from Germany his eyes did not behold the pleasing scenes which are now 
familiar to every resident and visitor. Most of the land was still covered 
with those famous forests, whose felling and removal constituted the chief 
labor of the early arrivals. His father took hold manfully with character- 
istic German determination and by dint of many a hard blow eventually found 
himself in possession of a large tract of land. 

Charles Wildeman, the son of Charles and Sarah (Aker) Wildeman. 
was born January 6, 1869, in Posey county, Indiana. His parents were both 
natives of Germain- and after first settling in Posey count)- moved to Gibson 
county in 1882, shortly after the death of Airs. Wildeman, the mother of the 
subject of this sketch. She passed away on February 23, 1SS1. The senior 
Charles was one of the largest land owners of the county at the time of his 
death in July, 1909. He started life poor and knew what hard work meant, 
but he was a good manager and skilful trader, with the result that he ac- 
cumulated considerable property before his death. 

Charles, the subject of this sketch, was given such educational advantages 



1,1 BSl IN C0I N fY, [NDIANA. K 165 

as the district schools of his count) afforded at the time. He continued to 
assist hi> father on the farm until the time of his marriage. He was married 
on February i-|. 1893, to l 'arrie Stinner, the daughter of Jacob and Elizabeth 
Stinner. Both of his wife's parents were born in Germany and can 
country many years before the Civil war. Mr. Stinner served throughout 
the war in Company B, Fifty-eighth Regiment Indiana Volunteer Infantry. 
Mr. am! Mr^. Wildeman are the parents of three children : George, born Aug- 
ust 29, [895 ; John, born September 25, [898; Rosa, born October u. 1896. 

Mr. Wildeman has spent all his life on the farm with the exception ol 
four years 1 [908-1912) when he resided in Princeton. He and his wife own 
three hundred and thirty acres of well-improved and productive land in 
Patoka township under a high state oi cultivation. In addition to his 
diversified agriculture, he makes a specialty of the breeding of lien-fun! cat- 
tle. He has won success by consecutive and earnest application and good 
management, and is known as a careful and straightforward business man. 
enterprising and progressive, upright in all the relations of life and public- 
spirited in his altitude. In politics he is staunchly arrayed in support < 
principles and policies of the I democratic party, while he and all the members 
of his family are loyal adherents of the Catholic church. 

Mr. Wildeman is a public-spirited citizen who is held in unquali 
esteem in the community in which he lives. He is a gentleman of unfailing 
courtesy and gracious personality and the circle of his friends is coincident 
with that of his acquaintances, lie is an alert business man and a progn 
farmer, while it is unnecessary to add that he is thoroughly familiar with all 
the details of farming, lie is doing his share towards building up his com- 
munity and every project which aims at tin- improvement of the social, moral, 
or intellectual life of the community in which he lives finds in him a ready 
and sympathetic helper. For these reasons In well merits a worthy place in 
a volume of the repn e citizens of Gibson county. 



JAMES W. HILLMAN. 



The record of an honorable, upright life is always read with interest, 
and it better perpetuates the name and fame of the subject than does a monu- 
ment, seen by few and soon crumbling into dust beneath the relentless hand of 
Those who have valiantly fought and suffered for their country are 
especially deserving of an honored place in its annals and their posterity will 
(68 



GIBSON COUNTY, INDIANA. 

turn with a just pride to these records of the founders and preservers of a 
prosperous, united nation. 

James W. Hillman was horn in Clay township, Pike county, Indiana, 
July 6, 1845, the son of Daniel and Alan- ( Lane 1 Hillman, he a native of 
Kentucky, and she of Pike county. Daniel Hillman came to Indiana as a 
young man with his father, Henry, and they made their home on wild land 
which they entered, building a cabin and clearing away the dense underbrush 
and trees in order to plant crops. Daniel I lillman had very little opportunity to 
attend school, and lived at home with his father until he reached, mature 
years. He then purchased a farm in the western part of Pike county, later 

tiring land in Clay township, where lie passed the rest of his days. He 
was well known and highly respected by his neighbors. His first wife was 
Mary (Lane) Hillman. she dying in [848. Rachael VV. Wright was the sec- 
ond wife of Daniel Hillman. and she died at Newburg, Indiana. They were 
members of the Regular Baptist church. To Daniel Hillman and his first 
wife were born the following children: (1) John, deceased, was in Company 
G, Sixty-fifth Indiana Volunteer Infantry, for three years; 1 _' ) Nancy is the 
widow of Alfred Decker, who served in the Civil war in Company G, Forty- 
second Indiana Volunteer Infantry; (3) Henry, who was a member of Com- 
pany <i. Sixty-fifth Indiana Volunteer Infantry, died in Andersonville Prison. 
He married Mary J. McCrumell. (4) George, deceased, was a member of 
Companv E, Forty-second Indiana Volunteer Infantry, and was wounded in 
the battle of Perrysville. and he was then honorably discharged and returned 
to his home. He was made deaf by the injury. lie married Edith Davison. 
101 William was in Company K, Twenty-fourth Indiana Volunteer Infantry, 
served three vears and died on his return to his home in Pike county, i ; 1 
Tames W.. the subject. To Daniel Hillman and his second wife were born six 
children, as follows: Taylor, deceased; Annie, deceased; Charles Miner mar- 
ried Mary Barrett and lives in Pekin county, Illinois; Dicey, deceased; Hattie 
and Mary. 

Acquiring but little schooling in his boyhood days, James W. Hillman 
passed his youth on the home farm until he reached the age of seventeen 
He then enlisted, July 15, 1862, in Company G, Fifty-sixth Indiana Volunteer 
Regiment, at Evansville, Indiana, the command to which he was attached be- 
ing first sent to Henderson, Kentucky, and at that place they started in pur- 
suit of the guerillas, being occupied in this hard and trying duty for about a 
vear. From Kentucky they were sent to Tennessee, being for a while in the 
eastern part of that state. In April, 1863. they crossed the mountains to the 



GIB COUN IV. INDIANA. 

eastern pari of the state am there during the following winter. In 

the spring of 1864 they were in the Atlanta campaign, engaging in the battles 
at Bluntsville, Briscow, Jonesboro, Danridge, Mo 1 :ek and a numbei 

skirmishes. In May, 1864. they took part in the Georgia campaign and were 
in the fighting at Buzzards Hill, Resaca, Altoona and Kenesaw Mountain. 
Later, with one hundred and twenty-live men to guard the artillery teams and 
wagons, they went seven miles to Stone Mountain after corn and food, and 
just as they were loading they were attacked by a large body of < !onfederates 
and a two hours' battle ensued. During- this fighting Mr. Hillman's mess 
mate was shot through the heart and Mr. Hillman, dropping his gun. car- 
ried the body of his comrade .to a wagon. < >n his return to the tiring line he 
discovered that some one had appropriated his gun, and he was compelled 
to go through the battle unarmed. Subsequently the command was dispatched 
in pursuit of Hood in central Tennessee and while on this strenuous detail 
his shoes gave out and he was compelld ted for three days. 

From Rome, Georgia, their next stopping place, they were sent to Dab 
and then by train to Nashville, Tennessee, and. from there going to Pulaski, 
where they took up the chase of Hood and engaged his force- in battle at 
Columbus, Tennessee. \.bout this time Mr. Hillman was seriously ill for a 
while. Recovering, he was a participant in the battle of Franklin, Tennessee, 
then went to Nashville for two day-, then to Franklin again, where he was on 
January 1, 1865. From that point Mr. Hillman'- command was sent to Clif- 
ton, Tennessee, on the Tennessee river, where they remained for three days, 
and then proceeded to Paducah, Kentucky, and up the Ohio river to Cincin- 
nati, where trains were taken to Washington, I >. C. Remaining in Washing- 
ton thre they were then -cut to Annapolis, Maryland, and from there 
went by boat to Fori Fisher, marching from Fort Fisher to Wilmington. 
North Carolina, on the Cape Fear river, a march of two hundred and sixty 
miles. Later they v. loldsboro, North Carolina, and had several batl 

the way. [oining General Sherman, they marched to Raleigh, North Caro- 
lina. After this they were located at Greensboro, North Carolina, and High 
•it. in the -ante state, being at the latter point when the war was ended 
and peace declared, lie was mustered out at Greensboro and. aft > to 

io lie paid off. returned to hi- home, July 6, [865. 
ebruary 13, 1873, Mr. Hillman wa- united in marriage with Elizabeth 
\,1, g-an township, Pike county. Indiana, a daughter of Andrew 

Atkinson, a farmer of that county, \fter his marriage he located first on a 
farm in Logan township, Pike county, Indiana, and later secured two other 



IOfiS GIBSON COUNTY, INDIANA. 

farms in that county. He followed agriculture in that locality until 1898, 
when he removed to Oakland City, where he has since resided. Since leaving 
the farm he has run a feed mill and looked after his farming interests. 

Mr. Hillman is a consistent and worthy member of the Regular Baptist 
church at Oakland City, in which body he is a deacon. In political matters, 
Mr. Hillman gives a stanch allegiance to the Republican party. Although 
never having been an office seeker in the generally accepted sense of the term, 
he served very efficiently as a constable in Oakland City. He is a man of re- 
markable memory, is exceedingly well preserved and is one of the well- 
known and respected citizens of his community. 



SIMEON XOBLE. 



There are individuals in nearly every community who, by reason of pro- 
nounced ability and force of character, rise above the heads of the masses 
and command the unbounded esteem of their fellow men. Characterized by 
perseverance and a directing spirit, two virtues that never fail, such men 
always make their presence felt and the vigor of their strong personality 
serves as a stimulus and incentive to the young and rising generation. To 
this class the subject of this review very properly belongs. 

Simeon Noble was born February 14. [833, at Lewisville, ( >hio, whither 
his father. David Noble, had located when as a young man he left his home 
in Pennsvlvania. After locating in Ohio, he took as his wife Rebecca 
Phillips, a native of New Jersey, whose family had originally come from 
England. The family of David Noble was of German descent. He re- 
mained in Ohio until 1857, when he removed his family to Knox county, 
Indiana, where he purchased a farm, which he greatly improved, and there 
engaged in agricultural pursuits for many years. During the latter years of 
his life he lived in Mt. Carmel, Illinois, in retirement from active labors, and 
there he died in 1862. His wife had died some years before him. having 
passed away in 1857. They reared a family of six children, as follows: 
John, who lived and died in Ohio; Francisco, deceased, who made his home 
in Mt. Carmel, Illinois; Simeon, the subject of this sketch; David, who lived 
and died in Ohio, and Joseph, deceased, whose earlier home was also in Ohio, 
but who later resided in Knox county. Indiana, and who served during the 
Civil war in the Eighth Indiana Cavalry. The youngest child was \ddie, 
deceased, who was the wife of John Easton, of Mt. Carmel, Illinois. The 



ISON COUNTY, INDIANA. I069 

family was reared in the faith of the old-school Presbyterian church : 
David Noble's political sympathy was with the old Whig parly. 

Simeon Noble attended the county scho ewisville, ind later 

received instruction in the West Bedford Acaderm for t\\ 

He remained at home with his father until he enlisted in the army in July. 
1864, as a private in Company M. Third Regiment Kentu 
Infantry, at Vmcennes, Indiana, lie was first sent to Owensboro, Ken- 
tuck}-, where he was in camp for some time and was then sent to Tallahousa 
and on to Nashville. He did scout dut) all of the time, lie was with the 
Army of the Cumberland and was in several battles and skir 
River, Pittsburg Landing, Resaca and others, lie was discharged in [863 
and re-enlisted in tin- same company and regiment and was sen- ica. 

He was with General Sherman on his famous march to the sea and remained 
under his command until the close of the war. taking part in all engagem< 1 
which that famous command encountered. He was mustered out of service 
at Raleigh, North Carolina, in the fall of 1865. Having served all 'during 
the war and in so many engagements, it is a remarkable fact that he came 
out of service almost unscathed — far as permanent disability is concerned. 
He was shot in the hand while guarding a train and also shot in the ]• 

In 180 1 Mr. Noble was united in marriage with Adelaide Thurgoi 
of Roscc. ( »hio, though a nativi [land. To them were horn two chil- 

dren. Frank, a stationary engineer al Princeton, who makes his home with 
his father, and Beatrice, who has always resided at home. Mrs. Noble died 
on March ig, 1898. 

After Mr. Noble was discharged from the army, he went to Vincenm 
Indiana, where he engaged in the flouring mill business and continued at that 
place for a number of years. He later came to Princeton, where he engaged 
in the same line of liiwuc^ for a number of years Inf. .re his retirement 
from the active duties of life, having amassed a competence. 

Mr. Xol.le is a member of I '..-1 No. 28, Grand Army of the Republic, at 
Princeton, and his religious affiliation is with the Methodisl Episcopal church, 
to which he contributes of In- time and mean-. Mrs. Xol.le was a member 
..1" the Presbyterian church. Simeon Noble is a man well known in Prince- 
ton, and in fact all oxer Gibson county, where he has won and holds a large 
number of friend-. The years of his residence here have made him known 
as a man of honor and integrity, one who stand- for all that is uplifting for 
the betterment of the community. He is a man well preserved for his years 
and takes pleasure in keeping posted on all questions of the day 



IO7O GIBSON COUNTY, INDIANA. 

FRED BUTLER. 

It is a pleasure to investigate the career of a successful, self-made man. 
Peculiar honor attaches to that individual who, beginning the great struggle 
of life alone and unaided, gradually overcomes unfavorable environment, 
removes one by one the obstacles from the pathway of success and, by the 
master strokes of his own force and vitality, succeeds in forging his way to 
the front and winning for himself a competency and a position of esteem and 
influence among his fellow men. Such is the record of the popular citizen of 
Oakland City to a brief synopsis of whose life the follow ing lines are devoted. 

Fred Butler, a well known citizen of Oakland City and the present 
popular and efficient trustee of Columbia township, was horn near Millers- 
burg, Warrick county, Indiana, on September 22, 1S62. He is the son of 
John A. and Anna (Hall) Butler, both of whom were natives of England, 
of sterling families of that merry little isle, and who came to America in 
185 1, locating at Evansville, Indiana. Subsequently they located at what 
was known as "Nine Mile House," and later removed to the vicinity of 
Millersburg, "Warrick county, where they remained until 1866, when they 
came to Pike county, Indiana, where the}- spent the remainder of their years, 
their deaths occurring on the farm to which they had given their attention. 

The subject of this sketch was reared on the home farm in Pike county 
and secured his education in the public schools of that locality. Pie con- 
tinued the cultivation of the home farm until about seven years ago. In 1885 
Mr. Butler bought a farm northeast of Pleasantville, Pike county, and in 
189] he bought a farm six miles southeast of Oakland City, to which he re- 
moved : hich he has added until he is now the owner of one hundred 
and sixty acres of fine land. In 1902 Mr. Butler left the farm and took up 
his residence in Oakland City, where he has since remained. Mr. Butler 
was not only successful as an agriculturist, but for about twelve years he 
engaged extensively in the Inning and shipping ot live stock, in which also 
li met witii considerable success. His farm is rendered particularly valu- 
able because of the fact that it is underlaid with a strata of petroleum and 
oil well in the siati- of Indiana being located on his farm, it 
testing six hundred and thirty pounds pressure. 

From his south Air. Butler has taken an active interest in local public 
affairs, and before he had attained his majority he was nominated for the 
position of constable and was elected three successive terms wdiile residing in 
Pike county. Soon after coming to Oakland City he was elected a member 



GIBSON , INDIANA. 

of the citj council from the third ward. ["his position, however, h 

accept thi of trust* tnbia township, to 

i he had been elected the pn He is . 

his politi< i and has for n active in behalf of his 

Fraternally, Mr. Butle if the In it ( trder 

lows ; he Court of Honor, being a charter memb 

hi. in tl 
campment, am i a member of the D; 

he is a member of the Primil I itist church at Oakland < is his 

wife. When Mr. Butlei elected normal Repul 

majorit) in < wnship ■ 

Butler overcame this by thirt; 

ling when he wa the cit) 

when he i ■ i a town wh 

normal Republican majority. 

On August [5, iNSi. Mr. A. Frai 

daughter of William C. and Elizabeth France, ty, where shi 

and rear 1 this union have been born two children 

in i 8S7, and Lillii rtis married Etta I lert. and they have 

an: Lillie becan Billart, and they 

live at ( )aklai Thron 

r has held the confidence and of the people with whom he has 

mingled and who ha- him be< >rth Of 

;ing hon :, genius 

executing the right thing at the righl 1 the chief characteristics of the 

man and are the concomitants which have insured his suco 



HENRY J. BR \DE.M EYER. 

A citizen of th States can bear < of honor than 

the distinction of having served tb it in the memorable four years 

of war between the states. It imily inheritance, to be prized like 

a jewel by all future descendants and kept bright and untarnished 

,1 valor, patriotism and loyalty in the interests of - 
in this day when there are many of the old soldiers living, m them 

their laded uniforms without feeling a glow of pride and wi 
them studied deference. But the ranks of the old phalanx- an 



I "7- GIBSON COUNTY, INDIANA. 

going down before the only foe they can not defeat, and ere long none will 
be left to recount the actual experiences of that memorable four years of 
sanguinary history. In the meantime, while they are still with us, let us pay 
them suitable honor for their sacrifices, patriotism, gallantry and sufferings. 
One of these honored veterans is Henry J. Brademeyer, whose active and use- 
ful life furnishes the material for this brief biographical review. 

Henry J. Brademeyer was born April 6, 1846, in Burlington. Iowa, the 
son of William and Henrietta (Rotherl) Brademeyer, natives of Germany. 
William Brademeyer was born in the Fatherland in 1812 and came alone to 
America in 1828, locating first at Cincinnati, Ohio, where he engaged in 
draying for seven years, having been a shepherd and mail carrier before 
leaving his native land. Subsequently he removed to Louisville, Kentucky, 
remaining there for fifteen years, and then coming to New Albany, Indiana, 
he was employed as a watchman for three years. While residing in Louis- 
ville, William Brademeyer was married to Henrietta Rotherl, who came 
from Germany to America in 1830, first residing at Wheeling, West Virginia, 
later at Cincinnati, Ohio, and finally at Louisville. In 1836 Mr. Brademeyer's 
father and mother removed to Burlington, Iowa, where he drove a stage and 
engaged in draying until 1848, when they went overland to California, and 
in the Golden state the elder Brademeyer drove pack mules for the miners 
and hauled provisions for a period of three years. They then returned to 
Burlington, Iowa, and in 1854 removed to Nauvoo, Illinois. Establishing his 
family comfortably here, William returned to California and engaged in 
hauling lumber between Sacramento and San Francisco, making his head- 
quarters at Sharkey Flats. He spent three years and seven months at this 
occupation, and in 1858 he rejoined his family at Dubois, Indiana, they hav- 
ing removed to that place in 1856. Here he engaged in farming the remainder 
of his life, he and his wife dying in the same year. To them were born the 
following children: Amanda, of St. Louis, Missouri; Caroline, of Minneapo- 
lis, Minnesota; John and Henry were twins and John is living in Huntings- 
burg, Indiana; William H. of Pokers Point, Arkansas; Josephine, of Hunt- 
ingsburg, Indiana ; John Wesley and Margaret were twins and both are de- 
ceased; Henry J., with whom this narrative deals, 

Mr. Brademeyer's early education was acquired under the most adverse 
circumstances, he being compelled to walk about four miles to school. Re- 
maining on the home farm until he reached his majority, in the fall of 1863 
he enlisted in Company M, Tenth Indiana Volunteer Cavalry, his brother, 
John, joining the same company. From Louisville, Kentucky, the company 



GIBSON COUNTY. INDIANA. IO73 

was sent to Nashville and Pulaski, Tennessee, and then to Decatur and 
Stevenson, Alabama, where he did a great deal of guard duty. From this 
point tlu-y were dispatched first to Athens, Alabama, then to Pulaski and 
Gravel Railroad, near Nashville, Tennessee, and were in all the battles and 
skirmishes in which the Sixteenth Army Corp iged, spending the 

winter at Gardner Springs. At the end of this trying period they were sent 
by boat to Vicksburg and then to New Orleans. From there they crossed 
the Gulf of Mexico on the transport "George Peabody" to Alabama and in- 
vading the northwestern part of Florida, where they took part in the siege 
of Spanish Fort. Later they were in the siege and capture of Fort Blakely. 
They then came back north through the northern part of Florida and south- 
ern Georgia and Alabama and finally crossed the Tallahama river at George- 
town, Georgia. They were at the lath when they heard the news of 
the assassination of Abraham Lincoln. From Georgetown they went to 
Montgomery, Alabama, and thence to Columbus. They then went to Vicks- 
burg, Mississippi, where their horses were turned in and they did guard duty 
for four months, at the end of which period their command was mustered 
out of the service. 

At the close of the war Mr. Brademeyer and his brother John went to 
Dubois county, Indiana, and fanned for several years, subsequently learning 
the brick mason's trade at Holland, Indiana. John married Lottie Still well 
and engaged in agricultural pursuits in Pike county, Indiana, which he fol- 
lowed for several years, and then went to Holland, Indiana, and worked at 
In- trade, later locating at Huntingsburg, where he now resides. 

In 1871 Mr. Brademeyer went to Pike county. Indiana. He married 
Mary F. White, of Warrick county. Indiana, the daughter of Henry and 
Nancy I Long) White, of near Boonville. Her father was a member of I 
panv K, Fifty-eighth Indiana Volunteer Infantry, and died while in the serv- 
ice. His wife passed away in her fifty-fifth year. To Mr. Brademeyer and 
wife were born: William, who married Emma Moure, and lives in Cairo. 
Illinois, where he follows the trade of miller; Alice, the wife of Robert Ken- 
die, of Princeton; Nancy, who married William Wilges, both deceased; Flat- 
tie, the wife of Jesse Starky, of Peru. Indiana; David, who married Annie 
Fields, is a fireman at the electric light plant at Princeton. 

After his marriage Mr. Brademeyer farmed in Pike county. Indiana, 
for four years and then removed to New Port. Arkansas, and later to Green- 
ville. Missouri, where he engaged in agriculture, subsequently returning to 
Indiana and locating at Holland. Dubois county, where he engaged in team- 



1074 GIBSON COUNTY, INDIANA. 

ing and later worked at his trade as a brick mason. While in Holland he 
served as deputy sheriff two terms and also as constable for nine years. In 
November, 1892, Mr. Brademeyer came to Princeton, Gibson county, and 
bought his present home at 629 East Christian street, since then working at 
his trade. 

In political affairs, Mr. Brademeyer has always given his support to the 
Republican party. He keeps posted on current events, is a man of excellent 
memory and is remarkably well preserved for his age. 



SAMUEL NATHAN KNOWLES. 

Among the representative • farmers of Gibson county is Samuel N. 
Knowles, who is the owner of two hundred and eighty-seven acres of fine 
land in Montgomery township, Gibson county, and is carrying on the various 
departments of his enterprise with that discretion and energy which are sure 
to rind their natural sequence in definite success. He has always been a hard 
worker, a good manager and a man of economical habits, and, being fortu- 
nately situated in a thriving farming community, it is no wonder that today 
he stands in the front rank of the agriculturists of this favored community. 

Samuel Nathan Knowles. who has been eminently successful in the pur- 
suit of agriculture in Montgomery township, this county, and who has at- 
tained a relative degree of prominence in his county by faithful public service, 
was born June 3, 1864, near Mounts Station in Montgomery township, on 
the southeast quartei tion 23 and is today living on this same site. He 

is the son of John Lowery and Patsy (Montgomery) Knowles, his father 
being born in Gibson county on the same section of land where Samuel A. 
now lives. His mother, who was a daughter of Colonel William Montgom- 
ery, was born about three miles south of Owensville. 

John Lowery Knowles, who was born March 1, 1823, was reared near 
where Mounts Station is now located, and was the son of James Knowles by 
his second wife, being the only child of that marriage, while James Knowles 
had a numerous family by his first wife. James Knowles came to Gibson 
county in the early pioneer days, when Indians were thick in this community, 
selected the land he desired and received his government patent, dated De- 
cember 23, 1815, making over to him the southeast quarter of section 23, 
as above stated. On this land James Knowles and wife passed the re- 
mainder of their lives, and were laid to rest near Mounts Station, where their 
tombstones can still be seen, giving dates of birth and death. 



NTY, INDIANA. 

ry Knowles passed his boyhood on his father's farm, assisting 
in clearing the land and establishing comfortable surroundings, and on No- 
vember 15, 1846, was united in marriage to Patsy Montgomery, who was 
born .May 4, 1828, daughter of William Montgomery and I StoneJ 

Montgomery. Her father was born in 1801, the second child of Joseph 

ntgomery, Sr., and \ m in the early his the 

state. He was a colonel in the early state militia, was county commissioner 
from 1837 to 1842 and ber of tl Legislature 1843-4. . 

was an extremely tine looking man. of excellent hearing and dignity, and was 

sessed of unusual shrew nd ability home was near 1 

ville, where he carried on farming in addition to his public duties. 

After his marriage in 1846, John Lowery Knowles settled down near 
.Mounts Station 23, where he carried on farming tin 

life. His death occurred October 17, 1005, in his eighty-third year. Th 

re fifteen children horn to fohn Lower) Knowles and wifi 

died in childh 1 and tin- other ten grew to maturity and made hoi 

themselves. ( )f these, Cor of 1 larvey 1 .1 

county con rn end of Montgomery townsh 

• irv lives on seel Station; Nathan lives in the north- 

west quarter of seel 

same section; .Vina is the v. ibout a mile west of 

the old Knowles homestead, The mother is still living and makes her home 
with her children. 

At the death of his father. John Lowery Knowles in- 

herited from his estate of tine farm land, to which he added 

from time to time, until at hi- deatl 

acres of line land. He was an excellent man. full of life and enerj 
sessed of unusual business ability. Hi E happy temperament hly 

appreciated a good joke. Desirii him, he instituted a 

operative system 

and theS shared in the hen their 1111 

w hich pi '">' arrangement all around. While 

active man in church circle-. ded public worsli 

his life were mm the highest 

Samuel Nathan Knowles remained with his father until his marriage in 
[886 to Mary Zerelda Martin, who was born in the southern part of Mont- 
gomery township. Gibson county, a daughter of William Asbury and Pa- 
tience (Knowles) Martin. She was horn and reared on 51 
and her father before her was horn and retired on the - his 



I"7 ; GIBSON COUNTY, INDIANA. 

father being the original owner of the land. At his father's death, the mother 
and rest of the- family removed to Illinois, while William Asbury bought the 
home farm and passed the remainder of his life there. He had one hundred 
and sixty acres in one tract and fifty-eight in another. Mrs. Knowles is one 
of ten children in the Martin family, five of whom are still living. Philip and 
John are farmers in Montgomery township; Ed lives at Lincoln, Nebraska; 
Julius resides at Buckskin, about nine miles east of Fort Branch, Indiana. 
Patience (Knowles) Martin, the mother of Mrs. Knowles, was reared just 
west of the Black River school in Montgomery township and was the daugh- 
ter of Edward Knowles and wife. 

After his marriage in 1886, Samuel Nathan Knowles continued to assist 
his father in his work for some four or five years, at which time he desired 
to possess land for himself and purchased from his father the northwest 
quarter of section 23, where he has since resided. This particular 
tract of land is what was known in the early days as the Hullam Jones place. 
The land was entered by Jones, who had a grist mill there in pioneer days. 

Mr. Knowles is much interested in politics and gives his stanch support 
to the Democratic party. In 1902 he was nominated for county treasurer by 
his party against F. D. S. Knowles and. though he made an excellent race, 
he met defeat owing to the fact that it was a Republican victory clear through. 
However, he made an enviable record for himself in that he reduced the 
nominal Republican majority of some four hundred to ninety-four, and con- 
siders that he broke the backbone of the Republican strength. The salient 
point in his campaigning was his advocating that the interest on all county 
funds should revert to the county treasury, and this principle has since been 
adopted. 

Mr. Knowles is of the finest type of manhood, honest and upright, widely 
and favorably known. Into his business of general farming and the raising 
of good strains of live stock, he puts good judgment and business ability and 
success is inevitable. Mr. and Mrs. Knowles are members of the Methodist 
Episcopal church, to which they give liberally of time and means. Mr. 
Knowles' fraternal affiliation is with the time-honored body of Free and Ac- 
cepted Masons, and in this work he has attained to the council degree. Mr. 
Knowles is a busy man, but he finds time and opportunity to take an interest 
in matters pertaining to the progress and growth of the community and 
county, keeping abreast of the times on all questions of vital interest and 
being regarded by all as a leading citizen in the locality honored by his 
residence. 



ere 9 q iqKfl 



LIBRARY OF CONGRESS 



014 752 178 9 




